A College Guidance Blog
When I first applied to college, the world was just beginning its transition into the information super age. Encarta was still releasing its mega encyclopedia on CD-ROM, and I still received AOL 1,000 hour discs in the mail. I went to the library to do research, used my land-line (we just called them phones) to keep in touch with friends, and ever transitioning pencil and paper address book with key contacts inside. I did not have an email address, cell phone, laptop (or desktop), or any form of social media to keep up with the world.
Our house's biggest venture into the tech world was a cable box. This beautiful little gray piece of plastic sat atop our television and gave me access to CNN Morning, BET News, and endless reruns of Save by the Bell. The internet (to which my television is now connected) was a figment of societal (and Al Gore's) imagination. I imagine that many of you reading this entry have had a similar experience. Perhaps you had a bag cell phone, a pager, or maybe even a word processor. It is likely, though, that you grew up with technology's cutting edge coming every few years, not every few months, or days, or hours. In fact, it is likely that when you applied to college there were significant barriers to entry:
Alas, as much as some of us luddites wish to harken back to these simpler days, technological growth is on a defined linear trajectory that cannot be avoided. In a mere 15 years since I submitted my first college application, technology has gone from a considered peripheral to an engrained cornerstone of our existence, and the existence of our young people. While the newest iterations of tech, including social media's Big Five: Facebook, Google+, Instagram, and LinkedIn, and Twitter have certainly created some social challenges, their benefits (arguably) far outweigh their drawbacks. A savvy, smart, purposeful user can leverage these tools to great advantage, especially in the increasingly tumultuous world of college admissions. With this in mind, I have compiled some ideas and guidelines for how to effectively use social media's Big Five to aid in your considerations for college...
Finally, it must be noted that getting involved in social media is as much about actively finding the information you need as it is about protecting yourself in the great digital social sphere. For young people, there is an increasing emphasis on managing their digital footprint, and being involved in social media is truly proactive management. Also, feel free to find me on Twitter: @michaeltdunn
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In 2001, consultant, speaker, and thought leader Marc Prensky coined the term Digital Native to describe young people and their upbringing in an environment full of ubiquitous technology. Marc describes the change in students in these early years of the 21st century as such:
" A really big discontinuity has taken place. One might even call it a “singularity” – an event which changes things so fundamentally that there is absolutely no going back. This so-called “singularity” is the arrival and rapid dissemination of digital technology in the last decades of the 20th century." (October, 2001) The earliest understandings of these so-called digital natives by folks that were not Marc, was that these young people were growing up in an age where it was a foregone conclusion that they were going to be technology experts. By exposing these young people to such tech at such a young age, the world was never going to be the same, and we were going to be left to deal with these technophiles chomping at the edges of their hard drives looking for more ways to get more tech into their seemingly (and alarmingly) low-tech lives. Here we are, 14 years later, and while the digital natives are certainly making headway toward their goal of singular integration (eg. Apple Watch, GPS wearing pets, programmable mini-computers), there is a void growing amongst this generation. The void comes in the form of student abilities to effectively leverage the available technology for productive and goal pursuant activities. Many students are particularly adept at using technology for social purposes, or to find fact-based information, but many lack the skills to do in-depth research on complicated topics. Thus enters the world of college and career research. With little doubt, information about both colleges and careers is more openly available now than ever before. Unfortunately, this information is often shrouded in marketing laden language and designed to hook students more than provide a semblance of transparency. With the pool of information continually growing, and student research skills still in question, our role as college counselor tech experts and teachers of 21st century skills becomes all the more imperative. As you look to the coming school year, here are 3 practical tech considerations for your counseling practice:
As your summer continues and you make time to consider ways to improve your practice for the fall, consider the role technology plays in your practice, and ways in which you can continue to hone your skills as a 21st century tech-savvy college counselor.
In the season of weekend getaways to the Jersey Shore, Rocky Mountain National Park, sunny Santa Barbara, Pike Place Market, and maybe even Boca Raton, families often encounter the dreaded task of picking music and/or other choice listenings for the long-haul-road-ahead. To take away a bit of the dread in making these choices, I urge for the consideration of the lesser known, slightly more intellectual additions to the road-trip mix: the Podcast.
For those not familiar with podcasts, they are digital audio or video files that can be readily downloaded or streamed for listening. They are often interviews or conversations on thematic topics that can feature experts on the featured topic. Think of them like an audio version of a blog entry, or an always available radio feature. In the world of college admissions/acceptance, planning, and information sharing, podcasts can be very insightful. Many college experts are willing to openly and candidly share their knowledge. Here are a few college related podcasts that should be added to your road trip queue...
About Admissions- A college admissions podcast featuring interviews by college experts and founders of AdmitHub Kirk Daulerio & Drew Magliozzi. Be sure to check out the whole series of podcasts by Kirk & Drew.
Interview with author Lacy Crawford - Hosted by satellite radio personality Michael Smerconish, this interview focuses on Lacy's recent publication Early Decision: A Novel about the stresses of college admissions.
College Smart Radio is a series of podcasts about a variety of college topics. This cast focuses on general planning and smart college financials.
In this podcast, the College Checklist interviews Judy Bass, an independent college counselor who specializes in planning for students with learning differences.
Of course, no road trip would be complete without a few more student friendly podcasts. Check out YesReneau's Youtube series that begins with her rejection from Stanford and acceptance to Harvard.
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