Instructional Technologist

Wow – 400 Freshmen right before lunch on a Friday with a full moon! My presentation was titled “Technology Tips”. By the time they all settled in and quieted down, I had about 19 minutes to get it all in. My objectives were clear; be positive, encouraging and offer some advice for Internet smarts. The class of 2012 is a tech savvy group – I praised them for their great skills.

First I showed them the school website, directing them to easy ways to contact their teachers and find information. Then I talked about home/school compatiblility issues. I moved onto G-mail (yes, they should have an account and a sensible email address for academic purposes) and online collaboration with Google docs; this class will benefit from the ease of use.

Then I talked about their “digital footprint”. As I presented the idea of their online identity, Facebook profiles began to appear on the screen. They wiggled and giggled and then realized that I had seen these online. “Yes”, I told them, “I was on Facebook and I searched for Westford Academy Class of 2012.” I did not to say much more. “Be smart and think before you click”. I must say they were mostly respectable and appropriate images.

I suggested that they ‘google’ themselves and then announced that right then and there I would google my own daughter. They gasped and a buzz hummed throughout as I put in her name – all was good – they saw how easy it was for me to learn what my daughter had been up to online. As they left the Dean listned as they continued to process the presentation.

One student sought me out at an event later that evening. She enjoyed the presentation and noted that it was so unlike any others where “they tell you don’t do this and don’t do that. Nobody listens. But seeing those pictures on the big screen really made the point. ”

No scare tactics. No threats. Positive and encouraging. Starting the dialogue.

The Class of 2012 will shine as they continue to teach us what they can do with the technology available to them! Are we ready?

Many thanks to the many blogs I have read advising positive dialogue.