Being Successful with the Net Generation

I remember, in the last month of High School(1983), being taken into a classroom that was just equipped with computers. They were very large with black screens and green numbers and letters. We just looked at them, turned them on, and were told what they could do- we were amazed! In college('83-87), there was a computer room but to get anything printed, you would have to go to another room wait in line(there was only one or two printers and tear your paper off of a large sheet of green lined paper). Yeah, I'm old! Anyway, even though that was 20 some years ago, I do feel we are in the infant stages of having a fully integrated classroom, where using the computer is just a natural part of the day, like taking out a pencil and paper. I believe the best way to be successful with the Net Generation is to use the technology available-and use it often. The Net Genner students and teachers of today still are using computers and technology mostly for social uses(emailing assignments, questions, etc.). Slowly we are integrating things like "Smart Boards" into the classroom, but even those are being kept in the closet by the teacher who is to set in their ways. As we read in the Chapter there are so many tools online for every subject imaginable. NOT to use technology, in all its forms, when it is available to most schools, should be reprehensible. The best way to to be successful with Net Genners is to learn with the Net Genners. Find activities, movies, songs, games, projects, that will motivate and excite the students. As more and more "new teachers" enter the schools with this knowledge, and more and more schools embrace the daily use of computers in their classrooms, the students of tomorrow have a better chance of realizing the full potential of being educated into well rounded individuals with a new view of education through the world wide web and beyond!