

Connecting with Twenty-first century students, truly understanding what motivates them and what their interests are, can be challenging and perplexing; especially if you do not have children of your own around that age (ahem, me). We need to work harder to find out their interests, as they change as quickly as technology has been advancing. However, The Teacher Chronicles, a site for teachers that puts out online articles, addresses some basic steps you can take to begin to understand where most of your students are coming from in terms of the world in w
hich they are growing up. This particular article addresses basic steps teachers can take in order to better relate to the students they teach. My personal favorite is #18: "Get a new mobile phone. Your phone from 2006 is too old." Until recently, most of my fifth (and third graders last year) had better phones than me.

I also stumbled across a very interesting artcle from Edutopia that addresses the difference of how today's students brains have been trained the intake of information, and subsequently what teachers around the country are doing to tap into that learning style. It is a long article, but worth the read.
You have two options for this week's post (you can address option 1 or option 2 or both).
Option 1:
Read the article from
Option 2:
Read the article from Edutopia and tell us about something interesting you learned from the article and how it might impact your teaching style and/or how you relate to your students.
Samantha Watkins · 781 weeks ago
denise strom · 781 weeks ago
One thing I've discovered with my students, is that they are much more tech savvy than I am. "Technology" is not a foreign language to them...they were born into this era. Most folks my age or older have had to "learn" it all, while the students were born immersed in it.
While I feel like I can find my way around You Tube, I've learned that my students are much better at it than I am. Whenever I've tried to show something, I inevitably have a student helping me out. I plan to practice and get better at this so that I can be more efficient with my class time.
Ruth Cerna · 781 weeks ago
Beth Belmondo · 781 weeks ago
All in all I'm not too worried about keeping up with technology and my students' knowledge because I kind of grew up in this "era of technology." (Yes, I'm very young...) I do facebook and have played MMO's and know how to blog and text and search on the internet effectively, because my personal interests include those things. I won't pretend that I know everything that's out there, but I don't worry about losing touch or not being aware or able to learn new software/technology/trends because that's what I've always done. I think #2 on the list is the most important - BE INTERESTED and just listen to what your kids are talking about. It works with everything else too!
Susan N. · 781 weeks ago
cheryl · 781 weeks ago
I looked-up zoho from the 2.0 list. It was something that I have not used. Not sure I need it, but good to know how it works and that it's there if needed.
Kim Schmitz · 781 weeks ago
mark lange · 781 weeks ago
Diane M. · 780 weeks ago
Kari Weed · 780 weeks ago
DebbieO · 780 weeks ago
Rosemary · 780 weeks ago
Melissa Morlock · 780 weeks ago
Renae Hanson · 780 weeks ago
Teresa Eccles · 780 weeks ago
On a side note and not on topic, I was more than a bit concerned when I read this weekend about how much time children are engaged in electronic media. Between school and home students are packing in the hours. Most are multi-tasking so the hours are compounded. I know this seems rather un-techie but when do these kids play outside???? I am including this comment in my post because I feel it shows even more that as teachers we need to get the most out of the time we have our students "plugged in" so they have time left over to feel the grass under their feet.
Molly Klemkow · 780 weeks ago
I read through the Teacher Chronicles also and found that I have completed most on the list. One thing I have found in keeping up the always developing Tech World is that things become out of date fast. I just got a new phone last summer and already feel like I need a new one. I thought getting a keyboard was hip but now you need a touch screen :)
Thank You
Molly
Rachel Cragar · 780 weeks ago
Suz Chen · 780 weeks ago
In counseling, I've found that with some students who come in and don't want to talk, when I share that I've played Rockband or Halo it changes how they relate to me. Yes, I end up hearing a 15 minute spiel on why one video game is better than the next, but its worth it when it leads to more trusting relationships. I will definitely continue to try to keep a foot in the new and ever changing world of technology!
Tina McDaniel · 780 weeks ago
Amy Cassady · 780 weeks ago
Wendy Ward · 780 weeks ago
Mona · 780 weeks ago
Kim Fitzpatrick · 780 weeks ago
Jan Clemsen · 780 weeks ago
Teachers also mentioned that federal testing requirements took precedent over creating real world applications and engaging students using tools such as technology. Another negative associated with "high-stakes" testing. I still think some of these technology applications need professional filter. Yeah, lots of this stuff is great, Facebook, and shows I'm technologically literate. Does it make me a better person, more educated, more complex thinker. Who knows. I waste a lot of time when I'd rather be taking a walk or reading a BOOK!!! Must be getting late and time for bed.
Tenaya Williams · 780 weeks ago