T&L Advisor Guest post — Carl Hooker, Director of Instructional Technology, Eanes Independent School District: We know that kids today have access to knowledge and social connections right at their fingertips. As seen by the latest Pew Research study, nearly three-quarters of teens have access to a smart phone. With that access comes greater responsibility and education on the appropriate use of technology and social media--responsibility that schools might eschew towards the parent and that parents might defer to the school. In the wake of last month's Colorado High School "sexting" sting, one thing is for certain, both parents and schools need to be doing their part to have a conversation with teens even if it's uncomfortable. Why would kids do this? In some cases, it's considered a modern way to flirt. In the case of the Colorado school, many students used a photo vault app like the one I shared last year that looks like a calculator. Students trade these photos like trading cards and in some cases, students feel pressured to share illicit photos with other students (who in turn share it with others or post it on the web). As this year comes to end, take a moment to ask if these hard conversations are taking place in your community. I am a firm believer in the power of technology to enhance learning, so let's make sure we are all doing our part to help raise our awareness of all parts of our students' digital lives.
