Today's Learners response

If kids in middle school are learning to play games, use cell phones and i-pods, going online to IM and chat, but are restricted from doing this in school, there seems to be a gap between their real lives and their school lives. Do they need to have such a separation? Do they need to learn the basics of the three R's to be able to become literate? These are new questions for our technology-based world. Does good handwriting equal high intelligence? Do different learning styles get equitable opportunities to succeed in school? There is fear about inappropriate use of the internet that causes administrators and teachers to block sites. We are caught in a place that seeks to protect children, yet limits their potential at the same time. Do we need these controls? Knowing our students and finding out about their use of technology and meeting them where they are, to teach them on their level is vital to make learning relevant to their lives.