Week 17

Growing up digital wired for distraction is an interesting article. The journalist focuses on how the new generation is trapped between two worlds. I have several students who do the same. They stay up late, using technology, social media and watching you tube. Some students such as the one in the article cannot keep up with demanding classes and their virtual world. In the case of my students who have found their passion online their interests are sparked by the technology and they find themselves focusing on their interests and barely have time to deal with basic requirements. Should the school fit the new way people learn what they want to learn or should the kids be limited so they pay attention to grades and predesignated classes?

The article focuses on the typical view that a kid who goes to school must do well in all their classes and then work on outside topics of interest such as music, film, sports and socializing. In my opinion a kid such as the one in the article has already found their passion and has started pursuing it through tools available on the computer. From my experience it is OK to let this type of student go more into depth and study their passion, while learning the rest of the curriculum relative to their passion. If they are film buffs then use film to teach and learn with.  If they are good at programming then allow them to develop software and create new programs, apps and other software based creations. This does not mean the three R's must be abandoned but a balance can be met for the future actress, director, artist, business entrepreneur or programmer etc...

My Survey: I am intending on giving to my students the first week of class.
The idea is to design the course around the student.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/QP8LJXW