Our Job...

I saw this image floating around the Interwebz and it really made me pause for reflection.   If I had a color printer, I would have printed it out.

I'm 36 years old.   I don't feel "old."  I do not feel "out of touch" with teens today.    For the most part, I feel I understand my students and I feel quite blessed to be their safe adult to speak to (whether literally or in writing).  And... from what they tell me, I do and I am.

Right now, one of my biggest struggles with my students is technology.   I don't know what the criteria would be for a technology addiction but we definitely have an issue with phones.   At the start of the school year, I announced that I am not going to make them check on their phones.    I didn't feel comfortable doing that.   To me, it sent a message of, "Welcome to class, I don't trust you to stay focused, give me your phone."    That is just how I felt at that time.  Again, how I felt.  Me.  My perception.  

Plus, I was hearing from colleagues that phone collection was a waste because there were kids out there turning in dummy phones while still keeping their actual activated phone.    I wanted my students to learn the appropriate time to use their phones and to use their phones not just for entertainment but for education.    Right now the game Fortnight (spelling?) is taking over teens by storm as well as a game called Pub-G.    I've had to really buckle down on phone use and I hate it.    So upon further reflection and pondering of how to handle this love of the phones.... I decided I'm not going to solve this problem.    The kids are.    

Yep, you heard me.

I'm not going to solve this problem.    The kids are.  I printed a variety of comics regarding cell phone usage and students are going to be given the task to analyze each image, describe it, reflect, and share.   Once we are done, we are going to transition into finding a solution for our phone love without robbing them of their pleasure or education.

I'm curious as to how this will go.   I'll post updates later.

My point of this entry is that sometimes the way you used to do things isn't what the students need.  You need to meet your students where they are.   You need to include them.   If there is a problem, seriously, help/allow them be a part of the solution.   Me barking at them about how things were when I was a kid will do nothing.    Let them have a voice.