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Generation YES Express
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December 2007 | |
Hello friends!
As 2007 ends, I can't help but think about all the people I have crossed paths with during the year. Trips to Spain, China and throughout the U.S. have provided the opportunity to meet lots of memorable kids and teachers.
What burns most brightly in my mind are the hundreds of children I worked with in the war-torn West African nations of Sierra Leone and Liberia. These young people have endured 14 years of civil war, 20 years without electricity, and little opportunity for schooling. Yet their resilience, spirit and optimism for the future further my faith that this generation will succeed in creating peace on earth. I along with the entire Generation YES staff will continue to give the gift of empowering children throughout the world to use technology for the betterment of humanity.
I wish you all a wonderful holiday season and I hope we will cross paths in 2008.
Forward...Dennis Harper
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| Media Smart Day |
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| Seven schools in a nationwide pilot
Generation Y (our non-profit organization) has been working with Cable in the Classroom to develop a model for a new way to introduce the concept of being "media smart" to schools and communities.
The pilot Media Smart Days will include activities, contests, presentations, community involvement, and more -- all designed by students. These pilot Media Smart Days will be running now and right after the winter break.
To prepare for Media Smart Day, teams of students in each school planned, organized and managed their own events. The student-centered, student-driven nature of these events creates student ownership and creativity. We've already seen that the students have taken these days beyond all expectations. No surprise there!
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Holiday News
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Dear Santa, think digital
Dr. Dennis Harper was part of a Delaware New Journal article describing factors parents should consider when buying children technology gifts.
Student tech sherpas
We had a little quote competition going on around here, as Sylvia Martinez was quoted in a Christian Science Monitor article about schools in Maine where students help teachers use technology.
Generation YES 2008 calendars
The theme for this year's calendar is MyPlace. Generation YES students from around the world sent in photographs of themselves showing what makes their place a special place.
If you would like one mailed to you, please fill out our Contact Us form on the website and we'd be happy to send it out!
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Save the date in 2008!
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Constructivist Celebration at NECC
Did you miss last year's Constructivist Celebration @NECC? Be sure to get to NECC a day early for this one!  The Constructivist Celebration @NECC will be a day-long workshop that's so much fun we should call it a playshop. Recapture the feeling of being a learner AND get free software -- what a deal! Save the date - Sunday, June 29, 2008.Can't wait for San Antonio? You can read about the first Constructivist Celebration in the Atlanta Botanical Gardens last June. More details will come soon: in our blog, in the next GenYES Express newsletter, and on the Constructivist Consortium website.
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Ideas and Resources for Student Projects
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The Generation YES blog is a continuing source of ideas and resources for student projects and tech-loving teachers. Here are a few samples:
Blogging in Plain English
A terrific video on how blogs work. Show this to kids and teachers, or learn how students can make their own help videos.
iEARN International Collaboration Projects
The latest roundup of iEARN opportunities for students to participate in global collaboration projects.
Three Contests for Students
The Verizon Tech Savvy Awards, the Thinkquest 2008 Competion, and Google's Open Source Software Development Contest are all open and accepting entries.
Just for Fun Goodies!
Subscribe to the Generation YES blog and get great resources like this every day!
Subscribe in your favorite blog reader.
If blogs are blocked at your school, you can subscribe by email!
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Book reviews for holiday gift-giving occasions
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| Fostering Meaningful Learning Using Technology: What Educators Need to Know and Do
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That's All For This Issue of the Generation YES Express!
We hope you've enjoyed this email newsletter. If you have stories to
share or news clips about technology in education, student empowerment,
or funding for technology, please send them our way and you might see
them in the next issue (or on the blog)!
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