Sunday, August 29, 2010

No More Pencils, No More Books…Back-to-School Shopping Can Be High-Tech

Back to school means that students are going to be immersed in a high- tech learning environment full of mobile devices, wireless laptops/notebooks, interactive whiteboards, and much, much more. The three C’s - connectivity, creativity and collaboration are linking students to a global learning community like never before. High-tech learning can mean exciting shopping for technologies that can enhance anywhere, anytime learning for students. Many students are now opting to use their own personal technology devices at school. So, how does a back-to-school shopping list read in the 21st century? The back-to-school shopping list has morphed into items that could include personal laptops, USB memory sticks, Smartphones, iPads, iPods, tablets, and netbooks. Back-to-school during my formal years included shopping for three ring binders, duotangs, coil scribblers, lined paper, HB pencils, highlighters, pens and so forth. Today’s student learning identity is redefined in ways, one being as simple as a back-to-school shopping list.