Of all the readings we have done so far, Chapter 3 in the Kist book hit home for me. It addressed my main concerns with bringing new medias into my classroom and introduced tools for getting around these concerns. First and foremost, I learned a new word! Intranet was a completely foreign concept to me, but if it is a way to introduce the web in a controlled and safe manner then I have absolutely no reason for not using this in my classroom. However, first I will have to have a very open and honest talk with my students about the very real threat that is cyberbullying. They need to know that what they post will be being monitored and that it is not alright for them to be mean to others no matter what media they are using. I also liked the rules that were mentioned. I think they are incredibly relevant and concise, and student's would "get it."
Also, from doing this assignment I have realized that I really don't mind blogging. It's a lot easier than I thought it was going to be and I actually get excited to read other's responses to my posts. I truly do think that I will try to integrate this into my classroom now that I know there is a safe way to do it. Students can be as creative as they want to be and the hyperlinking option is awesome! It's relevant and easy! It also would help to avoid a lot of the plagerism concerns I have, because they are just linking to the original rather than copying it as their own. However, a definition of plagerism will still need to be addressed before this is introduced because it is important for kids to know as they prepare for college or the real world.
Finally, I like this idea because, as was discussed in several of my classes so far this year, missing a day and preparing for a sub can be incredibly difficult. Having a "blog day" when I am absent would be super easy. The kids would still be being productive and all the sub would have to do is to monitor them. I think that this is a huge win-win!
My mom works as a library media assistant at a middle school in Ohio and they are a very "Tall"/"Grande" school. They have two technology centers and nicer computers, scanners, printers, and video equipment than most colleges! But I think what you said about cyberbullying is very important. During the first week of computer classes, all of the students at the middle school have to do projects and presentations on the dangers of bullying over the Internet and even sending inappropriate content, illegal file sharing, and computer hacking. I think that as educators, we should make sure that our students are aware of the dangers of the digital world and ensure that they are not part of the problem!
ReplyDeleteKeep in mind that all students at most, if not all schools, have to sign agreements/contracts for using technology and the internet. I believe that parents have to sign these, too. A lot of times teachers don't even go over these, they just collect them...so that's another way you could produce a teachable moment...by going over these contracts.
ReplyDeletePlus, you could have a separate one for your class, as well.