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?
Now it is getting difficult to teach children.
Technology is only a scary thing if you don’t know how to use it. Anything can be a distraction if it isn’t used properly, but with monitering and guidance, the world of technology can be one of the best learning tools that a teacher has. Great post!
Hi, I’m a student in EDM310 at the University of South Alabama. I like the way you wrote this. I’m sarcastic so I related to this way of writing a lot easier. There are definitely some pros and cons to using technology in the classroom. I agree with there being a chance of bullying and sexting, but there comes a point where we have to trust them. Either they get their work done or they fail.
Hi Dr. McLeod!
My name is Wannetta Fincher, and I am currently taking EDM310 with Dr. Strange at the University of South Alabama in Mobile. I am going to be a health educator. First of all, I would like to thank you for sharing such a great post. I completely agree that many people can be too protective over children having access to the internet and become very frustrated when students use cellphones in class. Sometimes I can become completely lost if I become fixated on a single word that I cannot comprehend through context. Luckily, with internet or a smartphone, I can find out within seconds. Sometimes people feel threatened by technology that they are unfamiliar; I can definitely relate to that. And yes, there are downsides to the amount of information on the internet, however helping the students validate and synthesize information and informing students about the potential dangers will create a safer learning environment. Again, great delivery and diction. I look forward to more of your posts.
W. FIncher