Chapter 9 Reflection-New Schools

We live in a generation of "digital natives." Students are consumed with the use of technology. Computers, video games and smart phones have taken over our everyday lives.  If we forget one of these devices, we will not be able to function for the day.  Children are less interested in using pen and paper, playing board games or even playing outside.  They would prefer to "log on" to the computer or video game or even download an app to play. This mass consumption of the use of technology is carrying over into our schools and into our classrooms. Teachers are feeling the pressure to gain and keep students' attention. More and more children are being labeled as having attention issues. Is this because they are not interested in the traditional style of teaching?  In Solomon and Schrum's book Web 2.0 new tools, new schools; they entertain the possibility of having "new schools." New Schools are the new way of thinking.  It is the new way of learning.  Technology is the driving force of new schools, but is all this technology beginning to harm our kids? Our students live in a social media world and they are use to interacting online.  It would be great if students could learn to use technology in moderation.  We as teachers want to facilitate and encourage them to be producers and collaborators instead of only consumers.  There needs to be balance in doing that.  In an article by David Warlick, The Day in the Life of Web 2.0, the transformation of a school with unlimited use of technology appears exciting. But I have to wonder, what is too much technology and how will it effect our students in the future?  These are a few of the questions I hope to find answers to through "powerful conversations" on this blog.

Welcome

I created this blog to look at the rise of ADHD. Many kids today suffer from short attention spans. Does technology help or harm these students when it comes to functioning in the classroom?