My visit to Australia for the World Congress on Family Law & Children's Rights has been rich in hospitality and insight – I've had the privilege of talking with people in government, online-safety advocacy, industry, school (students!), primary and secondary education, research, of course many parents and grandparents, and even "Australia's Dr. Phil," as Michael Carr-Gregg has sometimes … [Read more...] about Australian teen panelists on social media: Meaty insights
online safety
Australian government gets digital advice from kids
Doesn't it just make sense? That government programs aimed at educating youth actually consult youth about what works for them? The Australian federal government is doing just that in what I hope becomes a model for other governments. "The Youth Advisory Group (YAG) on Cybersafety program for 2013 has been launched [this week] with the first online discussion forum taking place with primary school … [Read more...] about Australian government gets digital advice from kids
Designing students: Check out these contests (learning opps)!
These are projects that get young people and classrooms participating in the digital maker movement: Current or aspiring videogame designers and videographers have about a month to submit their creations to three different contests: The National STEM Videogame Challenge, Whyville's game design contest, and Trend Micro's What's Your Story video producing contest. Design a videogame Videogame … [Read more...] about Designing students: Check out these contests (learning opps)!
More signs that what works offline works online too
I keep seeing research evidence that "what goes around, comes around" online too. We think of it as common sense in the face-to-face world, but it's becoming pretty evident online too. There's safety in respect for self and others wherever it's shown, including in digital spaces. Here are three examples in the research, starting with a just-released study: Positive begets positive online too. … [Read more...] about More signs that what works offline works online too
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