“Y2 K-12” New Classrooms, New Paradigms to Avoid a Digital CrashNew teachers, New Paradigms for Teaching and Learning
Abstract: The Teacher Leader Center at the University of Iowa was developed to equip new teachers to engage and fully utilize all the technologies their K-12 students arrive with in the classroom. What do new teachers need to have in their digital backpacks in order to successfully teach and reach the next generation of the global workforce? How can we avoid the impending Y2K-like crisis in K-12 classrooms? Much like the Y2K Crisis was one of hysteria largely overblown and hyped, so too is the notion that students can only use their cell phones, facebook, and other “can’t-live-without” technologies for things most adults deem as unproductive. Instead of “Turn it off, and put it away!” we’re teaching our new teachers to say, “Get it out, and turn it on!” We want to hear your thoughts on ways we can engage youth with popular devices to create better employees and learning environments of tomorrow.