Engaging Screenagers

"Education has to change. We can't pull kids into learning in school if they are engaged in a different world outside school."


I ran across this quote today online in Educational Leadership. . . I could not find to whom to directly attribute this thought, but I know I like it.  This is so true!


Many kids have found engaging ways of learning by experimenting with a variety of online formats and tools.  These "screenagers" are digital natives that have little fear and are willing to spend hours upon hours discovering in front of a screen.


Today happens to be a snow day for many screenagers in the state of Iowa.  With several inches of snow on the ground, more on the way and the winds blowing, the blizzard and winter storm warnings have kept many at home.  To be captivated in a profession that allows me the luxury to work from home is splendid.  Sure there are a few distractions when the kids are home as well, but there are also insights.


For example, take my three children.  They each are absorbed in their own form of screen learning today.


Child one:  Good Morning America, History Channel, Food Channel, Discovery.  From the sound bytes I have caught she now knows about sites to visit in Washington DC, a new meal to try for supper, and what is happening in Egypt.  Hope supper is good!


Child two:  Three friends over competing on some XBox game.  The silence of focused concentration is intermittently broken by giggles, strategy discussions and surprises uttered about onscreen moves. Definitely a social event and team planning as well.


Child three:  Reading a book with iPod in hand for music and Facebook interactions.


Maybe after work I can gather them all together for a game of Monopoly or Yahtzee . . . but they will probably talk me into Wii bowling or Scene It.  The grasp of the digital allure  . . . how best to capture it and engage our teens?  Let them do the talking and the answers may be surprising.


Enjoy your snow day~