Archive for August 2009

Digital Natives vs. Digital Immigrants

As I listen to these terms become part of the mainstream educational conversation, I can’t help but hate the terms more. The reason I say this is because it is disappearing.  The age piece to this is no longer a valid argument.   Sitting in Chris Harris’ presentation, I can’t help but agree with him on the point that there are kids who are “digital immigrants” and there are senior citizens that have become digital natives.  It is not about your age but rather about the frame of mind that you approach life, problem solving, socializing, creation, expression, etc.  Mr. Harris showed the group many interesting web sites for new tools teachers and students can use easily to produce online content.  If there is one tool he showed that helps bring many things together and makes it personal yet public if desired is netvibes.com.    Hopefully I can get people motivated to use similar tools tomorrow during my session for Collaboration: Wikis, web 2.0

CASE Convention 2009

I just got back from the 40th Annual CASE convention with Mark Strakbein, Eric Mandeville, and Mike King.  What a great couple days!  We really came away with loads of great ideas and energized to start the school year and what’s nice is we still have some time this year to get ready.  With the construction calendar, and extended summer there is time left for some reflection on the conference and a bit more relaxation then we will hit the ground running for the 2009-2010 school year.  At the CASE convention I participated in the following break out sessions:

  • The Networked Student with Cathleen Nardi
  • Fast Track to 1 to 1: How to Get Laptops in the Hands of Students in Under Nine Months with Keith Ouweneel and Bob Harr
  • Commisioner Dwight Jones panel discussion
  • Navigating the Technology Needs of our 21st Century Learners panel discussion with Randy Weldon, Kim McMonagle, Ed Freeman, Ben Starzer, Dave Williamson, and Denise Atkinson-Shorey
  • 21st Century Education: Putting it in Action with Alex Carter

The keynote speakers at the convention were outstanding with Bertice Berry, Meg Wheatley, and Flip Flippen.  Truly a great experience and it makes me look forward to the next one!

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