The internet can be a wonderful source in the classroom and the students can research new information and use new tools for their assignments. The downfall is some of the websites are blocked due to school policies and the student can research certain materials. Also at the last school I was with anything with a username that the student needed to sign into was blocked. I found this very frustrating when most schools are wanting teachers to use new technology. Also giving the kids devices meanwhile they can't research or use certain websites such Google products, Prezi, Edmodo, Socrative is kind of a downfall. Basically the student uses the device to download games and take notes with in class. One parent made a good point with kids aren't learning proper keyboard skills with using these devices and with computers the kids would develop these skills. I also found some parents think the devices are a waste of time because the students aren't using the devices to the full extent and the student might as well being using a lab computer or pen and paper.
These thoughts were all going through my mind when Jon mentioned devices to a certain school division.
Blocked websites can be so frustrating, yes sometimes students will waste time on Facebook for example, but Facebook can also be very helpful, what if you're doing a project and you need pictures, boom login in to Facebook and you have hundreds of your pictures to choose from. I think the biggest problem is some schools think the negatives outweigh the positives and that's when you end up with everything being blocked.
ReplyDeleteI think you bring up some valid points here. I also have had frustrating experiences within schools. I believe we should teach the students how to be responsible internet citizens. We need prepare these students for when they graduate and get into the 'real world'. When they leave the school, there is no one out there to monitor where they go on the web. We must teach them how to identify what is acceptable and what is not.
ReplyDelete