Online Identity

Having begun reading the book Born Digital by Palfrey and Gasser, I find it interesting that he tackles the 'mystery' of why so many young people choose to reveal so much public information on the internet, whereas digital immigrants (older people) are baffled by this. As I consider how much my students are willing to share with each other off the web, I see the search for identity that is ever present for young people, as a constant experimentation with pictures, friends, videoclips and attempts at a variety of different "personalities"--all of which are part of the same person. Perhaps through such a public search for who they are they want to find other, like-minded individuals and know they are not alone...

Cell phones... in the classroom?

Most schools have students power down their cell phones when the enter school and have strict policies to take them if they are used during class. They are a distraction. They can be used to cheat on tests. They are completely useless in the classroom...or are they? Recently, a few of our staff have started using the website: http://www.polleverywhere.com/ to create formative assessment polls for their classrooms. Since most students have unlimited texting, they have found that the instant feedback they receive from using this is every bit as valid as the 4 button clicker system the school has just purchased for use--only it is a lot cheaper and they can access it anytime they want to, without reserving it ahead of time. This use is sure to draw some controversy. Ultimately, though, isn't it useful to tap a technology students readily handle in a positive way, instead of simply leaving students disconnected?

Cheap Technology

As school budgets continue to be tight (and possibly shrink), finding inexpensive ways to incorporate 'digital native' technology connections is becoming a very important undertaking. Today I had the opportunity to work with Craig Parker, our science teacher and technology experimenter. He brought down a Wii remote, a dongle and a pen and in about 5 minutes had a whiteboard set up on my screen. The technology cost is around $50, but the possibilities with it are endless. With such a simple set up, it looks to be an excellent tool that the kids will take to...I'm interested in trying it!