First blog entry--Week of June 29th
The Internet is here to stay, but as it has since it’s “inception” in the 1990’s (originally a Governmental tool created in the 1950’s) it has morphed into the bigger, better, stronger, faster, creature it is today. And, it will continue to do so, so long as people can continue to imagine and think, “What if…” The value of Internet resources available for education are also morphing, to the point where it seems the realm of possibility, as far as the Internet is concerned, is endless.
The value of Internet resources for education has also morphed over the years, but I do not believe it has been properly taught for nearly as long as it has existed. While it’s existence and usage is truly awesome, I believe its capabilities are even more so. This will come with time, as pre-service teacher programs start requiring more technology classes as part of their graduation requirements.
In the mean time, the Internet has brought to education a completely new way of collecting information (through searches), organize it (through social tools such as Delicious.com), and even store it (through on-line databases). Additionally, the Internet has opened the world of information up to the world itself. Students of all grades and ages can access databases without going to the places were this information was generated. They can do it at home, at school, at the library, or anyplace that has a computer and an Internet connection. And, instead of someone having to wait for a particular book on said research topic to come back into the library, multiple users can use the same on-line source at the same time.
Through the use of well designed assignments and web-quests, and creation of better curriculum, the Internet can and will be taught to students in a more pertinent and constructive way. I believe this includes teaching the basics in a more organized way, by starting with learning the different Top Level (US) Domains, such as .com, .net., .edu, .gov, and others.
As I stated above, the value of Internet resources for education is wonderful. We have come so far with what we can now do with a computer and an Internet connection that it can become overwhelming and intimidating. As more and more pre-service teachers are required to take more technology courses as graduation requirements, more tech-savvy professionals will be around to help teach students how to use it to the best of their abilities, AND, help teach students the newest, most up to date Internet resources as they pertain to education. --- Todd
Hi Todd~
ReplyDeleteWell said and correct!!! In my experience, I have come across more luddites than I could ever possibly imagine! The people that I work with seem to have this enormous apprehension of the Internet…and as you know fear is normally spawned from ignorance. I am thrilled to hear that new teacher programs are requiring technology courses. As we all know, technology is here to stay. If we want to be able to instruct our students properly, then we need to know not only what the students know, (in computer land) BUT MORE and how to use it properly!
Some constructive feedback regarding your blog page… it was tough for me to find the link on how to post a comment because of the color. Also, when I opened it up, on the right hand side was a box that said Internet explorer cannot open this page. I thought you might want to know! Other than that, GREAT WORK!!
Sincerely,
Kathryn
Thanks for the tips Kathryn! I'll have to check on this next Tuesday.
ReplyDeleteTodd,
ReplyDeleteI agree that the usage of the internet has not been properly taught. However I do have to comment on the thought about pre-service teachers being required to take tech classes...I was required to take tech classes in my undergraduate program before the year 2000 and know many other teachers who were also required to take tech classes as an undergrad but they don't seem to be any more likely to utilize the tech tools available to them then some of the teachers who have been teaching for years. So even if teachers know how to teach with the tools sometimes the demands on a classroom teacher are so much that we just don't have time.
Time is definately an issue. It shouldn't be but it is. I still feel though, that technology should be almost as important as reading and math. They will be using the technology, we should be able to have the time to teach it.
ReplyDelete