How to engage the net generation

Exposure to IT begins at very young ages. Children age six or younger spend an average of two hours each day using screen media (TV, videos, computers, video games), which nearly equals the amount of time they spend playing outside (1:58 hours versus 2:01 hours). Both significantly exceed the amount of reading time (39 minutes). Half of the children in this age group have used a computer; among 4-to-6-year-olds, 27 percent spend over an hour a day (1:04) at the keyboard. “It’s not just teenagers who are wired up and tuned in, it’s babies in diapers as well.” While earlier generations were introduced to information through print, this generation takes a digital path.3
Home digital media use (computer, games, Internet) is approaching the amount of time spent watching TV. Thirteen-to-17-year-olds average 3.1 hours a day watching TV and 3.5 hours with digital media. Note that students may use more than one medium at a time.

from Educating the Net Generation
Diana G. Oblinger and James L. Oblinger, Editors

 

Today I spent some time at an ACEL conference in Parramatta. I don’t always approach these with many expectations, but this was an excellent day (not just because it involved IT)

We listened to a Canadian called Michael Furdyk. He is one of our NET generation, having been born in 1982.

Much of what he spoke about revolved around engagement of our modern students in a not so modern education system.

 

How can you give meaning and relevance to what they do?

As a 19 year old he was one of the founders of www.takingITglobal.org

TakingITGlobal.org is an online community that connects youth, to find inspiration, access information, get involved, and take action in their local and global communities. It’s the world’s most popular online community for young people interested in making a difference, with hundreds of thousands of unique visitors each month.

He wasn’t your typical IT Nerd his work and ideas can be easily used by us in social justice issues, equity and understanding. He enables connectedness and the process seems to provide meaning to many people.

Have a look at this game that has been developed for school use. 

Working with youth leaders at South Shore High School, Global Kids and Gamelab have developed Ayiti, a role-playing video game in which the player assumes the roles of family members living in rural Haiti.

We need to be aware of these issues, it wont be long before laptops are a fact of life for all students, they have these resources at home and they will expect relevant use at school.

What If Every Child Had a Laptop – and Nothing Changed?

Have a look at this article from the Anytime Anywhere Learning Foundation

Watch this space for more…..