"The Networked Student"

After viewing "The Networked Student" again, I have to admit that I have scruples about my students being the self-starters they need to be in order to be successful as a networked student. I have so many students, even today, who will sit and wait for me to lead them through the searching process because they "don't know what to do." It is frustrating, to say the least, when I give specific instructions and then have to go and lead the students by the hand through a project to get any productivity.

I do believe the students can be networked learners, but need strategies to help teach them those first baby steps. I can show the students how to set up a blog or a wiki, but enticing them to use it is a different can of beans!

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Comment by Nancy Bosch on March 9, 2009 at 5:07pm: I agree, I think some tech-pushers over-estimate kids' motivation to use technology for more than txting, uploading videos, and downloading songs. Some tools are great but not intrinsically motivating, it takes a hard working teacher to inspire. (and that hard working teacher can inspire with books, TV, pencils whatever.)

Comment by Neil Stephenson on March 9, 2009 at 8:32pm: I agree with Nancy - I work in a school that is very tech-heavy. I've been a teacher in a 1:1 classroom for three years, and I think I incorporate a lot of emerging technology into my teaching. However, I find that most students are not that motivated to use their laptop to explore/create/learn on their own. And I also find that they aren't the digital natives that we often hear they are. They often struggle to understanding applications, and don't problem solve or troubleshoot naturally on their own.