Friday, November 26, 2010

Growing up Digital

Lots to think about in this New York Times article from Nov. 21st.

Three things that stood out, for me, are as follows:

- In the face of available technological distractions, some students are not doing as well as they could in traditional subjects, but they are achieving highly in digitally creative areas. These creative areas are, arguably, where the jobs of the future are. Students value work that they feel is applicable to their futures.

- New social groups are emerging in schools, defined by what aspects of available technology the students choose to use most. The categories of jock, drama kid, and intellectual student are being replaced by "gamer," "texter," "Facebook addict," and "YouTube poster."

- "Down time is to the brain what sleep is to the body." In a multi-tasking, always-on age, we need to make time away from stimulation in order to allow our brains time to process and remember.

Your comments & thoughts?

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Sir Ken & Education: Animated!

Another bang-on speech (animated!) by Sir Ken Robinson around the problems with the education system today. Note the focus on sharing & collaboration: insert Web 2.0 here!