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Teaching the Digital Generation: No More Cookie-Cutter High Schools
The authors show how traditional industrial-type high schools have failed to meet students′ learning needs and explore ten alternative high school models that address 21st-century skills.
280 pages, Paperback
First published September 9, 2008
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July 1, 2010
What stood out most for you in the book? Use a quoted passage if possible.
Teaching the Digital Generation encourages teachers, students, administrators, curriculum directors and school architects to think outside of the box when it comes to education. As the title states the authors focus on how teach the new “Digital Generation” The authors require us to rethink the way we teach and refine our methods of teaching in order to reach the “Digital Generation”. Our current methods of teaching are not effective for the students of today and thus we must embrace the new technology and methods of teaching for our students. I’ve heard many refer to our traditional methods of teaching as routine and mundane. What stood out the most for me is the fact that our traditional teaching methods are no longer accurate, but are still commonly used. “The world of work is automating rapidly, and routine work of all kinds is disappearing. Tomorrow’s workers will survive on their unique talents, plus their ability to innovate, create, market, and sell their ideas in the global marketplace. They will probably be self-employed, even if they work under contract for a large corporation. (Worzel, 2006, p.7) This essentially sums up the entire emphasis of the book, that each student is in fact unique and has a variety of learning goals and methods. As educators we must do what is necessary to help them learn individually. Furthermore, an emphasis on online or flexible learning environments will be essential for student success. “Online learning will become an integral part of all students’ education, regardless of the type of school they attend, and will provide opportunities to augment the instruction that the school provides….But educators have not widely recognized this development because they don’t really participate in this digital world and because this type of learning is not found in traditional subjects taught in schools.” (p. 212).
Why did this passage stand out for you?
These passages stood out for me for a couple of reasons. Just because we have taught the same class or lecture for the past twenty years, does not mean we are doing it successfully. Many teachers don’t have an idea of what technologies are available or even what students’ are using outside of the classroom. Our students need interaction between teachers and peers in order to solidify the learning process. The authors did an excellent job of attempting to address issues that impede learning of the digital generation. Second, we must acknowledge that the world is changing and change is hard. Technology has forced us to change and adapt in the past and generally that makes us more productive and safe members of society. As an example, look at the technology advancements in automobiles as the authors do. We now have reliable modes of transportation, as result of technology advancements. Educators must learn new technologies and teaching methods in order to be successful. Our schools need tools and technologies that students can relate to. We can provide much of our education via online tools such as Skype, Moodle, and SecondLife.
What implications do you think this will have on students and learning?
Given the fact that we are in somewhat unchartered territory with teaching the digital generation, we can’t be certain what the exact implications will be. However, it’s clear that we must modify our current ways. As the authors mention in the book, learning will be available 24/7. We can customize education for our students which will definitely help encourage learning. In addition, the way we operate and function in schools will be impacted. We will expect our teachers and students to use digital learning devices in the classroom, instead of banning them. Furthermore, the way we structure our schools could be impacted. For instance, the typical school day may not be from 8-3. The roles and responsibilities could certainly be shifted.
Discuss the theme of the book. Give us some background on what the book addresses. Try to highlight the main idea and the supporting details of the book
The main focus of this book is to get the audience to understand that our traditional schools and teaching methods are outdated. “America’s high schools are obsolete…By obsolete, I mean that our high schools, even when they’re working exactly as designed, cannot teach our kids what they need to know today.” (Gates, 2005). Throughout this book the authors do a wonderful job of providing resources and examples of how teaching the digital generation will impact everyone in education. For instance, the book describes how the roles of teachers, administrators, guidance counselors and even school architects can be impacted by the digital schools. If we are going to teach a digital generation, schools will require restructuring and innovation. The authors recognize that this is a process that will require assistance from the community. The authors are attempting to get the reader to think outside of the box, when it comes to restructuring education and impacting student learning. The main implication is that we must acknowledge our educational system needs to be changed. With technology, we can change the way we teach and thus have a larger impact on our student learning.
Write your response to the book and be specific about why and how you agree or disagree with the author's point of view
I don’t think I could have agreed more with the authors. Our schools are outdated and in need of embracing new technologies and teaching methods. We are still teaching for the industrial nation, our students need and require more from us as educators. I think the author has some wonderful ideas about how we can implement changes in the school system. However, some of the ideas are somewhat radical. I’d agree that we need to make an effort to make our schools more student-centered vs. teacher centered. We must recognize the need for change and being too start the change process.
Make connections between the book and current educational issues
The authors make mention that the digital generation is constantly connected to a digital world via email, text messages, voice, video, Facebook, etc. In order to be successful we first must encourage schools to adopt new web 2.0 technologies. We need to encourage teachers to allow the use of Web 2.0 tools such as Facebook, blogs and Twitter in the classroom. We know that many schools prohibit the use of such technologies. The authors encourage the use of these technologies in order to make student learning real.
Give the book a rating and recommendation for what audience(s) might benefit from reading this book.
I enjoyed reading this book; it’s very interesting and thought provoking. It makes you realize where we are now, and where we need to be heading. I think all administrators, technology directors and curriculum directors should read this book. In fact, I’d recommend this book to anyone in education. Your ideas and traditional methods will be challenged. The authors will push you to think outside of the box and try new teaching styles with technology. Overall, it’s a good read. I would give this book a 3.5/5 stars.
Teaching the Digital Generation encourages teachers, students, administrators, curriculum directors and school architects to think outside of the box when it comes to education. As the title states the authors focus on how teach the new “Digital Generation” The authors require us to rethink the way we teach and refine our methods of teaching in order to reach the “Digital Generation”. Our current methods of teaching are not effective for the students of today and thus we must embrace the new technology and methods of teaching for our students. I’ve heard many refer to our traditional methods of teaching as routine and mundane. What stood out the most for me is the fact that our traditional teaching methods are no longer accurate, but are still commonly used. “The world of work is automating rapidly, and routine work of all kinds is disappearing. Tomorrow’s workers will survive on their unique talents, plus their ability to innovate, create, market, and sell their ideas in the global marketplace. They will probably be self-employed, even if they work under contract for a large corporation. (Worzel, 2006, p.7) This essentially sums up the entire emphasis of the book, that each student is in fact unique and has a variety of learning goals and methods. As educators we must do what is necessary to help them learn individually. Furthermore, an emphasis on online or flexible learning environments will be essential for student success. “Online learning will become an integral part of all students’ education, regardless of the type of school they attend, and will provide opportunities to augment the instruction that the school provides….But educators have not widely recognized this development because they don’t really participate in this digital world and because this type of learning is not found in traditional subjects taught in schools.” (p. 212).
Why did this passage stand out for you?
These passages stood out for me for a couple of reasons. Just because we have taught the same class or lecture for the past twenty years, does not mean we are doing it successfully. Many teachers don’t have an idea of what technologies are available or even what students’ are using outside of the classroom. Our students need interaction between teachers and peers in order to solidify the learning process. The authors did an excellent job of attempting to address issues that impede learning of the digital generation. Second, we must acknowledge that the world is changing and change is hard. Technology has forced us to change and adapt in the past and generally that makes us more productive and safe members of society. As an example, look at the technology advancements in automobiles as the authors do. We now have reliable modes of transportation, as result of technology advancements. Educators must learn new technologies and teaching methods in order to be successful. Our schools need tools and technologies that students can relate to. We can provide much of our education via online tools such as Skype, Moodle, and SecondLife.
What implications do you think this will have on students and learning?
Given the fact that we are in somewhat unchartered territory with teaching the digital generation, we can’t be certain what the exact implications will be. However, it’s clear that we must modify our current ways. As the authors mention in the book, learning will be available 24/7. We can customize education for our students which will definitely help encourage learning. In addition, the way we operate and function in schools will be impacted. We will expect our teachers and students to use digital learning devices in the classroom, instead of banning them. Furthermore, the way we structure our schools could be impacted. For instance, the typical school day may not be from 8-3. The roles and responsibilities could certainly be shifted.
Discuss the theme of the book. Give us some background on what the book addresses. Try to highlight the main idea and the supporting details of the book
The main focus of this book is to get the audience to understand that our traditional schools and teaching methods are outdated. “America’s high schools are obsolete…By obsolete, I mean that our high schools, even when they’re working exactly as designed, cannot teach our kids what they need to know today.” (Gates, 2005). Throughout this book the authors do a wonderful job of providing resources and examples of how teaching the digital generation will impact everyone in education. For instance, the book describes how the roles of teachers, administrators, guidance counselors and even school architects can be impacted by the digital schools. If we are going to teach a digital generation, schools will require restructuring and innovation. The authors recognize that this is a process that will require assistance from the community. The authors are attempting to get the reader to think outside of the box, when it comes to restructuring education and impacting student learning. The main implication is that we must acknowledge our educational system needs to be changed. With technology, we can change the way we teach and thus have a larger impact on our student learning.
Write your response to the book and be specific about why and how you agree or disagree with the author's point of view
I don’t think I could have agreed more with the authors. Our schools are outdated and in need of embracing new technologies and teaching methods. We are still teaching for the industrial nation, our students need and require more from us as educators. I think the author has some wonderful ideas about how we can implement changes in the school system. However, some of the ideas are somewhat radical. I’d agree that we need to make an effort to make our schools more student-centered vs. teacher centered. We must recognize the need for change and being too start the change process.
Make connections between the book and current educational issues
The authors make mention that the digital generation is constantly connected to a digital world via email, text messages, voice, video, Facebook, etc. In order to be successful we first must encourage schools to adopt new web 2.0 technologies. We need to encourage teachers to allow the use of Web 2.0 tools such as Facebook, blogs and Twitter in the classroom. We know that many schools prohibit the use of such technologies. The authors encourage the use of these technologies in order to make student learning real.
Give the book a rating and recommendation for what audience(s) might benefit from reading this book.
I enjoyed reading this book; it’s very interesting and thought provoking. It makes you realize where we are now, and where we need to be heading. I think all administrators, technology directors and curriculum directors should read this book. In fact, I’d recommend this book to anyone in education. Your ideas and traditional methods will be challenged. The authors will push you to think outside of the box and try new teaching styles with technology. Overall, it’s a good read. I would give this book a 3.5/5 stars.
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