Don’t teach your kids this stuff. Please?
August 26, 2009
485 Comments
dear parent
teacher
administrator
board member
don't teach your kids to read
for the Web
to scan
RSS
aggregate
synthesize
don't teach your kids to write
online
pen and paper aren't going anywhere
since when do kids need an audience?
no need to hyperlink
make videos
audio
Flash
no connecting, now
no social networking
or online chat
or comments
or PLNs
blogs and twitter?
how self-absorbed
what a bunch of crap
and definitely, absolutely, resolutely, no cell phones
block it all
lock it down
keep it out
it's evil, you know
there's bad stuff out there
gotta keep your children safe
don't you know collaboration is just another word for cheating?
don't you know how much junk is out there?
haven't you ever heard of sexting?
of cyberbullying?
a computer 24-7? no thanks
I don't want them
creating
sharing
thinking
learning
you know they're just going to look at porn
and hook up with predators
we can't trust them
don't do any of it, please
really
'cause I'm doing all of it with my kids
can't wait to see who has a leg up in a decade or two
can you?
Largest U.S. universities
i hate that
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My name is Joe Hunter and I really enjoyed your post.
Hello my name is Sarah Clever and I am a student in EDM 310 at the University of South Alabama. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog because I absolutely agree. I think that is neat how you tell others not to teach their children/students about these things so yours will be a step ahead. If we teach our students about technology and the future of the world, they will understand when they are exposed to it later on in life in the real world. Thank you for sharing and I hope that it touches others the way it touched me.
Mr McLeod, your sense of humor and sarcasm couldn’t have been any better. Your description of everything not to do on computers were dead on because of the risks factors. Also, the ending on how it tied everything together was perfect and kept the reader guessing. Parents do keep their children from using computers because they are uneducated about what computers are actually about and how to correctly teach their child the right material. Technology is spreading rapidly throughout the world especially through kids. The adults need to make sure we aren’t getting left behind.
Mr. McLeod, your sense of humor and sarcasm couldn’t have been any better. Your description of everything not to do on computers were dead on because of the risks factors. Also, the ending on how it tied everything together was perfect and kept the reader guessing. Parents do keep their children from using computers because they are uneducated about what computers are actually about and how to correctly teach their child the right material. Technology is spreading rapidly throughout the world especially through kids. The adults need to make sure we aren’t getting left behind.
Dr. McLeod
I am a student in EDM310 at the University of South Alabama. I liked the humorous expression of common ideas about technology. The role of technology in teaching seems to be changing slowly. I can see how deep seeded the ideas regarding kids using technology are. I have heard all of those misconceptions and recognize the need to bring them out into the open. Thank you for your post Dr McLeod.
Sincerely,
Robert Fisher
Dr. Mcleod,
I am a student in EDM310 at the university of South Alabama. I do agree with you but I just feel like children on the internet need to be monitored closely. So much harm can come at them if they are left to it alone. I feel like it can be a wonderful tool that can help them blossom. Yet I feel as though their is degrading, racy, predators, and many more harmful things that they can be exposed to at a age too early. I do believe in blocking sites and hindering what they are exposed to but i feel as though guided in the right way it can be more beneficial then harmful.
Ash Baumann
I love the sarcasm. I can see myself saying something just like to get my point across. You honestly had me going for a second. As I read down the page, I was thinking “I am about to have to leave a huge disagreement comment”, but right at the end I got on board!
Hey Mr. McLeod,
My name is Magan Crum. I am a student in Dr. Strange’s EDM 310 class at the University of South Alabama. While reading your post I was a little disturbed. Yes, I realize that computers, and web is showing our youth negative things. It also, opens different opportunities in different ways. It has aloud our kids to be diverse and learn new things. A lot of parents can not afford to take their children around the world, with this technology they can experience traveling in a classroom. I do not think taking them away from it will solve the issue. We as adults should teach them what is right and wrong. I am all for technology and learning how to make it useful.
Dr. McLeod,
My name is Anna Darby. I am an EDM 310 student at the University of South Alabama. I love this post. Although it’s sarcastic, the real truth is hidden behind it. Why shouldn’t teach their kids about all of this stuff? They are too afraid of the consequences. But what is there to be afraid of? Everyone should want to help their children to further their education. No one should be left out. The negativity that follows is nothing new. But the positives outweigh the negatives.
Dr.McLeod,
I am a student in Dr.Strange’s EDM 310 class at the University of South Alabama. I enjoyed reading your blog. It challenged my thinking a little. I would have to say that I stand on the fence of the issue of technology in classrooms. On one side I strongly feel as if technology can be a bit much in the classroom at times. It seems as if kids these days don’t even have to know the real value of writing because the computer does it for them. Even spelling isn’t that important because if a student misspells a word, the computer can just correct it while in the meantime the student just carries on without grasping the fact that they need to focus on their spelling.
On the other side of the argument, I feel as if technology is important in the classroom. The new aged ways that technology is incorporated in the classroom definitely can be beneficial and though technology can be used as a distraction and in negative ways, if we as teachers teach the correct ways to use them, then we can avoid any problems occurring.
My name is Ashley Fallo. I am a student at the University of South Alabama and a student in EDM 310. Your post was very thought provoking. I liked how you used a sarcastic tone to make your point. I completely agree with you, people are way too judgmental when it comes to technology. If technology is used the right way there are many benefits that it has. The world is moving in that direction and there is no way to stop it but you can learn how to use it properly and teach your children those ways. I enjoyed reading your post.
Dr. McLeod,
My name is Joy Eady, Im currently taking Dr. Strange’s Edm310 class at the University of South Alabama. I totally agree with your post. I think it is great how you use sarcasm as a tool to make your point about learning the new technology. I think we should definitely teach our children all about technology and try keeping them up to date on all the new advancements. Yes, negativity does sometimes follow technology, but we should not stray away from teaching it.
Dear Dr. McLeod
I am a student in EDM310 at the University of South Alabama and I was reading through your post. At first, I really thought you were portraying yourself as a Luddite. But as I delved into your post a little further, paying close attention to more than just the words on the page. I found your message to be a warning to all those who oppose the oncoming tide of technology. If we don’t change, we will be left behind. In your warning you placed real warnings for those who are naive of the dangers when you give this gift of unlimited knowledge to your children. Please be aware of where they tread. Make sure you, the parent, the teacher, or the mentor are aware of where they have been, where they are, and where they are going. I agree with your post and I applaud your attempts at using reverse psychology to make people think of what is really necessary for our children to succeed in this new technological developing world.
Thank You,
Jason Lynch
My name is Lindsey Edwards and I am student in EDM 310 at the University of South Alabama. I enjoyed reading your post about teaching kids technology. We are scared that teaching children about various sources of technology will lead to bad things, such as pornography and sexual predators. We don’t think about the fact that not teaching them could hold them back in the future. Technology is becoming a large part of our society and it will only increase. In order for children to be successful in the future they must begin now and continue learning throughout their life. Technology has allowed for children to learn and connect with people around the world. It allows for more application and enhances the learning process. I completely agree with you that teaching them now will greatly affect their success in the future.
Dr. McLeod,
My name is Heather Rigby. I am a student in Dr.Strange’s EDM 310 class at the University of South Alabama. I find your post amazing. People will always fear something good. People take the old saying “too good to be true” to heart and apply it to too many things. I mean technology is taking off in our world today. Every child owns a piece of technology and can utilize it to their ability. So I think the real question is why not?
Dr. McLeod,
My name is Kasey Mooney, I am a student in Dr.Strange’s EDM 310 at the University of South Alabama.I find your post quite interesting. I think that using sarcasm is a good way to get someones attention. I would have to agree that kids who are using and becoming familiar with technology now do have a leg up on the future. Technology is expanding and becoming more and more demanding and relied upon. I think that students should know how to use the new technology and have a “leg up” on things, but I do think it does need to be done under supervision.
Mr. McLeod,
My name is Sara Cardwell. I am a student in Dr. Strange’s EDM 310 class at the University of South Alabama. The first time I read your post, I did not fully get the meaning behind it. After reading it the second time, I completely understand where you are coming from. I liked how you used a sarcastic way of writing your blog. The point comes out better that way. People in today’s world need to stop focusing on the negatives that technology has to offer and start focusing on the positives that come with technology.
Wonderful post Mr. McLeod! My name is Shaun Coleman from EDM310 class at South Alabama. Enjoyed reading this I totally agree with this. I believe technology has ruined our youth and it scares me to think about what the future holds for my kids.
Mr. Mcleod, you make a good point. I’m a student at the University of South Alabama and what you said is very logical. Yes, there are bad things that children have access to, but isn’t there bullying in schools? Aren’t children having babies? Isn’t that creepy uncle the predator? A parent, teacher, administrator, and board member cannot protect the children from everything immoral in this world. We would have to take each child and keep them in a box their whole lives. Children should have the opportunity to join this technological world, however, we must educate them on how to stay away from bad situations that they may regret later.
Dr. McLeod,
It excites me that there are educators in this country that are challenging the old way of thinking about education. I am currently a student at The University of South Alabama and am pursuing a degree in education. I realize, do in large part to theEDM310 class I am in enrolled in, that we are the future of education in America. It is our responsibility to bring our students and ourselves further into this technological revolution, how ever intimidating that might sound…
Dr. Mcleod, my name is Carrie Whitt and I am a Student in Dr. Strange’s EDM 310 class at the University of South Alabama. I enjoyed thoroughly the creative way in which you got your point across. It is true that some people still feel as though technology is just nuisance in todays society. I am with you all the way, we must not fight this inevitable transformation in society, and instead embrace if we ever have any hopes of succeeding. Thank you.
Dr. McLeod,
I am a student in Edm 310 at the University of South Alabama. I really enjoyed reading your post. The way you argued your point really made this interesting to read. I completely agree with you. We cant eleminate technology because our future is in the technology.
Hi, Mr. Mcleoud my name is Donte Todd. I am currently enrolled in Dr. Strange’s EDM 310 class. Firs,t I would like to say that you have a very unique way of addressing the technology debate. I think you are correct and I agree with the sarcasim that was used in this blog. Being technologically intelligent in our generation is no longer a “maybe”, it is now a “must”.
Hi my name is Byronn Brye and I attend EDM310 at University of South Alabama. I like how you came off telling parents not to teach there kids about computers and technology. I think that was priceless and if any parent out there thinks there kids will not need computers think again. Everything in today’s society is run or will be run based on computers.
Dr. McLeod,
My name is Derkesha Dale and I am a student in EDM310 at the University of South Alabama. I enjoyed reading your post and I agree with you as to why technology should be used by children. Yes, it is true that cyber bullying exist, predators are online, and cheating goes on. As adults, we should teach kids about the positives and negatives of internet use, such as time limits, which sites to visit, and if they are able to have social networking pages, such as Twitter or Facebook.
Mr. McLeod, this is a hilarious post! I agree with introducing children to technology, children learning how to use technology, and children using technology. Technology is what the next generation will be using and they must be prepared. I say the earlier they learn the better off they will be. I do believe that we should make sure our children are aware of cyber predators, cyber bullying, and all other inappropriate uses of the internet. Other than that children need to dive into the world of technology and have fun doing it!
I once read. “Teachers prepare their students for a world they themselves may never see.” Technology is a very real part of that.
Dr. Mcleod,
When I first began to read your post, I said to myself well he is totatlly against technology in the classroom. I thought your post was very straight forward. You really kept me guessing as to what the conclusion of your post was going to be. Great post!