As a teacher in the K-12 setting, I am very much for using the Internet in the Classroom, as I believe that the benefits outweigh the negatives. I feel that educating all ages is a challenge, and that challenge is kind of what teaching is all about. Each child is different and not everyone is going to learn the same. Our society as a whole is engaged with the computing ways of present. It would be nonsensical to omit this tool from education, as education does not stop at the classroom door.
As Steve Hargadon in his blog, Moving Toward Web 2.0 in K-12 Education, points out “most of our students are already actively involved in this content and conversation outside of school” and “we see the ever increasing amount of content as ‘conversations’ that are taking place, it becomes an educational imperative to teach ourselves and students to be productive participants in those conversations”. He then goes on to relate the responsibilities of educating youth of the web and all its workings to the responsibilities of educating the youth on driver’s education. I feel the same, as it is here to stay weather it is in the classroom or out, it affects the student’s lives. Education is a powerful tool and can change a person’s life, so it needs to be used correctly.
After learning about the many challenges and issues and possibly having all the students on laptops in a classroom, it would be prudent to teach the students etiquette, rules, appropriateness, laws and dangers of the internet. The school needs to develop an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) as demonstrated in Getting Started on the Internet: Developing an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP). I learned so much form this article. I think that with the upcoming trends to incorporate the Internet in the classroom, there needs to be serious development and education among all the stakeholders and learners. The Internet touches many lives and the users need to be aware of their potential actions.
I think at the K-12 setting, one of the most popular themes that would be challenging and something that could be maybe reduced through education is Bullying and Cyber bulling. I am envisioning educating early on this topic, as I am ever amazed as to how young it starts. Children could have a simulation game and really become involved in learning about what it means to have an impact on human feelings. They can form groups to collaborate and intervene. I have a feeling that for some kids the computer in cyber bullying is taking away the humanistic part of life. They might not be so cruel if they were face to face with someone, so how can we use the computer to put the humanistic touch back into these kids? Could this education also put the red flag kids at our attention much sooner? That is, if we are paying attention!
I agree with you that it is necessary to teach the students what is appropiate for the classroom while using the internet. Proper etiquette and the laws and dangers that lure around getting on the wrong websites need to be addressed and needs to be done right away so students are not in harmsway. In my blog response I harped no cyber bullying and how this can occur if students are free to roam on the internet if teachers do not restrict certain websites and ensure everyone's safety. Nice job in bringing specific points from the reading to your blog response. This shows your attention to detail and how you incorporated the reading with your own opinion. Nice job in your blog.
ReplyDeleteThat's right, weather it is in the classroom or out, it affects the student’s lives. i also read the article about AUP and referred it in my posting.^_^From another website I read that there is a nother Second Life especially for teens. I don't know whether it is new but I think it is helpful.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, do your children also go to internet for some information or not? In their class, teachers also use internet as a tool??~~
"Challenge is what teaching's all about," you hit it on the head right there. Whenever something new comes about it's a challenge to figure out the best way to use it to our advantage, but more often than not it all pays off in the end.
ReplyDeleteI too got a lot out of the AUP site, and think it's something teachers, administrators, parents and students should all become well versed in rather than just a flip through and a signature at the bottom indicating it's been read. Since the internet is becoming a more prominent tool for education, it's important that all parties know the risks, advantages, and consequences for breaking the rules.