While I write here about educational applications of technology, I typically do not have the opportunity to teach a course specifically focused on this topic. This situation is different this semester and I am likely to spin off a few blog posts as a consequence of my preparatory reading.<\/p>\n
I like to spend a little time at the beginning of my course to address the question of “what is it like out there.” The core idea is that we should not be willing to settle for our own perceptions but should be willing to explore a little in hopes of gaining a broader perspective. What is typical? What are the extremes? I try to come up with some quantitative representations (i.e., statistics) and the perspectives of some “advocates” to help students and I create personal understanding.<\/p>\n
I assume my students will be a little confused. While I am past the stage of assuming the research will provide me a clear picture of anything, I must admit I am also finding it difficult to “pull things together.” Here is an example. Students in my class and others they take within our program read some papers by those who describe a “Net Gen” (for example a recent edutopia piece by Marc Prensky<\/a>) basically suggesting that the experiences of “today’s students” have been quite different than our own and as a consequence these students will be frustrated by our reliance on traditional educational experiences. Extreme change is necessary.<\/p>\n