Lesson Two - 'Taking Technological Tools to a New Level'

Net Generation also known as N- Gen is defined by wikipedia as the generation that was born in the 1980's and 1990's and is marked by an increased use and familiarity with communications, media and digital technologies.
(Vicki's Classroom)
 Vicki Davis' interesting and innovative use of technology has shown us as educators that its time to get ready for the N-Gen students - prosumers of the next generation. Old school teaching as we know it has gone through the window as the pedagogical approaches change constantly. As Marbito and Medley outlined in http://www.innovateline.info/index.php?view=article&id=510 ; there are two important factors that will push the adoption of a pedagogy that can access the strengths of the N-Gen learning styles.

• Educators need to spend time in the learning space of the N-Gen learners to develop an understanding of how the N-Gen literacies and learning styles develop - Vicki has proven that this is possible by putting the educators' nightmare - the cellphone - to excellent use "http://www.youtube.com/v/aHKHVsAVVw8&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xd0d0d0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param

Who would have thought that cell phones could be such an effective teaching/learning tool?. I, for one, never thought cell phones could be so involved and multi-task so well. I was blown away! My use of the cell phone has been limited to texting and sending/receiving calls, to me it was one of the biggest distractions in schools but as Ms Davis stated; this is because we have never given constructive and productive uses of cell phones in the classroom.
   One of the goals of my school this year is to build a 'high-trust' classroom. In that respect we have been sharing this book ' The High Trust Classroom - Raising Achievement from the Inside Out' by Lonnie Moore. It presents many possibilities of how effective gaining your students trust can be to their academic progress. Earlier this week I was sharing with my students how important it is to build relationships and display the right attitude; explaining how this behavior will help/hinder them in the world of work. While I was sharing and hoping they were relating I couldn't help but reflect on Vicki's method in developing the professional student using appropriate Web 2.0 tools http://www.rememberthemilk.com/, http://www.jott.com/, http://www.timebridge.com/. These tools taught so many things - high on the list being responsibility, time management and accountability.
I am an avid believer of using differentiated instruction in the classroom and as a result have assigned one of my groups a digital poster using www.glosteredu This will be my first attempt at high tech but I was inspired by Wendy (My PLE) and after presenting the idea to my students; they are as excited as I am to try.
     As I perused the readings I focused a lot on the lists of web tools. I am fascinated. I was not aware that there is so much out there that educators can use to enhance their classroom and make the business of teaching more engaging. The 2008 Best Education Blog of the Year http://detensionslip.org is read by thousands of educators and I do believe another follower has been found. Too many educators believe that a powerpoint presentation is enough technology to capture our students - no wonder  'Why Professor Johnny Can't Read' https://blackboard.vcu.edu/@@/E5D503702831EE1314498A982220ECC4/courses/1/ADMS-647-C91-2010Fall/content/_2579496_1/Understanding%20the%20Net%20Generation%27s%20Texts.pdf