[1] What does the world (of digital natives) that I refer to in the session description really look like? That is, what are its features? What are its spaces and places? What are its opportunities and challenges?

our 21st century learners

Webkinz Article

Toy =

Social Network

Wharton legal studies professor whose son and daughter have Webkinz pets, says Webkinz has "powerful" appeal to kids because "it has both a personal dynamic -- you have to take care of your pet -- and a communal dynamic, where you interact with others."Webkinz is "taking that play experience that kids are already having and leveraging the potential of the Internet to facilitate that more extensively," he adds. "The online service of Webkinz is an opportunity to play with other kids any time you want -- and with a broader universe of friends."

Game = Social Learning Experience *

Gaming embeds all of theattributes of Howard Gardner's (2007) five minds for the future:

the disciplined mind, the synthesizing mind, the creative mind, the respectful mind, and the ethical mind.

Games can do something else, as well. Game scenarios can branch, so content is no longer confined to linear structures, as so many learning experiences are in our traditional formal educational settings. If, as evidence shows, experiential learning engages the mind and teaches learners to do and to be more effectively than the linear application of content so frequently used today, games with an educational orientation can become powerful tools in and out of the formal classroom. (p6-7)

Concerns

•Privacy•Sustained Focus•Discriminating Consumer•Ethical Producer•Empathetic Participant

[2] How do you think parents can best help/support/guide/collaborate with their children in this brave new world? And what is a parent's role in this new world?

enter the

21st century

Appropriate progression

Join

together

Let

them lead

safe environment

address internetsafety

the bulletin board

easy media uploads

develop class

guidelines

develop home

guidelines

Partnership with school

[3] What direction do you believe schools could and should be moving in—in the context of these emerging technologies?

engage students

student centered

build leadership skills

make personal connections

create groupsof learners

groups connect classrooms

differentiate

focusconversations

threaded

forum discussions

quality questioning

deeper thinking

track discussions

share

highlights

Make Learningtransparent

personal reflection space

MetaCognition

individual space within community

Image Sources (Creative Commons License) in slide order:

1. green dew: http://flickr.com/photos/ecstaticist/1337749333/2. Comic: http://itmanagement.earthweb.com/img/2008/02/notime.jpg3. Map: http://www.academiccommons.org/files/map.png4. Baby with iPhone: http://flickr.com/photos/paulm/1584418819/5 & 6 & 36. overlook: http://flickr.com/photos/thomashawk/100050220/5 & 15 & 36. gears: http://flickr.com/photos/tallkev/256810217/5 & 28 & 36. blocks: http://flickr.com/photos/apoptotic/2540055580/7. student with headphones: http://flickr.com/photos/shapeshift/863399948. traffic cone: http://flickr.com/photos/stupz/2375405141/9. cupcakes: http://flickr.com/photos/goodthings/314937703/10. birds: http://flickr.com/photos/deapeajay/2694162918/11. night fence: http://flickr.com/photos/thomashawk/290555514/12. lifeguards: http://flickr.com/photos/twoblueday/1082586636/13. parachute: http://flickr.com/photos/suhajdab/356847135/14. girl with computer: : http://flickr.com/photos/kamaji/1434567124/16. ski lift: Image from: http://flickr.com/photos/smcgee/226797559/17. bowling shoes: http://flickr.com/photos/cheesygarlicboy/2227126713/18. bridge: http://flickr.com/photos/hamed/207210147/19. spotlight: http://flickr.com/photos/jcrojas/24318089/20. thread: http://flickr.com/photos/hippie/2439322634/in/set-72157600373531672/21. ponder: http://flickr.com/photos/striatic/2144933705/22. ocean: http://flickr.com/photos/24845415@N03/2576971870/23. footprints: http://flickr.com/photos/jamoker/186982771/24. highlighters: http://flickr.com/photos/mk1971/2003599738/25. reflection: http://flickr.com/photos/ecstaticist/1415725079/26. peacock: http://flickr.com/photos/ecstaticist/442379434/27. arrow: Image from: http://flickr.com/photos/b-tal/116220689/29. blocks: http://flickr.com/photos/vermininc/2222339993/30. baby running: Image from: http://flickr.com/photos/ozyman/148793655/31. lock and fence: http://flickr.com/photos/darwinbell/448605088/32. yellow door: http://flickr.com/photos/karamanis/110723015233. family sunset: http://flickr.com/photos/alexbip/306815748/34. sunset jump: http://flickr.com/photos/frankloohuis/461817601/35. ducks: http://flickr.com/photos/eggplant/3163804/