Don’t teach your kids this stuff. Please?
August 26, 2009
398 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?
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Kids will learn about technology sooner or later, with or without your help. Teaching your kids to use technology safely is a lot better than them learning at a friends house or at a library where they will just learn to misuse it.
Dr. McLeod, I read your blog for an assignment for Dr. Strange’s EDM 310 Class at the University of South Alabama. You can check out my class blog at http://nguyentrungedm310.blogspot.com/. I enjoy your sarcastic take on the use of technology in the 21st century. I agree with your views, but I do think that there has to be some form of restrictions on students in schools. However, I do agree with you about the fact that the biggest waste would not be utilizing this technology and to not incorporate it into our lives.
I’m reading this via Dr. Strange’s EDM310 class. I love the sarcastic approach and fully agree with you. Technology is an important part of education. As long as the teacher can teach it correctly and the student’s use it correctly, it is a wonderful relationship. You can see my full post at http://www.doughertycarlyedm310.blogspot.com
Hi Dr.McLeod, I am a student at the University of South Alabama and I am reading your post as an assignment in Dr. Strange’s EDM310 class. I enjoyed your post, I especially liked the sarcastic way in which you present it. This post is definitely attention getting. I believe that technology can be taken to far, but I also appreciate your sarcasm in presenting the other extreme:no technology. I also think it will be interesting to see who has “a leg up” ten or twenty years from now. Here is a link to my blog My Blog As well as my class’s blog <a href"edm310.blogspot.com"EDM310 Class Blog
Hi Dr.McLeod, I am a student at the University of South Alabama and I am reading your post as an assignment in Dr. Strange’s EDM310 class. I enjoyed your post, I especially liked the sarcastic way in which you present it. This post is definitely attention getting. I believe that technology can be taken to far, but I also appreciate your sarcasm in presenting the other extreme:no technology. I also think it will be interesting to see who has “a leg up” ten or twenty years from now.
Dr. McLeod, I really enjoyed your post. People have always told me that I am a very sarcastic person, so this blog falls right up my ally. However, I must argue that I am not sarcastic, I just have a dry sense of humor. Which apparently you and I are on the same page. But seriously, it is fantastic that you published this post. Hopefully, people who look down on technology and disapprove of their children having anything to do with it will realize that their children, yes they ones they have sheltered all their lives, WILL be exposed to technology. It is only a matter of time before children connect to the Internet, start blogging or social networking, and they will probably even get an email or two in their lives. Parents, teachers, and other students should help keep their children and friends safe by protecting them from harmful things on the Internet. This does not mean shelter them from it, it simply means to help them to understand so they are less likely to be susceptible to scams and other unethical activities. So parents, teach your kids how to SAFELY use the Internet. It will provide them with skills to make them a better learner in the future.
Hello Mr. McLeod,
I am a student in Dr. Strange’s EDM 310 class this semester and I have left a more detailed post in regards to your post on my blog. Your post is great but I don’t fully agree. All access to a kid is not what they need, just my opinion. In my post on my page I make a comment wondering what age group you are referring to. Kids in general is pretty broad, and my thoughts do change with a childs age. I agree they do need to know about this stuff but age, maturity and responsibility play a huge part in that too. I enjoyed reading this, you made me think! Thank You,
Jennifer Inscore
I am sorry Mr. McLeod, I did not leave my blog address in my previous response. http://inscorejenniferedm310.blogspot.com
Mr. McLeod,
I’ve been assigned by Dr. Strange to read this post. I really enjoyed reading what you have to say about technology! I agree to an extent. My parents got my brother a cell phone when he was 10. My parents did not do it because he is spoiled rotten. He never asked for a cell phone. My brother is very active and is always somewhere! When he goes to a friend’s house, we hate having to call the home phone to get in touch with him. When he goes to a football game with some friends, my parents don’t like having to give up their own cell phones so he can call us for any reason. So like I said, I completely agree on most levels! But for some things, I think it’s okay to incorporate technology in children’s lives. However, too many technical things is a little too much! Thanks for your post! I look forward to reading more from you. The following is a link to my blog: http://davisleahedm310.blogspot.com/
Leah Davis
Hi Mr. McLeod,
I’m in Dr. Strange’s EDM 310 class, and if you would like to see my full comment go to my blog.http://kelleyfrancesedm310.blogspot.com/ I really enjoyed this and it’s very true. If you take away all the technology from students they won’t know anything by the time they get older. You’re right to let your students learn with the different things you listed.
Dr. Mcleod,
I am a student in Dr. Stange’s EDM 310 class and he recomended we read your post. I am certainly glad he did because it was quite entertaining, not only that but I agree totally with your point. It is important that children are exposed to technology instead of being “sheltered” from it because in the longrun it is going to be essential for society. It is already important now and I too believe that a decade from now will be even more advanced. It is definitely important that parents teach their children to use technology safely now before the try to figure it out on their own. Thanks for your post, and if you would like to view my blog you can at http://dunawaystephanieedm310.blogspot.com/
Hi Mr. McLeod, my name is Leigh Setser and I read your post as an assignment for my EDM 310 class with Dr. Strange. I am attending the University of South Alabama and I am studying elementary education. I enjoyed reading your post and found it very entertaining. I agree with you in that we should not shelter children from learning through technology. I think there should be certain restrictions on certain sites and things like that in order to protect children. There is no need to totally block everything from them because it would be useless learning. I think it will be interesting to see who is ahead of who in the next decade
Dr. McLeod, I really enjoyed reading your blog post. It made me laugh, because just last year our son (11 yrs) and daughter (9yrs) wanted laptops. So, we bought them one to keep them off our laptop so much. They were playing those online games Free Realms and Wizard 101. Well, we added blocks to their laptops. We finally decided it was better to teach them to make “good choices” while using their laptops. They have actually taught our 6 year old and 4 year old how to Google animals (especially dogs) and they both play Wizard 101 and Free Realms. It is amazing to watch my four year old play those games.
I love your sarcasm! Technology is a very powerful tool. I know there are parents and educators out there that are completely opposed to students learning about computers and technology. I agree that some terrible things can happen on a computer when not used correctly, but that is why we should teach people the importance of how to safely use technology. You cannot protect children from everything. It is just as important for parents and teachers to learn about technology, so they can effectively monitor the children they are responsible for.
I am posting this for Dr. Strange’s EDM 310 class. I love the sarcastic approach you have taken with this. I have to agree with you on this. Whether we like it or not is really irrelevant, because sooner or later our children are going to learn about technology and I would rather my children be safe at being online than careless. Thanks for your post.
I am posting this for Dr. Strange’s EDM 310 class. I loved the blog and your approach to the situation. It is sad that there are still people in this world that think technology is a downfall. I however, will not be one of these people and I will most certainly teach technology to my future students. Thanks!
Dr. McLeod I am also a student in Dr. Strange’s EDM 310 class! I really enjoyed your approach to this topic. I liked the playful and sarcastic manner in which you introduced your opinions. I do feel that technology is important to be taught to children but I don’t think that it should be our primary concentration! If you would like to view my blog go to http://www.mohlermorganedm310.blogspot.com
Dr. McLeod I read this as part of an assignment for Dr. Strange. I like the unique display of getting your point across
Hi Dr. McLeod. I am reading this blog as part of an assignment. I really like the approach you have taken to get your point across about technology. I truly believe that if you teach someone about the great things that technology has to offer they are less likely to abuse it. You can check out my blog if you like My Blog
Hi, Dr. McLeod. I read your post as an assignment for Dr. Strange’s EDM310 at the University of South AL. I really like your post and the approach you took. Many parents do think like this and think that the internet is the devil. They do not realize if they teach their children how to appropriately use the internet then they will have less problems because of it. Thank you for sharing your thoughts you can view mine in My Blog.
Dr. McLeod, I was instructed by my EDM310 teacher, Dr. Strange, to read your post. I must admit, the first time I read it, I did not pay attention to the sarcasm you chose to use, and instead, too it quite literal. I chose to re-read it, and glad I did. I do concur that parents should teach their children how to properly use all these means of technology. Sure, in some instances, people use the internet not to do good, but it is the responsibility of the parent, as well as the individual to use fit for good. We should promote this technology because that is the way the world is moving, and we wouldn’t want to “cripple” our children and let them start out with a disadvantage. Thank you for your time.
Dr. McLeod,
I have read our post as an assignment for Dr. John Strange’s class, EDM310 at the University of South Alabama. I really enjoyed the sarcastic approach to your post. I actually took you seriously, until I re-read it. I believe some people honestly think in the way you portrayed sarcastically. Our society is evolving so quickly in means of technology and having an outlook as the one in your post will only hold those people back. Thank you for your ideas and your time. If you would like to read more on my reaction to your post, you can visit my blog here. My Blog
Dr. McLeod,
I read your blog as part of a blog assignment for Dr. Strange’s EDM 310 class. I agree with you. If you take a look at “older” people today, most of them have no clue what is going on in the world with technology. They are happy in their own little niches, and nothing anyone does can fix their stubbornness. However, we today as technologically inclined students, will one day become those “older” people, and we will be more likely to open our eyes to learning what our children learn.
Dr. McLeod
I read this blog post as an assignment for Dr. Strange’s EDM310 class as well. I’m with you. I am going to teach my students this as well as my own children. They are going to learn it eventually. Why not give them the proper tools to do so. If we teach them about it the right way, chances are they will do what is right. It goes back to the old saying, “when you tell a child not to do something, they are going to do it anyway” I want my children to have a broad sense of the world and that is more than any textbook can teach!
Hello Dr. McLeod,
I am reading this blog via an assignment of Dr. Strange’s at the University of South Alabama. I appreciate your style. How boring would the internet be if everyone wrote in the same way and thought the same thing. I appreciate you writing your thoughts uncensored. Yes, I believe they can be criticized. But I also believe that it would be worth nothing if it didn’t incite reactions.
You pointed out all the typical concerns that parents have about the internet. But the truth is, students can find negative things and trouble wherever they look. The internet is no exception. But, the internet, if utilized to it’s full potential, can be used to totally revolutionize our current teaching style. I believe it can make school and learning fun again. Education has the RESPONSIBILITY of keeping up with the world. Shouldn’t schools be at the forefront of all advancement in the first place since they are the one’s doing the TEACHING?
You can reach me at my blog, http://blackjennyedm310.blogspot.com/ or via Twitter, Jenny22Black. Thanks!
Dr. McLeod,
I am reading your post as an assignment for Dr. Strange’s EDM 310 class at USA. You’re post was interesting, although, I don’t fully agree with the whole thing. I had a cell phone at a young age, but that was only because my mom didn’t like to give up hers when we went places and I didn’t stay around her or when I stayed at a friends house, she didn’t want to call their house phone, so she just got me my own phone. I agree with the social networking thing though. I get friends requests on Facebook from kids who are 8 and 9 years old! That is way too young. For a while you had to have an .edu email address to have a Facebook, now anyone of any age can have one. Nice and fun post! You can check out my blog: http://www.hyattcarynedm310.blogspot.com
Mr.McLeod. I agree that children need too be monitored with the things that they do. Parents want to protect them from whatever they can and I would as well.
Dr. Mcleod,
I am in Dr. Strange’s EDM 310 class. I was assigned to read your post. I totally agree with you and loved your sarcastic approach to the topic. If you want to see more of what I had to say you can check out my blog
http://hayeskristenedm310.blogspot.com/
I am a student in Dr. Strange’s EDM class. I do agree that danger is everywhere, especially when it comes to computer technologies. Parents should definitely have guards on their children, but there is an extent to that. Parents can only guard their children so much until the kids are going to rebel. I think there are some things that are okay for them to interact with on the computer, but it should be handled as safely as possible and much of it should either be limited or not allowed until they are old enough for the parents to start letting them make certain decisions of what they can do on their own. Limit? Yes. Control everything? hhmmmmmm.
Dr. McLeod,
Initially reading this post I had a frown on my face until I tuned into the sarcasm. Children need to be monitored well but not confused with keeping technology from them. The children are our future and if they are not prepared to survive in a technological world then say goodbye to progression. I really enjoyed your post. I am a student in Dr. Strange’s EDM 310 class and reading your post was an assignment. My blog:http://lettlachandraedm310.blogspot.com/
Dear Mr. McLeod,
I really enjoyed reading your post. I thought it was very interesting how you also think that children don’t need all this technology to succeed. Where is all this going?
We did just fine as kids, and now we are able to use technology just fine. So why can’t the future kids do it?
I think that your post is going to make future parents think about their children.
Dr. McLeod, this post is primarily structured around teaching technology and not subject material. So, if we do not teach our kids these things you have listed but focus on subject material such as reading, writing, and mathematics, you will have a so called leg up in the future years to come? How so? Do you not think these subjects are important in today’s [or the future for that matter] society?
Hi Chris, thanks for the comment. The poem was really meant to highlight the fears that folks have about technology usage in schools and the disadvantages that accrue when we succumb to those fears, not to set up a contrast between ‘teaching tech’ or ‘teaching content.’
Dr. McLeod,
I loved it! I think that should be sent every parent in who has a child system just to see how many of them think that this real or that you are being serious? Many of them would only see words like ‘porn’ and ‘sexting’ and agree with you with out any regard sarcasm in the rest of this.
I would also bet that half wouldn’t even know what ‘PLNs’ or ‘hyperlink’ even mean. Maybe those words alone would cause them to agree that their child shouldn’t do any of the stuff because of their fear of ignorance in technology.
Anyways, kudos! I enjoyed it a lot.
Oh yeah, before I forget, I am in Dr. Strange’s EDM 310 class. If you want to know what I said about this blog post, just go to my blog: http://sobolewskichrisitnaedm310.blogspot.com
Thanks again! It was fantastic!
Dr. McLeod, I love how you use satire in order to show how strongly you believes in technology and the benefits it can bring to the field of education. Your point is valid because in these days, students will encounter technology everyday in their lives. How can anyone stop them from using it? It just makes sense to have them be creative with it and to help them make use of it in their daily lives. I am in Dr. Strange’s edm310 class at USA.
Dr. McLeod, I am taken this Class for Dr. Strange at University of South Alabama. I will have to disagree with your post. There are some level of truths in your post, but in today’s time Technology is part of the world we live in. For those people that do not learn to use technology, they will be left behind. I am example of this. I am having difficulty with this class being online, because I was not taught to use technology.
Ismael (and others), read over the last part again. This poem is meant to be sarcastic (until the end), not literal…
Dr. McLeod. I am currently an education major at the University of South Alabama. I read you post for Dr. Stange’s EDM 310 class. I loved this poem, and I love the sarcasm! I agree, children need to be monitored, but do not to be kept from technology. Technology is growing, and if the children are not understanding of technology then they will not be able to progress.
Hi Dr.McLeod, I am here for an assignment in Dr. Strange’s EDM310 class. Here is the link to our class blog: http://edm310.blogspot.com/
I enjoyed reading your post, but I am sorry to say that technology is part of progressing education. To avoid all the negative issues about technology, teach students proper ways about what to do, and warn them to stay away from irrelevant websites because it will get you in a lot of trouble.
Mr. Mcleod,
I am reading your post as an assignment for EDM 310 at the University of South Alabama. I thoroughly enjoyed your post although I have to admit I was confused at first. I was thinking to myself “Are you serious?” Until I read it over again I began to realize the humor in it all. Very good post and very truthful.
Feel free to check out MyBlog
Dr. McLeod,
I read your post as an assignment for Dr. Strange’s EDM 310 class at the University of South Alabama. I love this post! I think it is great that you are able to take such a serious subject and turn it into something so humorous and sarcastic. I completely agree with you that your students (as well as others who are given technological freedom) will “have a leg up”. I have posted a short response to this post on my class blog. You can view this at: http://brooksmattieedm310.blogspot.com/
Thank you for your time!
I read your post, ” Don’t Teach Your Kid’s This Stuff, Please?”, as an assignment for Dr. Strange’s EDM 310 class. I like how you wrote this in a sarcastic tone. I agree that student’s need technology in order to succeed in today’s world. I think student’s having this priviledge should be monitored also, because there is so much evil in this world, and it is thriving on the internet these days. You can visit my blog if you like at http://BosargeWhitneyedm310.blogspot.com.
Hi Scott,
My name is Brittany Schneider and I am a student in Dr. Strange’s EDM 310 class at the University of South Alabama. I appreciate your sarcastic views on this subject. I feel there are probably more people that feel this way about technology that I realize. I agree that technology should be utilized to enhance education. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Hello Dr. McLead,
My name is Ellie Irish-Jones and I was asked to read your blog as part of an assignment for my EDM 310 class taught by Dr. Strange at the University of South Alabama. I think your sarcastic approach to the topic of children using technology was creative and funny. I think you made many valid points, one being, yes there are dangers to using the internet but as there are with most things in life. If we educate these children in the right way then we should be okay. Parents who shelter their children from internet and all the amazing educational opportunities it offers are really cutting their children short. The use of technology and especially the internet can really open many doors for a growing mind. You can see my full response on my blog at http://irishjonesellieedm310.blogspot.com
Dr. Mcleod, I read this at Dr. Strange’s insistence. This post seems to come from someone who has dealt with many a naysayer. I agree with the importance of teaching technology. Kids who have access to the tools of tomorrow will be more polished when using them. The only thing I’d say to address the sarcasm is a rising tide lifts all boats. Thanks for the read.
Hi Dr. Mcleod, I am Ryne Baxter and I am in Dr. Strange’s EDM310 Class at the University of South Alabama. I liked the way you used sarcasm in your post, it really got your point across strongly. I agree that that technology is extremely important to us and our kids. I also agree that it would be ridiculous not to let our kids explore and discover through technology because it is a great way for them to learn.
Hey Dr. McLeod, my name is Laura. I am in Dr. Strange’s EDM310 class this fall. I enjoyed your post and I like your approach to the matter. I think people are afraid of what they do not understand, and unfortunately, there are a lot of people that still do not understand the uses of technology. It’s sad. I can see why the fears of ignorant people prompted you to write this post.
Hey! I am currently attending the University of South Alabama and in Dr. Strange’s Edm 310 class, and was told to comment on your blog. click hereto check out my blog. I really liked how you used your use of words. I think that internet can be a very dangerous place, and I really liked how your made people aware of that.
Hi, Dr. McLeod in am in Dr. Strange’s EDM 310 class at USA and reading your blog was one of our assignments. This is a very interesting and powerful statement you have made with minimal words. I agree with teaching the children who will be running our country one day to be up to date on technological advancements also. You can read my complete response @ http://mathenymalissaedm310.blogspot.com/
It’s amazing to me how reluctant people are to accept technology. Sure, there are people that misuse technology, but the advances made through technology are a necessary part of our present and future society. Shouldn’t we teach our children how to use technology safely, rather than just let them learn on their own the hard way?
Dr. McLeod: My name is Wade Bias and I am a student in Dr. Strange’s EDM 310 Class at the University of South Alabama. Your post was done in an interesting way with a great message. As parents and teachers we should expose our children to real world issues. They key is to closely moniter them. You can read my blog at http://biaswadeedm310.blogspot.com
Dr. McLeod… I read your post for an assignment for Dr. Strange’s EDM 310 Class. I enjoyed reading your sarcastic take about technology in today’s time. It was an eye catcher for me. You can read my full comment about your post at http://www.yorkjameicaedm310.blogspot.com.
Thanks
Hi, Mr. Mcleod. I am a student at the University of South Alabama and I have been assigned to read this post for Dr. Strange’s EDM 310 class. I agree with you when you say that children should be exposed to the many uses of technology, however, I also think that a child’s age and maturity level determine if they are responsible enough to be trusted with using it. i don’t think it would be hard for a child to be misled in the uses of technology, but with correct guidance they can greatly benefit from it.