TWTW Teaching with the Web	The Instructional Technology Journal of Greenwood School District 50 http://www.gwd50.org Volume 5, Number 2 September 1, 2009
Working with the Net Generation 9/1/09 A few days ago, I read an article in Education World. The author, Doug Johnson, writes a regular column entitled, Tech Proof. Mr. Johnson asks the question, “Ever feel that your students know just a whole heck of a lot more about technology than you do?” He goes on to explain that teachers have felt this way for years, and now there are statistics to confirm their feelings (Teens and Technology.) On the positive side, Mr. Johnson explains that he knows some tech savvy teachers who don’t just “survive” – they “thrive” when working with this Net Generation. “How,” you might ask? Mr. Johnson says: “1. They use the tools. 2. They consider themselves co-learners. 3. They recognize that traditional skills are still at the heart of education.” Mr. Johnson concludes with these words: “It will be far more productive and far less frustrating if we as educators change our attitude toward technology rather than try to change our students' attitudes toward it. Information technologies are here to stay in all our lives.” Mr. Johnson is correct – technology is here to stay! It is our job as educators to use it to engage students and improve teaching and learning. Please take a few minutes to read the article in its entirety.	The Times They are a’Changin’ Rules for Teachers in 1915 Decades ago, rules of conduct for educators like the ones below were not uncommon. Times sure have changed… § You will not marry during the term of your contract. § You are not to keep company with men. § You must be home between the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. unless attending a school function. § You may not loiter downtown in ice cream stores. § You may not travel beyond the city limits without the permission of the chairman of the board. § You may not ride in a carriage or automobile with any man unless he is your father or brother. § You may not smoke cigarettes § You may not dress in bright colors. § You may under no circumstances dye your hair. § You must wear at least two petticoats. § Your dresses must not be any shorter than two inches above the ankle. § To keep the schoolroom clean you must --- Sweep the floor at least once daily. --- Scrub the floor with hot soapy water at least once a week. --- Start the fire at 7 a.m. so that the room will be warm by 8 a.m. From Education World’s Headlines Newsletter Volume 8, Issue 34 As ridiculous as the above rules seem, they serve as a reminder that times have changed; and if our teaching methods are reminiscent of 1915, it’s time to adjust and engage today’s students!
National Archives & Records Administration § 75 Years of NARA History Find out about defining moments in the agency's history with photo galleries, personal stories, and notices of special events throughout the nation. § NARA: Teaching With Documents Contains reproducible copies of primary documents, teaching activities correlated to National Standards, and cross-curricular connections. § NARA: Educators and Students Explore vast resources and find a treasure trove of reproducible primary sources, lesson plans, and cross-curricular connections. § NARA: Online Exhibits Explore NARA's extensive online detailed exhibits. § National Archives Experience: Digital Vaults Browse through the hundreds of photographs, documents, and film clips. § Our Documents: 100 Milestone Documents from the National Archives Photos and info on all 100 featured documents. (From EduHound)	Site Survey: Websites that Educate, Enlighten, Entertain, and Engage · Online Etymology Dictionary http://www.etymonline.com/ “Etymologies are not definitions; they're explanations of what our words meant and how they sounded 600 or 2,000 years ago.” · Maps.com http://www.maps.com/FunFacts.aspx This is the link to the “free stuff” – the “stuff” educators love! Check out the interactive map games and quizzes – a great way to learn! · SmartBoard Resources http://www.elko.k12.nv.us/ecsdtc/SMART%20Boards.htm SmartBoard resources – some old, some new – well worth your time!
	The Laptop-and-Projector Project Website Tech Project: http://www2.gwd50.org/TechPlans/TechPlan2006.htm Resources: http://gwd50.schoolwires.net/16891058111442710/site/default.asp? Previous TWTW Issues: http://www2.gwd50.org/techplans/TWTW-Index.htm Instruct. Tech. Specialist: http://www.gwd50.org/1689105110365557/site/default.asp If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always gotten.