The Digital Generation

Please turn in your printed resume and your student information sheet at the beginning of class today.
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We are living in the digital generation -- today we'll learn about its native speakers and test drive some of its tools.

You read an article on Monday about "Weaving Technology into Teaching". What have you experienced as a K-12 student that would exemplify that weaving? What knowledge do you currently have about teaching and learning? About what technology integration looks like in a classroom? What technology skills do you already possess?
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We will be working in a "dual platform" lab this semester. You'll learn to use both Windows and Macintosh machines. You'll find that they are very similar - once you test drive them both.

It's important to set up an organized file structure on any storage device - from a 3-ring binder to your usb drive. We use two main folders in your usb drive for this course: an assignments folder and a portfolio folder. Everything you create in this course should immediately be saved to the assignments folder. If you are using your usb drive for other courses, you'll want to create folders for them as well. Usb drives are easy to lose, so you'll want to make sure to have a Word document named "Open if found" saved to your usb drive - it should include all of your contact information.
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How would you describe your future students? What type of learners will they be? What expectations will they have for their learning environment, for their teachers, for their community?

You'll be teaching the millenials -- or the digital generation. Marc Prensky is an educational speaker who discusses this generation in great detail. If you were born after 1982 - you are a part of this generation - you are a digital native. Most of your teachers were digital immigrants. What does that mean for education? Where does instructional technology fit?

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For Tuesday:
1. Read the articles by Clifford Stoll and Marc Prensky
2. View the Mabry Middle School website - find one example from the site that debunks and/or supports the ideas in the Stoll and Prensky articles. Just jot the example down so you''ll remember it for Tuesday.
3. Read the Roblyer chapter: "Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching"

Welcome to EDIT 2000!

The purpose of this course is to help you to explore the tools that can support teaching and learning in a P-12 classroom. As you learn about these tools you will focus on the educational processes that these tools support -- not the technical skills that you acquire. In other words, this is not a course about learning computer skills in isolation; it is a course that will encourage you to find appropriate uses for technological tools in the P-12 classroom.

In order to find and document these appropriate uses of technology, you will work independently, in partners, and in groups to prepare educational activities for specific curriculum topics. You will play the role of a classroom teacher and use your content knowledge, understanding of teaching and learning strategies, and your technology skills to develop real applications for the various tools explored during the semester. Your final product will be a web-based set of activities to teach specific curriculum objectives.

The instructor for your EDIT 2000 is Gretchen Thomas. The instructors for the 9:30 class are Gretchen Thomas and Peter Rich. The instructors for the 11:00 class are Gretchen Thomas and Jing Lin. The course website will give you all of the background information you need. The syllabus will give you specifics on what to expect during the semester. Know the syllabus well -- there could be a quiz!

The only materials you'll need for this course are a key drive and a 3-ring binder to keep track of handouts. We use Macintosh and Windows computers in this lab -- so you'll need to become familiar with both operating systems.

So, what does technology integration look like?Harrison County High School in Gulfport, Mississippi is a wonderful example of students and teachers using technology tools for learning. If that's not enough, see how Mary Scroggs Elementary School in Chapel Hill, North Carolina integrates technology to help younger children learn.

It's time to get started -- there is a background article I would like for you to read that gives you a bit of history about technology in education. I hope reading it will help you to understand what I think about technology's place in P-12 teaching and learning.

Most importantly, in order for me to learn more about you (and to get a head start on one or our first projects) you will need to submit a professional resume. This is due at the beginning of class Tuesday. You'll want everything to look professional, so use a resume template .
Please remember that your resume must include:

• Objective
• Grade Level and Subject Area you want to teach
• Education
• Work Experience
• Honors and Awards
• Computer Skills/Special Skills
• Personal Interests
• Professional References

If you have any questions, remember that I am always glad to help!