SLATE 2011: Steve Dembo – Learning to Speak Native
Steve mentions we need to make sure that we aren’t doing “old things in new ways”. He mentions the TechBook and describes how it drives teachers crazy at first because there is no chapter one. We need to do new things in new ways. Beyond the textbook sort of thinking.
Steve talked about his son and the fact that he wants the opposite of what most school districts are trying to provide. He wants his son’s first and last name and location attached to everything that he does. Why wouldn’t he want that? We are all making a digital footprint, why not make the experience into a professional portfolio starting at a young age. A good example of this is College Confidential. Used appropriately, this kind of site can be used for long term planning. Colleges are sure to be looking at a site like that.
Crowdspring is another interesting place that evens the playing field for anyone. Students can be participating in projects there right now. Kickstarter is another project based place. Here students come up with a business plan and actually set it into motion in the real world. These are the places that kids need to be to work on their digital portfolios. The reality is that places will not hire unless you have a positive presence on the internet. Don’t bother with a traditional resume – it isn’t worth anything. Having no presence at all is just as harmful as having a negative presence.
Steve shared a story of a CEO that looks for his VP’s on World of Warcraft and not on the golf course anymore. If you can lead a guild on World of Warcraft, you have the same skills that you need to lead in the corporate world. If you have 10,000 followers on Twitter, that has to mean something about you as a leader.
We must be prepping students to thrive in the digital world. It is open and transparent.
Steve shared some sites that are worth looking at:
The bottom line is: How can we use sites like the ones listed above in a way that they were not intended for? We can’t fall into “Box of Legos” syndrome, where we only build what is on the box.
Tags: Steve Dembo