Kids these days

An early personal computer

The joke is probably as old as the computer itself: If you're having trouble with a piece of technology, just ask your 12 year old for help.  We may chuckle at the idea that kids tend to be more tech-savvy than us adults, but it can make us uncomfortable too. We might worry that we can't effectively supervise their activities if we don't understand those activities. We might fret over the amount of time they're spending with their favorite electronic gadgets -- and the things they're missing out on because of it. And, let's face it, we might fear what their agility in the technology arena tells us about our own slowing faculties.

In the home setting, most of us have had to make some peace with the prevalance of technology in our kids' lives. But in the controlled -- and often cash-strapped -- environment of the classroom, change is happening at a slower pace. This article from Education Week explains some of the challenges schools face in effectively implementing technology: Technology in the classroom . The article also discusses the lack of good data to validate the importance of bringing schools into the digital age.

Whether or not we have hard data to back it up, we know empirically that young people "get" technology and engage with digital tools far more readily than with many traditional teaching methods.  This video, which makes ironic use of the "old-fashioned" dry-erase board, paints a picture of the modern digital learner and outlines the challenges of providing her with a quality education: A Vision of K-12 Students Today.  Creating a classroom that inspires and nurtures these digital learners should be among our country's highest priorities.

That's not to say we should overlook the dangers of integrating new technology into the classroom. A study commissioned  by the internet security company AVG and cited by Venture Beat found that more young children can use a computer mouse than tie their shoes and play computer games than ride a bike: Generation Tech. Trends such as these legitimatize our fears that technology is not just changing the way kids learn but replacing some of the real-world skills they need to be well-rounded citizens. Educators should also be concerned about the disparities that the integration of new technology opens up between wealthier and poorer school districts.

Nevertheless, we have to meet kids where they are. And increasingly "where they are" is in front of a computer screen.

Preschoolers using computers