Monday, November 2, 2009

Social Networking: Know More, Fear Less!

What technologies are students using today?
What is coming and how will these technologies fit into their lives?
What is the research telling us about the effects of these technologies on interpersonal relationships, problem solving, decision making, and higher order thinking?
How prevalent is misuse of these technologies with regard to interpersonal relationships, bullying, etc.?
How young is too young for children to be online and how much is too much?
How can parents monitor online usage?

FIND OUT!

On Saturday, 14 November 2009, Youth Connect will host a summit meeting for local families dealing with the impacts of social networking. The event, titled "Youth and Technology, Trends and Challenges: The New Social Norm," is free and open to the public, and will feature Cole W. Camplese, a nationally-recognized expert on the effects that technology has on education. Due to the high level of interest this event is expected to generate, Youth Connect is asking interested parents and students to please register by sending an email to youthconnect@hotmail.com no later than Thursday, 12 November.

Parents and students grades 6-12 are invited to attend this exciting event being co-hosted by Youth Connect partners Quaker Valley School District and Sewickley Academy from 9 am to noon in the Rea Auditorium on Sewickley Academy’s campus. Adult and student attendees will learn about the trends in adolescent technology use and how young people can maintain safe use of online technologies through a keynote address, age-appropriate break-out sessions, and a Pair and Share summit evaluation.

Parents will learn about social networking from expert users--local high school students--in a break-out session entitled, Social Networking 101 for Parents, while students will learn important ways to reduce risks in their break-out session, iKeep Safe – Staying Safe on the Net for secondary students.

Cole W. Camplese is the Director of Education and Technology Services at The Pennsylvania State University. As Director, it is his responsibility to oversee university-wide initiatives with a focus on impacting teaching and learning with technology. His primary area of focus is the integration of technologies into learning spaces. Mr. Camplese teaches courses in the College of Education with a focus on the integration and implementation of disruptive technologies into teaching and learning. He is an Apple Distinguished Educator, selected for his innovative uses of technology in and out of the classroom. As an established consultant, Mr. Camplese helps organizations integrate technologies into their business practices, education and training programs, and their internal and external communication processes. He is a published author and has presented both theoretical and practical concepts at regional and national conferences.