There has been a lot written about the “next generation”.  A lot is written by experts, sociologists, pshychologists, economists, academics, etc.  (just fill in the ….ist)

Well, I am not any of these but I am the mother of a few of them and I spent 18 weeks teaching 22 of them Computer/Technology Concepts.  It was fun.   I wanted to share a few things I learned about myself and about these kids.

1. The most important thing I learned is that when the Home is in chaos a student is just not ready to learn.  Wow, you say, groundbreaking news.  Well, if you have heard this before have you really thought about it.  Have you really thought about the consequences to our society now that we have produced a generation where the MAJORITY of kids come from broken homes.  These kids are making there way through an education system that is not equipped, nor should it have to be, to minister to the hearts and minds of students who are hurting and confused.
2. I learned that kids have a wonderful capacity for creativity and expression using technology.  Yes, we get frustrated with them because they change all the computer settings and only seem to care about what there profile picture looks like but it is their way of communcating to the world.  It’s our job as adults and parents to help them learn approprate use.
3. Students need constant introduction to the working world.  Traditional education has simply not kept pace with what the working world needs.  In fact most young people simply don’t have a great picture of what areas of expertise the working world needs in the future.  They hear about traditional career fields but are rarely introduced to new and growing fields in technology, science, and medicine.

Well, it was a good time with these students.  But back to VA work for me.