After reading (aka skipping every few pages to get the gist
of each chunk) NetSmart I felt okay
about my internet habits. I honestly don’t do that much research on stuff. Most
of the resources for my classroom I get are from coworkers. I try to stay away
from the news sources because I am a hermit and all politics annoy me J
My students are much different, as the resources they get
from their peers are obnoxious videos of people in ridiculous outfits singing
really dumb songs. My inner monologue has been going back and forth since last
class – to put things simply, whose job is it to teach our students how to be
net smart? I see my kids 45 minutes once a week to frantically try to put
together a concert. There aren’t computers or research projects, and the only
homework is to practice their instrument.
I think it’s one of those ‘it’s everyone’s job and also
nobody’s job.’ Parents need to be involved with what their kids are doing
online, but I know that’s not always happening. Classroom teachers use
research, but also have way too many subjects to squish into their days.
Specialists either use a lot or don’t use any researching. Does it actually say
in any teacher’s program of studies that there is a unit on showing kids how to
be net smart? Or is it just something we assume everyone else is doing?
I agree with your questions about whose job it is to students to be net smart. As a mother of two teenage girls, I take it as my responsibility to raise girls that are wise in their internet usage. I appreciate that it is difficult to know how to empower our students and trying to determine the balance of technology usage in the classroom. At least we can raise the questions and possibly all move students in the right direction.
ReplyDeleteStacey, you raise great questions regarding whose responsibility it is to teach students to be net smart in today's vast world of digital media and the Internet. "It's everyone's job and also nobody's job." -What a powerful and frightening comment because of the reality to it. Educators seem to be adding more hats to their job descriptions than ever before... teacher, parent, mediator, counselor, technology resource educator, reading specialist, information specialist... It can be overwhelming, but if all educators do something towards preparing themselves and students to use these five literacies outlined in his book to stay safe and to be effective, focused and responsible members of this growing global community.
ReplyDeleteHey Stacey! Hope you had a great Thanksgiving. This is indeed a problem - I think teachers assume that parents are teaching these good Internet habits and vice versa. Whose job is it? It definitely has to be a team effort, because teachers can't possibly be expected to squeeze everything in, as you said. The basic safety stuff has to begin at home. Are teachers the first ones to teach kids not to talk to strangers? No, that has to begin at home. That said, I think it's definitely a team effort. Teachers will guide students through responsible and productive uses of the web and apps, so that they don't go through life thinking the Internet is just a cute cat video delivery system! Kids have to learn that they can use the web to get a job, to start a business, to promote a cause, to get a message out - all of that useful stuff! That stuff should begin at home, but continue in the classroom!
ReplyDeleteI think the trouble comes in those situations of 'it’s everyone’s job and also nobody’s job' are when the whole community thinks it's somebody else's job and then bad things transpire and people wonder how did we get here. But your questions should be asked in our school communities because it is such a vital skill not just for research in school or a job skill but because of the ramifications of a generation growing up to believe cart blanche anything they read online is terrifying. It'd be entertaining if I could just find a show about it...
ReplyDelete