But, as we return to our campuses, we fight with our students in getting them to use their technology to enhance their learning versus enhancing their social networks. What is the difference between these two settings? Choice? Definitely; Relevance? oh yeah; intrinsic motivations? yes; maturity? maybe?? (HA); Independent learners? not any more than a ms/hs student. These are tough engagement questions we tackle with our teachers on a daily basis as we plan instruction for our students. And there are many things that keep us tied up or in the box: time (that's one you've heard, I'm sure),state/federal guidelines, an established curriculum (from a many times retweeted quote from the day), community expectations and probably others. Maybe what we need to focus on the things that we ask teacher to do after a PD session or that all those lovely people at NASSP, with their faces buried in their device of choice, fully engaged in their learning: what is the small piece we can go out, use and apply in our daily. Phil Schlechty would tell us that there is an ebb and flow to engagement. There are many of those small steps that we put in place to keep students and their devices in the strategic and authentic engagement areas.
Thank goodness for Twitter and the PLN for bringing the learning to my living room!!
Blessings
B