Roboprince

I found all three articles interesting, humorous, and intriguing. I probably agree with the reeves_oh article more than the other two. I also believe that nowhere near enough research (or meaningful study) has been done in the area of generational differences. Yes it is fun to gripe about the younger generation, and to behave judgementally ("we were never as screwed up as these kids", etc.). It's also easy to wax longingly for the "good-old-days" (which in reality were not that good). It is entirely another thing to remember how the older generation complained about our music, clothing, study-habits, etc. A couple of years in a war zone converted me from a disenchanted, dope-smoking, love-making, anti-war, anti-government adolescent into a wounded vet who could not wait to finish college and join the money-making world of conformance. Those of my peers who are still alive and fairly successful financially all made the same 180 degree transition into adulthood. We considered this maturity (especially when we became parents). I concur wholeheartedly that education and educational theory and practises have not kept pace with the changing youth of recent years and I think this is reflected in the national test scores and the state of all of the areas that we once lead the world in. So are our youth not as studious or capable as older generations or have our means and techniques for reaching (i.e. teaching)them become obsolete? I don't know the answer to this and nothing I have read this week has convinced me one way or the other. I am dizzy trying to make sense of the various definitions and differences between the generations. I have no problems believing that GenY (Millenials) can actually study and comprehend while listening to their Mp3 players or video games; but I am still old enough not to allow this in my classroom during a lecture or demonstration. I read the Howe and Strauss (and Forrester) opinions regarding this generation and am not as optimistic as they appear to be. I could be wrong (would not be the first time), and I truly hope that I am wrong. I think these kids are going to need all of the breaks they can get to navigate this world successfully.I liked reading Prensky's philosophy of Digital Immigrants and his juxtaposing educating today's generation with foreign language (and accents) is brilliant. While I enjoyed reading his thoughts, the reality of the school I teach at (and the teachers I teach with) is quite different and not likely to change any time soon.Howe and Strauss do a better job in offering reasons (and answering questions) about the generational differences; but they also do not explain how the older more experienced teachers will successfully teach the Millenials. Does the reading remind me of any of my students. You bet it does. I can name a student for every description I have read in these three articles (and I'm only in my third year of teaching).What they don't explain is how every generation has produced successful adults via education and why these individuals managed to succeed in spite of educators not fully being in touch with them. I also think that time will prove them to be no more successful than previous generations in terms of moving mankind forward. Don't get me wrong; tech savvy kids are different from my generation, but different does not always prove to be better.
Victor

I teach electronics and robotics to high school students in the Detroit Public School system. I teach in the toughest part of the City and have come to appreciate my students in ways I never thought possible three years ago when I begin teaching. I work at a comprehensive high school that has a decent Manufacturing Design and Technology pathway incorporated into its Social Studies, Business, and Career and Technical Education department. My program has been pretty fortunate and has enjoyed a good relationship with private industry, resulting in quite a bit of new technology for my students. My classrooms are fully equipped labs and those of my students who are motivated actually learn and train on state-of-the-art equipment. I have had students gainfully employed at Ford and Chrysler facilities for the past two summers, and have a few who are working with GM designers while earning educational credits. I am pretty impressed with the fact that industry finds my students capable enough to pay for their efforts and they are only in high school! Last year a number of my students were accepted into engineering programs at some pretty good universtities. I have been able to write grant proposals which so far this year has brought $35,000 into the school for activities that would not be possible otherwise with the many budget cuts in the school system. I have a high school chapter of a national engineering society as well as fielding two competitive robotics teams in the FIRST Robotics and FIRST VEX international competitions.
Of course all of my students are not trying to be the best that they can be, and I have not figured out a way to reach that population of my students (yet). Perhaps as I learn from you master teachers my success numbers will improve.
I can definitely see ways that blogging can help in my classes and increase my student's use and knowledge of "positive" technology. Most of them already know how to use the internet for downloading hip-hop and the social dating sites; blogging could be a very good way for me to keep them on track. It would also be useful as a means of providing them with real-time venues for communicating with robotic teams and news around the english-speaking world.

Victor

Roboprince checking in to see if this post updates my reader.