"More and more of society at large, and consequently many students, are demanding an educational system that works for and with them," wrote high school math teacher Paul Bogdan in Edutopia (emphasis mine). "A student-centered learning environment encourages students to become independent learners and ultimately to be in charge of their own education." Student-centered learning just makes sense … [Read more...] about The benefits of agency, choice, and student-centered learning
agency
Teens & social media: Parents’ other job
An interesting myth about social media is the one about tension between teen privacy and teen safety. Because of all the scary messaging about the Internet that has been in circulation for almost two decades, many parents seem to believe it's their job to monitor their children's Net use closely. The assumption is that privacy (from parents) jeopardizes their safety. That assumption deserves to … [Read more...] about Teens & social media: Parents’ other job
Making Digital Learning Day meaningful
"Powered up, self-directed students" using digital tools "to lead their learning" is how Leslie Wilson, CEO of the One to One Institute describes what Digital Learning Day (today, Feb. 6) needs to be about in her commentary "Connected Students and Agency." It's that blend of agency (self-directed participation or action) and connected technology that New York Times columnist Tom Friedman says has … [Read more...] about Making Digital Learning Day meaningful
What the Net privacy big picture has to do with parenting
It's no wonder parents and schools aren't sure where their policies start and stop when it comes to online interaction among young people who could be in any home, any school, any community or even country. Governments – whether local, state, or national – aren't sure either. More than ever, "jurisdiction" and "regulation," whether a family's or a national government's, is no longer either/or, no … [Read more...] about What the Net privacy big picture has to do with parenting
Digital citizenship the ‘killer app’: How
Elaborating on my comments last week at the annual Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI) conference in Washington, D.C. (11/10/10).... Digital citizenship is the killer app of online safety – if (big if) we don't complicate it too much. A big if because those of us who did not grow up in the current media environment (the ones who create terms like this and implement programs around them) tend … [Read more...] about Digital citizenship the ‘killer app’: How