Thursday, June 16, 2011

Journal 4: NETS I-V

Schaffhauser, D. (2010, December 1). It's time to trust teachers with the internet:: a conversation with Meg Ormiston. Retrieved from http://thejournal.com/Articles/2010/12/01/Its-Time-To-Trust-Teachers-with-the-Internet-A-Conversation-with-Meg-Ormiston.aspx?sc_lang=en&Page=1

In this article, Meg Ormiston addresses the most common fears that parents and teachers have when it comes to the internet, and their children.  There are many things a child can run into online that we as adults want to shield them from.  However, the internet also has so many things that can be beneficial in the classroom.  Ormiston advocates the importance of learning to use the internet in a safe and responsible manner.  She feels as though schools waste so much time on restricting access to “inappropriate sites” that could actually be used to help the educational success of the students.  She understands that certain sites must be blocked, like those that contain pornography, but, limiting any and all social networks may hurt more than help the problem.  With all of the budget cuts schools are faced with, teachers are forced to come up with new ways to teach their children with half of the resources.  Sites like YouTube, which are free and extremely easy to navigate, have many videos that could serve as a teaching tool and yet it is blocked on many campuses. 
Question 1: By unblocking these websites, how can a teacher be sure that students won’t take advantage of it?
With today’s advancements in technology, there is no guarantee that the students are not already on these restricted websites with their cellphones under the desks.  As long as you let them know that you are putting your trust in them and that you expect they respect their privileges, they should be okay.  Throw in a contract for them to sign and you’re golden.
Question 2: How could I promote the use of technology in the classroom as a new teacher?
It’s always hard to be taken seriously when you’re the new kid on the block anywhere, especially when you’re a first year student.   That is why I took this class.  There are so many wonderful tools we use, it will be easy to convince those in charge when I show them even a small percentage of what we did in class.  I might even get them to sign up for Twitter.