Reflective Blog #4

I love this section of the course regarding podcats.  I did not know it was so simple to create one.  This will be a huge advantage in training my unit members.

• Are you more comfortable composing documents online than longhand?  I prefer online because of the ability to spell check and edit the document in addition to sharing it (as in a wiki)
  
• Have you turned your "remembering" (phone numbers, meetings, and so on) over to a technology device? Without a doubt, YES!  I can't live without my smart phone.  I synchronize with my work computers and I rarely miss a meeting...birthday... or anniversary  :-)
   
• Do you go to meetings with your laptop or PDA?  Usually I take my smartphone
  
• Are you constantly connected? Is the Internet always on whether you are at home or work? Is your cell phone always with you? Yes
  
• How many different activities can you effectively engage in at one time?
  
• Do you play video or computer games?  Sometimes.  I'll play a game on my son's XBOX360.  I would not consider myself a "gamer"
  
  What generational category do you fall in or are you a mixture of a few?  I believe I am a mixture of a few categories.  I believe I am digitally literate and a non-traditional learner.
  
  
  This article focused on implications primarily for higher education; however, the characteristics for the Net Gen remain true for students in K12. What and how do we need to change?    I think we need to take advantage of the capabilities of the Next Gen student.  I feel that the basic structure of education is sound for the most part, however, we should make learning available everywhere.  Think of it as "Education & Training on Demand".  We can order a movie, watch some of it, pause it, and finish it later.  Education can be the same way.  Imagine a student able to review notes from a previous class a year later.  Imagine the ability to podcast a lecture and being able to rewind until you can comprehend it.