Great points made in this post. Although most of us try to re-create the wheel, there never seems to be enough time in the day. I find using the web – especially – teachertube and similar sites- invaluable to me. Not only do they provide a variety of engaging ideas and materials, but the visual resources are amazing. In all, it shortens the amount of time I spend on “creating” a unit/lesson because I have access to cool materials to use appropriately at my fingertips.

I do agree with Erik and Jeff though, that there has to be a passion. But I think that with all of the new availability to things instantaneously, it can help bring NEW passions/interests, that maybe we didn’t have time for before (or an interest in). For example, prior to my iPhone (okay all of my life), I RARELY watched the news and was horrible about keeping up with current events! (Yes, I hate to admit it). BUT, now that I have my iPhone, I’ve downloaded a few News Apps that send me Breaking News messages, and now I’m “getting educated”. My father is SOOO proud. Something that I wanted to make a regular part of my life before, but didn’t take the time, has now become a new interest of mine because I do it while I’m multi-tasking with other things, from where ever I am, from a little screen.

So we passion that drives us to want to know the information and because it’s our passion it’s OK…or so we tell ourselves.

So in schools how do we tap into student passion and then allow them to use what ever they want, including screens of all sizes to access the information they want when they want/need it.

It’s funny how we see this as just the way it is…because it’s our passion then we turn around and shake our heads when kids can’t get their heads out of their cell phones.

What kids I’ve talked to have said is they don’t like reading and taking notes on the same device. I think if they had a Kindle and a computer or an iPad and a computer that might work.

It takes some getting use to…and I say all this….but last week I observed a 6th grade class who is 1:1 and they had a piece of text to read and highlight and take notes on. They opened it up in Preview (Mac) and I watched as 4 kids didn’t miss a bit writing themselves notes, highlighting text, etc.

I think other tools like Diigo and how you can highlight and postit webpages is way under utilized in classes as well. A Diigo eductors account is a must in my book.

The bigger question is how does that paper textbook keep up with a changing landscape. At least if it’s digital they can push out updates as information changes.

But the key to all the different sources and screens is also my interest, everything was of importance. Is this the same for our students when they say they can multi-task? Hmmmm? Interest level has to play a role.