Thing 1

I like the idea of bridging the gap between how students live and how they learn. Many of the technologies discusssed (wikis, blogs, e-portfolios) appeal more to people my age (just turned 40--long live X) than to the digital learners under 18 with whom I work every day. They are far more enamored with iPhone Apps, Facebook quizzes and bittorrent grand theft audio/video. I worry that the digital learning revolution has succeeded in honing the core competencies of our best students, but failed to engage our most reluctant learners. They still "play school" every time we ask them to answer Ning prompts or collaborate on projects using Google Docs. They still live in a world completely foreign to the digital learning experience that we have tried to craft for them. Assignments are still assignments whether or not you get to use your phone or computer. There is a superficiality to the digital revolution so far that disturbs me. In very rare instances have I read posts or replies that resemble considered thought, measured argument or careful investigation. Instead, my students remain narcissistic and solipsistic. It's always about them and the rest of the world is fake. I want to contribute to initiatives that remedy this unrepentant and twittering Catcher in Rye worldview.