Digital Technology Summary

Well the last few months have been an interesting journey. I have researched many apps and websites. There are so many more to learn about. I would like to summarize what I have learned these last few months.

Some of my favorite apps and websites are the social media sites. These are helpful in sharing information. This is beneficial because this is where the students reside most of the time. In addition I love youtube. There is so much information on youtube. Need help with something go to youtube. This is great for students who need help with homework. QR codes are great for the classroom as they allow the students to get to sites quickly without fumbling through URLs and what not. I was interested in the blog readers as I was not aware of those before. They save so much time. I loved podcasts. This is a great way to give directions to students. Especially when students are on different levels and different assignments. The comic strips were also fun. There are so many applications there. The screen casts are beneficial but not my favorite but not necessary the worst either. They have a purpose to share directions with staff and students.

I was not so impressed with the online book communities. I can connect with other readers on Facebook. Those communities do have other things to offer but I just try to balance my digital and real world time. They were fun and interesting. I was not to fond of Instagram and Vine either. They seem like just another social media site to keep up with. However, they are important because again that is where the kids are.

All in all, the sites and apps I experimented with are good apps and have a real purpose. The trick is for each person to determine how they can best use each app or website to support and enhance the curriculum.

9 Things You Need to Know about Teens, Technology & Online Privacy

9 Things You Need To Know About Teens, Technology & Online Privacy. (2013, November 6). Retrieved November 18, 2015, from http://www.pewinternet.org/2013/11/07/9-things-you-need-to-know-about-teens-technology-online-privacy/ 

1. Teen internet use is becoming more mobile. Kids have Internet access on cell phones.

2. Teens are diversifying their social media portfolios. Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, etc.

3. Teens are sharing more information about themselves (So are adults).

4. Privacy norms vary by platform. This means the site determines what actually is private even if you chose the private mode.

5. Network size and composition matter. Students with lots of followers tend to have joined more social sites, have teachers as friends, more frequent users, and have "friended" people they have never met. 

6. For teens managing their social sites is "paramount," Their relationships and lives are closely connected to the Internet and the social media sites. Teens actually "manage" the account. They deal with "drama," deleting people, damage control of rumors, photos, and updates. This is time consuming.

7. Advertisers and others are not on the top of the mind of teens. Teens are interested in the relationships not the data that is shared.

8. Parents of online teens express a wide range of concerns. Parents are concerned about what people know about their children, future academics, employment, and reputation of their children.

9. Teens are turning to peers and parents for advice. Teens recognize the need for privacy and ask for advice. Many are turning to friends and their parents.

Here is what I learned......kids spend too much time managing accounts on social media. Encourage your kids to interact digitally but also encourage them to interact socially.

12 slides

Millennials and Libraries

Millennials and Libraries. (2014, April 9). Retrieved November 18, 2015, from http://www.pewinternet.org/2014/04/09/millennials-and-libraries/ 

1. Teens live in a different ecosystem.

2. Teens live in a different learning ecosystem.

3. Teens reading levels match/exceed adult levels.

4. Teens use libraries and librarians but do not love them as much.

5. Teens have different priorities in library services.

6. Teens will behave differently in the world to come.

7. The public and teachers recognize this and want libraries to adjust.

95% of teens use the Internet and 78% have cell phones. 

For this age group learning is a process not a transaction. Librarians must recognize this. Learning becomes more about a process rather than just giving information. 

So true.....

Look at the numbers on who is reading.....

Lets look at library usage:

So how is this impacting the classroom:

57% of teachers spend class time improving search skills. 

35% of teachers spend  class time devoted to explaining search engines.

Many teachers believe the curriculum needs changing to include digital literacy in today's classroom.

So students still need access to the library and librarians. However, the library must adapt to the changing needs of the students.

I believe as long as kids are reading that is what really matters. I say it doesn't really matter if they like digital books or books in print. For me, it depends on my mood. Just let them read. Exposure to all formats is always a good thing.

40 slides