New Kind of Learner

Broadband, Social Networks, and Mobility Have Spawned a New Kind of Learner
By John K. Waters
December 13, 2011
Students are different today because of technology. Every educator knows this, of course, but this change is about much more than agile thumbs, shriveling attention spans, and OMG'd vocabularies. According the Pew Research Center, the combination of widespread access to broadband Internet connectivity, the popularity of social networking, and the near ubiquity of mobile computing is producing a fundamentally new kind of learner, one that is self-directed, better equipped to capture information, more reliant on feedback from peers, more inclined to collaborate, and more oriented toward being their own "nodes of production." Click HERE to learn more.

STTCN

Network directors debrief after dialogues and coordinate plans for upcoming professional development. From right to left: Judy Mitrowitz, JCTC; Mary Ann Luciano CRTC; Christine Rebere LGTC; Jenny Dean, SCT/CTC and STSCN; Bonnie Calzolaio CCTC and DTC; Pat Rice CTC; and Starr Latronica, Policy Board member from the TC of Broome County. George Lohmann, TCTC, is taking the picture.

"December Dialogues" with Legislative Representatives

On Wednesday, December 14, 2011, the STTCN met with two State Assembly staff representatives at Johnson City High School to dialogue about the professional development being provided by network Teacher Centers. From right to left: Scott Esty, Chief of Staff for Assemblyman Christopher Friend (137th District); Deb Howard, Tioga County staff representative for Assemblyman Gary Finch (123rd District); Jenny Dean, SCT/CTC and STSCN; Christine Rebera LGTC; Bonnie Calzolaio CCTC and DTC; Mary Ann Luciano CRTC; and Judy Mitrowitz, JCTC.

Commissioner King Speaks at "December Dialogues"

New York State Education Commissioner John King speaks with Teacher Center directors and Policy Board members the state-wide Teacher Center conference held in Troy, NY, December 1 and 2, 2011. The dialogue involved collaboration in providing quality professional development to teacher with the goal of raising student achievement.

STTCN Collaborating at "December Dialogues"

During the state-wide Teacher Center "December Dialogues" held December 1 and 2, 2011, in Troy, NY, the STTCN is afforded an opportunity to collaborate on efficient ways of providing high quality professional development to assist in rolling out the Common Core Learning standards (CCLS) and the new Teaching Standards. Pictured from left to right is Christine Rebera (Lansing-Groton TC), Network Chair Jenny Dean (Schuyler Chemoung Tioga/Corning TC and Southern Tier School/Community Network), Mary Ann Luciano (Catskill Regional TC), Judy Mitrowitz (Johnson City TC) and Jane Rohrbach (STS/CN). Attending but not pictured are Pat Rice (Cincinnatus TC), Bonnie Calzolaio (Cortland County TC and Dryden TC) and George Lohmann (Tioga County TC).

Teacher Center Banner Displayed at "December Dialogues"