Article Reflection

Title: Navigating Social Networks as Learning Tools

Author: Will Richardson

We as a society are just beginning to break into this new world in which, with the aid of technology, we can do things together globally. The possibilities are exciting, revolutionizing our methods in education. But dangers are ever present, our students and children commonly search through the endless amounts of information, opinions, propaganda, and social networks without the assistance of educators or even parents. They are not being educated in its proper use or need for caution.  The internet world of their parents and teachers was one of passive search and retrieval of information, now they have a “read/write” relationship anyone that potentially cross their digital paths. These same children and teenagers are able to produce fairly sophisticated products such as video to be posted online to a much greater ability that the majority of adults. Our young people are interacting in a vast world of “internet connections” that generate a whole new style of classroom and learning, in which anyone can become a student of another who might share similar passions.

This online 24 hour collaboration has led to a major “tectonic shift” in the course of our human existence. All of us who have access to the web are able to learn in groups that reach across cultures, space, and time. All facets of our life are in transition, and our education systems are beginning to feel the change as well. The major issue lies in how far behind the technology curve most educational professionals reside. Many teachers live in a paper world, citing disinterest or lack of time, causing them to remain technology illiterate. The problem is that if we want to “speak our students’ language”, we’ll need to model our passion for learning and developing proper network relationships.

I personally love all the possibilities the internet has to offer to education. But I think we really need to lay out on the table all the dangers and problems that exist. As we put more of ourselves out on the internet, checking ourselves in places on Facebook, and tagging locations can put the wrong kind of information into the hands of people who don’t have the right motivations. Parents who may not have the full understanding of the type of direction their children need, tend to let the internet do the babysitting. Using the internet for entertainment purposes can develop into harmful and addictive behavior. I believe that we need to work collaboratively, schools, communities, and families to brainstorm how we can educate our children, keep them safe, and use the amazing potential of the internet to revolutionize how we do school.  

Tech Biases and Beliefs

Assignment next week: Tech Biases and BeliefsHow do you feel about the use of technology in the classroom?

• Obviously in today's world, students were often born and raised on some sort of tech device. I have had students who can't sleep at night if their trusty smartphone is not resting next to their bed. Being that students are immersed in a tech world. it seems quite logical that we as teachers really must incorporate technology into our classrooms to improve learning. 

Are there certain types of technologies you like, don't like?

• I love the possibilities of tablets in the classroom, but also are a bit wary of them as well. One of my old schools that I used to work at has gone completely iPad! They do not have your traditional paper textbook in the school at all. All the texts have been digitalized, teacher's editions included. This has definitely excited the students and has gone a long way for increasing the reputation of the school as a cutting edge educational organization. Teachers and students alike are pushing the boundaries of education on a daily basis because they are forced to incorporate personal technology in a classroom setting that traditionally has revolved around a book and lecture. 

• On the other hand I have had quite a number of teachers describe a high degree of frustration in the daily use of the iPad. Students often find many ways to distract themselves through games and videos that then disengages the students from what the teacher is trying to accomplish in the lesson. Those teachers stated that its frustrating trying to compete for the students attention and if given the choice, students who struggle in the class will rarely choose staying on task over playing online games. If teachers are not properly trained in the use of iPads in the classroom, they can become more of a distraction than a help. 

What have been your educational technology experiences?

• All my classes have some technology incorporation built into the lessons, projects have students writing assignments for my social studies classes use google docs or google presentations. They share their different drafts with each other for peer review as well as myself to help those students produce quality work that match expectations. Beyond that I have not dug deep in the uses of other online applications that could improve the learning for my classes.

What are you hoping to discover in these classes this year? What are you hoping to avoid?

• I am excited about the possibilities of discover new educational tools that I am not currently aware of or familiar with. I would then like to learn how best to incorporate them into the classroom. I use the online tools quite a bit, but mostly to help myself become more efficient rather than discovering new ways to use them in my classes. 
• I would like to avoid just relying on my current knowledge of online applications and use previous ideas to fulfill the assignment requirements for this class. Rather I would like to dig a little deeper and produce all new content and ideas.