EDUC 6809 - Case study reflection

After reading my peer's Case Studies, I believe that technology use among young people could be better harnessed to teach school-based skills. I recognized a trend of out-of-school computer-based technology use among this group of Appalachian youth ages 9-17. Three things that most (and is some cases, all) of the young people used computers for where:

• socializing
•  Students used Facebook and other social networking sites (like Instagram) to connect with their peers
• Students spent large portions of their face-to-face time with peers talking about computer-based activities.
• gameplaying
• Students played strategy games that they claimed uses "critical thinking skills" such as Dishonored
• Students played puzzle games that they called "addictive" such as Candy Crush Saga
• Students played open-ended, building games such as Minecraft
• creativity
• Students created videos, graphic design and online characters utilizing fashion choices.
• Students used the open-ended game Minecraft to conceive and build unique buildings and other objects.

These students also used computer technology in their schools, albeit at less frequency. The use of this technology fell into two categories:

•  Research
• Students utilized Google to search for websites to use for research projects.
• Educational Gameplay 
•  Some (but not all) students were allowed to use the computer for pre-approved websites for content-specific learning such as CoolMath.
• Assessments
• Computers were utilized in assessment testing and prep.

It is clear to me that teachers are not utilizing computer technology in schools. In almost every case, the young person was aware of the benefits to learning that non-school use of computers provide. The implication is that teachers need to utilize these learning opportunities for students if they want to keep relevancy and engagement with the student.

I think this is of particularly concern with the rise of "home schooled" and online students. Although I believe quality is a point of contention (and so do a lot of other educators), these options are seen as viable alternatives for parents and students who are dissatisfied with the education they perceive they are getting in the traditional school system.  My gut tells me that this is partly (maybe primarily) due to the lack of things they enjoy and look forward to in school (engagement) and feeling like what they are learning in school is relevant to their lives outside of school (relevance). I think utilizing computer-based technology and aligning that to at-home computer usage (in an educational way, of course) could help that perception.