Technology+Leadership+Book+Summary

 Getting Their Attention: __Teaching with the Tools Kids Really Use__  Students today are already using mobile technologies and Web 2.0 tools away from a school environment. How can educators be sure that students are acquiring the skills needed in tomorrow’s workforce? By utilizing these “toys” and turning them into “tools,” can these same mobile and Web technologies make education engaging and enlightening? (Brooks-Young, 2010)

 In __Teaching with the Tools Kids Really Use: Learning with Web and Mobile Technologies__, Susan Brooks-Young says, “…we find ourselves in the equivalent of the frontier” (Brooks-Young, 2010). She points out that our current static education system and curricula are not addressing the 21st-century skills our students need to acquire in order to flourish in the future job market. Furthermore, Brooks-Young is adamant that in order to remain relevant, the learning environment of today will need to constantly progress as new technologies are introduced.

 Each section in __Teaching with the Tools Kids Really Use__ provides information about one type of technology or tool; offers statistical information on how many people currently use the technology; projects possible conflicts about introducing the tool into a classroom; presents strategies and ideas for projects that integrate the technology with core content; and closes with possible discussion points for educators. Also included in each chapter is a lengthy section which includes reference materials such as websites, online documents, books, and application links.

 Brooks-Young defines 21st-century skills as “the content knowledge and applied skills that today’s students need to master to thrive in a continually evolving workplace and society” (Brooks-Young, 2010). However, she does not advocate totally abandoning the curricula in core content areas in favor of focusing on the use of technology. Instead, she points out that “it’s important to remember that they do not replace content area standards; they support them by emphasizing the importance of using modern tools and strategies to achieve academic goals” (Brooks-Young, 2010).

 __Teaching with the Tools Kids Really Use__ is a discussion of how mobile technologies, such as netbooks, cellular phones, and mp3 players, can contribute to the use of higher-order thinking skills when used appropriately in a classroom. In addition, student collaboration and communication can receive a boost by using social networks, virtual worlds, online games, blogs, and wikis.

 Brooks-Young cautions educators that before beginning any technology, they must first discuss school policies with administrators and check with IT directors. She also advises that teachers need to invest class time on issues such as ethics, intellectual property, digital citizenship, cyberbullying, and privacy issues.

 The last section of Brooks-Young’s book is what she calls a “Decision-Making and Implementation Model” (Brooks-Young, 2010). The purpose of this portion of the book is to help educators to clarify the issues surrounding any new technology: · What are the reasons for using this technology? · What are the concerns about using this technology? · How can knowledge be increased about this particular technology? · What questions must be answered before this technology is adopted?

 Also included is a matrix for dividing up action steps necessary to implement the technology plan, and an evaluation of the technology at work.

 Finally, Brooks-Young inspires and reminds, “The possibilities for reaching and engaging students are growing daily…educators continually need to adapt their approach to instruction to ensure that classroom activities remain relevant. Fortunately, these changes are doable. All that’s required is the will to move forward” (Brooks-Young, 2010).

 Brooks-Young, S. (2010). // Teaching with the tools kids really use: // <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: 3.75pt;">// learning with web and mobile technologies //. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin