Grown+Up+Digital+Chap.+5+and+9

Chapter 5 The Net Generation as Learners This chapter provided the information most pertinent to me as an educator. Tapscott reviews the Net Geners’ norms and relates to those in the classroom. As educators we need to meet the needs of all learners in our classrooms including the needs of the Net Geners.

Teachers need to change their teaching styles to fit the Net Geners. No longer can teachers stand in front and lecture to their class. Net Geners find this boring and will tune out. Teachers need to encourage students to discover for themselves rather than memorize information. Teachers should offer opportunities for students to collaborate, and finally teachers need to tailor the styles of teaching to fit into the Net Geners’ learning styles.

Net Geners do not spend hours in front of the TV. They are using the Internet to create. This is one example that shows teachers should not lecture to them. They need to be given the opportunity to discover the information on their own. Allowing them to collaborate with one another, allows the students to internalize the information on their own. They immediately begin to discuss and apply the new information. This is one of the highest levels of thinking on Bloom’s Taxonomy.

We have individualized learning plans for students with learning disabilities. Why not have them for all students? Students are all individuals who have very different learning styles. By creating the one-size-fits-one classroom, teachers can create a classroom and lessons designed to fit each student. More schools are providing each student with a laptop computer. Schools who have done this have seen a drop in behavior problems, writing competency improved, and absenteeism decreased. But computers for each student would cost districts a great amount of money.

These new changes to our educational system will cost money. “American public schools do not get enough funding to do their job. It is as simple and as embarrassing as that.” Teachers will always need time to collaborate with one another to create a classroom designed for the Net Geners. Teachers will need extra time planning and creating the lessons. Will the funding be there? One of the places government officials cut funding when there is a shortage is the education system. Teachers will need some monetary motivation to create these classrooms, and to attract the best upcoming teachers; money will be an important factor.

In order to make all of the changes necessary to create a type of school the Net Geners can thrive in, all teachers will need to make the effort to change. That includes the new college graduates to the teachers who have taught two generations of students. That will be the biggest challenge for each school district.

Chapter 9 The Net Generation and Democracy This chapter discussed the impact the Net Generation has on politics. They were able to propel Obama to be the lead Democratic runner and eventually the President of the United States. Obama’s approach to use online campaigning attracted the Net Geners. They were involved with his campaign and his issues more than the “Old System” of campaigning that left Hillary Clinton behind.

Throughout the book, Tapscott discusses the norms of the Net Generation. The norms that politics address are integrity, entertainment, speed, and collaboration with politicians. Obama provided the Net Geners with speed and entertainment by posting updates on twitter. The Net Geners hold the politicians accountable for their words and actions. They expect to be involved with the decisions the politicians make while they are holding office. They will change the system of our government.

In the past, they have had low voting rates when it comes to the polls because they have an aversion to traditional politics. They do not trust the political institution. Their lack of participation has been due to the “legitimate reservations they have had about endorsing a person or program they could not really believe in, and a process they strongly believe to be antiquated.”

Obama rose to the top because he was able to reach the Net Geners. He customized his campaign to their wants. His campaign was collaborative with online blogs and videos. He encouraged them to take action, to tell friends, and to hold rallies. Obama’s approach was a bottom up approach versus the traditional top down politics. The majority of his donated money came in sums of $200 or less. Every time there was an accusation made about Obama, the Net Geners posted videos or birth certificates online to prove the accusation false. They also respected Obama’s decision to not cut his connection with Reverend Wright immediately following the first comment made by Wright. After the next inappropriate comment from Wright, Obama did denounce him. The Net Geners respected this decision because Obama was up front about the situation.

The Net Geners want a say in government. I believe they can make that happen. Their expectations will to be involved in every single aspect of our democracy. Net Geners will be involved in the decision making. Perhaps it will be an online town hall meeting, but the goal will be to have a conversation with the government officials. They will reinvent our system of government and it’s going to be very exciting to watch this revolution.