Earlier this year, we talked about our Vision 2020, with a focus on providing the tools to today’s students that they will need in the year 2020 when they graduate high school. We have introduced the Upper Elementary students to Google Docs, using Word Processors, Spreadsheets and Presentation Programs. They are experimenting with sharing of documents to collaborate on projects and stories. The Middle School students have learned to manage calendars, coordinate schedules, and combine tools to research the costs and activities for their school trip.
One of the opportunities we are presented with in Today’s technology world is when do we open student’s minds to creating, not just using, these tools. The following is a TED talk about just this dilemma
Young people today have lots of experience … interacting with new technologies, but a lot less so of creating [or] expressing themselves with new technologies. It’s almost as if they can read but not write.” (Mitch Resnick)