We Are Failing Our Kids
Posted on July, 13, 2011 by Kerry Rego -
I dare you to give a 16 year old a car but don’t give them any information about the rules of the road or a map. Tell ‘em to just wing it. Teach yourself, kid. How well do you think that would work out? Just think about the damage that could do. So why do we think that kids (not to mention adults) and computers will just “figure it out”?
I get really worked up when I think about the state of technology in our schools. How can we expect that our children will be prepared to face the hi-tech world outside of their school walls? When they graduate from high school, will the be adept at the tools they will find in the workplace? Are they able to speak the language, navigate data, and keep themselves safe? Will they even be able to find jobs? No No No No No and No. They have no opportunities in which to be prepared. If the teachers don’t know, then how can they arm our future breadwinners with the skills they’ll need to survive in this increasingly digital world? The more I think about it, the more upset I get.
I wish I could go door to door and teach the teachers. Get them up to speed on what’s available (see Social Media in the Classroom), work them through their fears so that they can figure out ways that they can use these amazing tools in their classrooms. Essays in blogs, language learning via video conference, literary discussions in collaborative digital classrooms, higher math assistance available on streaming video, mobile applications that allow you to “adopt a creek” and report statistical data regarding the biosphere, architectural designs tested via augmented reality and 3D rendering software. All available. All begging to be played with. All limited only by our imaginations.
We need to teach them them how to research, develop, communicate, program, build, compute, be productive and stay safe. These skills are only going to become more necessary. There simply has to be a way to gear up and get these people they skills they need. Our financial livelihoods and economy depends on it. You wouldn’t dream of handing a kid keys to a vehicle and not training him how to use it. Carnage will follow.
Twitter: The Most Misunderstood Social Media Tool
Posted on June, 16, 2011 by Kerry Rego -
Are you a part of the conversation?
People are talking about you whether you are participating or not.
With 140 million + tweets a day funneled through Twitter, it is considered the most fast moving newsbreaking service online. Journalists, entrepreneurs, business owners, financiers, and well known brands use it. But did you know that the NYPD uses it as their command center? This is not a toy for children. It’s powerful, terribly understood and you probably don’t get it, do you?
Join Kerry Rego of Kerry Rego Consulting as she guides you through the process of: understanding the power of this great tool, setting up an account, the culture and behavior of users, understanding how your brand can take advantage of this platform, listening and learning about your customers and competition, cross platform tools that allow you to manage your account(s), creating a customized background, how networking is done there, whether or not this is the right tool for you and more!
This is a small class that is designed to guide you step by step through the Twitter account process, answer your questions, and provide support. You will garner the best results from this course if you bring your laptop (we have wifi) and passwords for applicable accounts. Not sure if this is for you? Call 707-548-9823 and we can help you pick the right courses for you.
This class is part of an ongoing series of technology and social media events hosted and taught by Kerry Rego Consulting. If you have suggestions for classes you’d like to take, please let us know!
*People and tech, together changing the world.