Over the past four years of hosting my KICS ‘Saturday Workshop: Note-taking & Studying Strategies’, I have noticed an alarming trend. Many students do not have home computers or access to the internet at home.
I call this the rise of the Digital Divide.
As affluent as Bermuda is, it is very shocking to hear many parents admit that they do not have internet access at home, etc.
Yes, smart phones are powerful but what about the basic skills of writing grammatically correct essays and reports on a computer or laptop?
Yes, smart phones are powerful but what about the basic skills of writing grammatically correct essays and reports on a computer or laptop?
You cannot use “online language” when writing formally.
“U” should never supplement “You” in formal writing. But, again, many of our students write the way they do on their smart phones and/or social media networks!
Further, many students struggle in this area and they are unable to think, type and write correctly and simultaneously–while on a computer.
Further, many students struggle in this area and they are unable to think, type and write correctly and simultaneously–while on a computer.
Let’s face it, that, too, is a skill which is developed over time.Today’s students need to be knowledgeable about the Microsoft Office Suite–Word, Excel, Powerpoint at a bare minimum.
Yet, once again too many students in the public middle and high schools are not – sadly.
In my opinion, it is not enough for parents to say that it is the school’s responsibility to teach students. I disagree as I believe as parents we must be accountable for our children’s learning and if it is required, we should also be prepared to supplement their learning.
This is why I created the panel ‘Decoding Gen-Z’ for KICS Live- The Conference because I wanted to impress upon parents that they must take technology seriously.
This is why I created the panel ‘Decoding Gen-Z’ for KICS Live- The Conference because I wanted to impress upon parents that they must take technology seriously.
The game has changed; especially with the birth of social media.
The rules of engagement are different and as a result, young people are enjoying careers that Baby Boomers and Gen-X didn’t even dream of. The Gen-Z and Generation Alpha, those in their toddler and elementary years, are all wired. All they know is technology, so it is critical we prepare them for the future – and how to be good digital citizens.
Too many parents view technology as a luxury and that is far from the truth.
Technology is a necessity and parents must embrace it in their day-to-day lives. After all, Gen-Z and Generation Alpha are already there.
♦ Angela Young, Founder & President of Kids in Control Systems – KICS
