A blog post by Stefanie Olsen on CNET’s News.com has some evidence that might poke holes in Professor Bauerlein’s research. Some Silicon Valley teens gathered together at the Teens in Tech confab to share how they are using technology to start businesses and do charitable work. Here are a few examples of what some participants have accomplished. Anshal Samar, 14, has invented the fantasy-chemistry education card game Elementeo and hopes to sell 50,000 sets and is well on his way to becoming a millionaire before entering high school. There is also Sejal Hathi, 16, who founded Girls Helping Girls, a nonprofit group hoping to inspire young women around the world to bring social change in their communities. So much for no work ethic or civic responsibility.

What technology are these teens using? Facebook because of its better layout and professional look. They still prefer e-mail but have not caught on to Twitter. All of the participants worry about their privacy and take steps to protect it. While the participants admitted to not being able to read as much as they would like outside of school related materials, they did say they kept up with news online. One thing they do regret is the fact they don’t have as much time to build personal relationships because of their work or use of Facebook or other social networking sites but understand personal relationships are important.

Ms. Olsen does point something out that makes me wonder if Professor Bauerlein’s book may be premature. The attitudes about using technology responsibly is coming from parents. Silicon Valley is one of the technology centers of the world so its inhabitants are probably very tech savvy. This knowledge of how things work on the Internet is passed on to their children. In other words, responsible adults who understand how technology works are taking time to instruct their children properly and it works. The cover of the book says not to trust anyone under 30 (funny coming from someone who proably said not to trust anyone over thirty once upon a time) but when I read Professor Bauerlein’s book it would not surprise me that he makes another argument supporting the idea of the Technology Natives/Technology Immigrants divide.

The ideas mentioned in all the videos and meetings have generated a larger discussion that will, hopefully, turn at-risk students around. Here is a sample of some of the things said. Students and parents need to get over the notion that students do not need to feel totally comfortable because facing challenges should not be comforting. Here is an old cry, parents need to get more involved in their child’s education (my mother would counter that educators chased parents away years ago). Get rid of televisions and video games so students can focus more on their studies. A stricter retention policy with mandatory summer school for students with up to two failing grades and being held back with more than two failing grades. Another summer program for rising 9th graders who are struggling before being allowed to enter high school. One participant did mention students need to prepare for careers that have not been invented yet.

However, I was disappointed no one brought up the idea that today’s students may learn or even think differently than in the past. Nor did anyone mention today’s students work better with more technological tools than the ones used in schools. In other words the Digital Native – Digital Immigrant divide. Since I was not invited I am going to mention it here and now. Over the last three years or so I have unscientifically observed students, including my 13-year old son, and have come to the conclusion today’s student learn better using technology. One challenging World Geography class I had were always a pain when I lectured. Yet, when I got them on to computers to let them do projects I assigned the change was near miraculous. They worked hard and I never had to write a discipline referral. The projects they would produce were actually very informative and creative. I always wonder what might have transpired if I had more access to computers. My son has used a, gasp, video game to help point him to a career path that will hopefully have him gainfully employed, out of the house, and able to help his parents in their old age. Also, he and a classmate produced a really good video (others said it so its not parental bragging and you can see for yourself) for his reading class. The amazing thing, I did not have to help him very much, just show him how to get the video from the Flip to the computer and the basics of Windows Movie Maker. My Web Media Production Class is working very hard, especially when they realized their work was actually being viewed by people outside of school. It may take a little bit of time for students to get used to using “their tools” for educational purposes but when they get it – watch out!