May+Chat+Answers


 * May Chat Answers**

1. a. This question has taken quite a bit of thought. I have surveyed my students and asked them about this. Since they are only fifth grades, no one volunteers outside of the home. I asked them about their older brothers and sister volunteering in the community, and some of them discussed their siblings volunteering in local churches. I was sure there was a better answer out there so I talked with my husband. We own the Tea Vet Clinic, and on a weekly basis he has three different high school students who volunteer at the clinic. They arrive ready to work and have a good attitude. They walk dogs, clean up pet messes, and other jobs around the clinic. He says he always has a number of high school students who want this opportunity to work with the animals. b. Yes, I believe the Internet is shaping our students’ thinking. In my experience in working with fifth graders, I do not believe they are shaping the Internet yet. I think with their lifelong experience using the Internet there is great possibility they will eventually shape the Internet. Right now, my students are using it as a tool, and it has changed their thinking. I am watching this happen while my students are having their first experience with a blog. The discussions they are having while blogging are so much more in depth than a written assignment using paper and pencil. They are discussing characters and plot without being “assigned” to do so. It is amazing to listen to these discussions. This is proof that the Internet is shaping their thinking.

2.

The dumbest generation? I disagree with this statement. Tapscott gives examples in his book to prove this wrong. The figure 4.2 on page 110 shows that the raw IQ scores have risen from 100 in 1978 to 110 in 2008. That is an increase in 10 points in 30 years. In the first chapter, Tapscott discussed how he interviewed thousand of Net Geners and asked them if they would rather be good-looking or smart. Seven out of ten said they would rather be smart. This generation thinks it is cool to be smart. Their minds are flexible, adaptable, and multimedia savvy. By designing and creating applications on the Internet, these kids are using higher order thinking skills.

Are they giving up their privacy? Yes, they are. They are disclosing too much private information on their social networking sites. The pictures they post could be used against them if they pursue a career in politics. When we hire employees at our clinic, we eliminate candidates by looking at their facebook page. If there are any posts or photos that could indicate that that person would potentially make him/her a poor employee, my husband will not call them in for an interview. I would assume that other companies might use this as a way to narrow down their interviewing pool. The Net Geners understand that they are giving away too much private information but are not concerned about the impact it may have on their employment future, according to Tapscott.

3. I think Net Geners will change the world for the better. They know how to utilize the Internet and have become activists by doing this. They are concerned about the integrity of institutions and will hold them accountable. I think we’ll see drastic changes in our political system. I think these changes are necessary and have been in the long time coming. I am excited that I will be here to witness this, and that my children may be a part of these great changes.

4. Yes, I enjoyed this book. I also enjoyed the conversations I have had with my colleagues convincing them that our kids are going to do great things.