Nancy Finn loves Applied Digital Skills because it's all about the kids

My students can take a project or task and make it their own. When they know they can introduce their own personality into the projects they are more motivated to do the work. It keeps these teens happy, occupied and on task, which I appreciate!

They loved Plan and Promote An Event! I gave the kids the option to plan whatever event they wanted. We had a quinceañera, a shoe store opening, two pool parties, three soccer tournaments, a Cubs game—and many more. I always ask for feedback from my students after we complete a lesson. In this case, almost all the comments focused on personal choice: "It's your own choice... I like that I can call it my own... I feel like my voice is coming out in this project."; Applied Digital Skills gives kids a sense of ownership when it comes to technology.

The majority of my students have a deep connection to Mexican culture. I use the Create a Guide to an Area lesson to help my students affirm and explore this connection. For a field trip, my class is going to the National Museum of Mexican Art and then to dinner at their favorite Mexican restaurant. I let them choose five additional places to visit as well. The kids get to make their own map of the city and act as tour guides for one another. It's a really cool opportunity to celebrate their contemporary culture, their history, their identity. Using the technology makes my students feel more at home.

The best part is the flexibility. You can do all the lessons, or you can do the one lesson that's most applicable to your class. You can make it fit the specific learning style of each one of your students.