Geoffrey Canada
Harlem Children's Zone
Harlem, N.Y.

Saving the World, One Child at a Time

Opening General Session
Saturday, March 6
10:00–11:45 a.m
Hall A

Today's youth face problems that most people never imagined. The issues of violence, gangs, drugs, and failing schools are everywhere—in urban and rural, rich and poor communities—and often have tragic consequences. Answers cannot be found in any one strategy. Individuals, families, schools, and communities must work together to develop a plan of action to save today's children. Educator and advocate Geoffrey Canada will offer a vision that with hard work, dedication, and prioritization of resources we can create a safe, caring, and stimulating environment for all children.

Don Tapscott
nGenera Insight
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Growing Up Digital: The Net Generation and the Transformation of Learning

Second General Session
Sunday, March 7
10:00–11:45 a.m
Hall A

The Net Generation is the first generation to come of age in the digital age. Digital media and the Internet are at the heart of a new youth culture for a generation of young people who, in profound and fundamental ways, learn, work, play, communicate, shop, and create communities very differently than their parents. For the first time in human history, children are authorities on a central innovation, and this generation gap is leading to far-reaching changes in learning and social institutions. In this session, Don Tapscott will examine some key issues surrounding learning and the Net Generation. How is this generation different? How do they learn differently than their baby boomer parents? How can we change schools and the model of pedagogy for relevance and effectiveness? What new perspectives should we adopt on teaching, learning, and learning communities?

John Merrow
Learning Matters
New York, N.Y.

The Future of Public Schools and Democracy

Closing General Session
Monday, March 8
10:00–11:45 a.m
Hall A

John Merrow has been reporting from classrooms and schools for 35 years for the Public Broadcasting Service and National Public Radio and is also a member of Listen Up! Youth Media Network, which helps youth around the world be heard in the mass media. Using many short video clips, he will offer his thoughts on what lies ahead for public schools and, by extension, American democracy. His analysis will include reflections on the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, national standards and tests, Teach for America and other increasingly popular alternate certification programs, and what he calls the new ADD, "Affection Deficit Disorder."