Technology in the 21st Century

We all know that informational text is at the forefront of the new Common Core Standards.  Accessing the best websites to use for such tasks can take some time, but I'm excited about a new site I just found out about this week:

1.  Newsela: http://newsela.com/pages/about-newsela/ 

According to the website, Newsela is an innovative way for students to build reading comprehension with nonfiction that's always relevant: daily news.  I am thrilled to try out this website with next year's class.  Some of the advantages of the site include:

• text complexity - teachers can set the text complexity level for each text, and the article will adjust accordingly; AMAZING!
• reading comprehension quizzes - students can test on skills as they read the articles as they relate to the Common Core.
• all results can be monitored easily by the teacher! 

Today's Students: Dumbest Generation?

Wow!  This is a great way of looking at it, isn't it?  I must admit, I don't think I've ever thought of this age as the "Dumbest Generation", but have often wondered why students aren't as engaged in the classroom as they were 10+ years ago.  Well, they are the "Digital Natives" of this world, and they can be inspired when we build that bridge.   As educators, we must accept the challenge and avoid the idea that they "just aren't the same as they used to be".  They are, if we INSPIRE!

Our world is definitely changing quickly in the world of DIGITAL LEARNERS, and while I was a bit unsure about the use of technology in the classroom, I am now seeing the power it brings. Over the past few years, I feel as though various examples have been thrown at me, but I have struggled with if it has been the best use of time ( ie. create a wordle, use animoto).  This week, the following image really nailed it for me, what Technology SHOULD look like in my classroom.  I can't wait to explore the "RIGHT ANSWERS" further, and what it will look like in the year's ahead with our new 1:1 technology initiative.