Youth & Technology We Have Nothing to Fear We Can All Learn from Each Other By: William Breitsprecher

Impact on Youth Technology offers exciting opportunities Previous technology offered same promises: Telephones Movies Radio Television

Technology offers exciting opportunities

Previous technology offered same promises:

Telephones

Movies

Radio

Television

Same Concerns Phones replace real interactions Movies expose children to questionable content Radio undermine reading, dull imagination TV causes withdrawal Nothing new with concerns many have about digital technology

Phones replace real interactions

Movies expose children to questionable content

Radio undermine reading, dull imagination

TV causes withdrawal

Rational Approach Put technology “back in the box”? Do opinions really matter? Each generation unique Youth are excited about Internet & digital technology

Put technology “back in the box”?

Do opinions really matter?

Each generation unique

Youth are excited about Internet & digital technology

Sharing is FUN! Collaborate Let kids show what they know Share ideas, projects Let them teach you Challenge them Do things together

Collaborate

Let kids show what they know

Share ideas, projects

Let them teach you

Challenge them

Do things together

Technology & Schools Ask children about technology in their schools Are they: Satisfied with opportunities? Enthusiastic about classes? Learning authentic skills? Why assess every other subject area, but not technology?

Ask children about technology in their schools

Are they:

Satisfied with opportunities?

Enthusiastic about classes?

Learning authentic skills?

Computers in School “ Problem-solving”, authentic assessments Computer labs have unique dynamics Teacher not center of instruction Truly “student-centered”; students engage themselves Possible to accommodate different needs, interests, skills Teacher can check with each student, one-on-on or in small groups

“ Problem-solving”, authentic assessments

Computer labs have unique dynamics

Teacher not center of instruction

Truly “student-centered”; students engage themselves

Possible to accommodate different needs, interests, skills

Teacher can check with each student, one-on-on or in small groups

Authentic Assessment Productivity software (MS Office, StarOffice Suite Problem solving “ Real-world” math, writing, presentation skills Collaborative, incorporate different views Edit, revise, “work-in-progress” Revisit with different styles and formats

Productivity software (MS Office, StarOffice Suite

Problem solving

“ Real-world” math, writing, presentation skills

Collaborative, incorporate different views

Edit, revise, “work-in-progress”

Revisit with different styles and formats

Access to Technology Source for all data: Center for Justice, Tolerance, and Community, Current Population Survey, 1984-2003 White Latino African American

Is There a Difference? 87.0% 79.1% 55.1% 42.3% 56.3% 42.5% 84.6% 73.3% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% White African American Latino Asian Home Computer Home Internet

Access & Income 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% <$10,000 $10,000- $20,000 $20,000- $40,000 $40,000- $60,000 >$60,000 White Black Latino

Digital Divide Reality is that access to technology is not equitable Not an excuse to ignore technology Good News! ALL youth are excited about technology Most are confident in abilities Provide opportunities for ALL students

Reality is that access to technology is not equitable

Not an excuse to ignore technology

Good News!

ALL youth are excited about technology

Most are confident in abilities

Provide opportunities for ALL students

Home & School Access Home Internet Schools with Internet Home Computer Public Labs with Internet

Using What We Have Most schools can do more with technology More and more libraries & community centers offering access More work to be done

Most schools can do more with technology

More and more libraries & community centers offering access

More work to be done

Technology@Club TNT Use media of entertainment to inform and educate Youth produced PSA Many online resources at www.clubtnt.org Evaluating adding more interactive, social network

Use media of entertainment to inform and educate

Youth produced PSA

Many online resources at www.clubtnt.org

Evaluating adding more interactive, social network

clubtnt.org/webseminar TNT Web to share computer skills Internet and Web design, graphics Embedding other media Outline basics of many information literacy and technology skills Links resources, tutorials

TNT Web to share computer skills

Internet and Web design, graphics

Embedding other media

Outline basics of many information literacy and technology skills

Links resources, tutorials

MORE than Software Use technology with other media, art forms Digitally record forensic, debate, theater, dance, music Photograph or scan other artwork

Use technology with other media, art forms

Digitally record forensic, debate, theater, dance, music

Photograph or scan other artwork

Get Involved! Everyone does not need to be an “expert” Share interests & enthusiasm Collaborating is fun, rewarding Build sharing, caring relationships Technology is great way to reach out, connect

Everyone does not need to be an “expert”

Share interests & enthusiasm

Collaborating is fun, rewarding

Build sharing, caring relationships

Technology is great way to reach out, connect

It Makes a Difference High School Graduation Rates for 11th Graders with and without Home Computers

Adjusted Differences Difference in High School Graduation Rates for Children with and without Home Computers

Connecting Youth Many factors at work – more than just computers at home Show you care & share Demonstrate willingness to learn, open-minded attitudes Make a difference, one youth at a time We can all help Share positive attitudes about technology

Many factors at work – more than just computers at home

Show you care & share

Demonstrate willingness to learn, open-minded attitudes

Make a difference, one youth at a time

We can all help

Share positive attitudes about technology