Journal 9 The kids are all right

Is all the time that children spend on the internet value added for their lives? According to one study it is. The study argues that students are gaining from the immense amount of time that is spent on social networking sites like myspace and facebook or on surfing the internet on topics of interest. Teachers need to recognize that time and find ways to utilize and incorporate that into the classroom. Many of the students are involved in non traditional groups online that can still add value to classroom settings or by encouraging the student's pursuit of knowledge a teacher can encourage learning, albeit in a non traditional way.
Another thing is that teachers need to recognize and encourage students' knowledge of technology and their ease in its use. Teachers who are not as comfortable with the internet and the technology that is available could set up lesson plans for students to build wikis or blogs that are student run. With the help of another teacher or even a student, these are easy to set up and now the teacher is encouraging learning and knowledge seeking in settings that the students feel more comfortable in. A lot of students would feel more comfortable writing a 2500 word blog instead of a 2500 word paper essay. It is the same thing but in a different format. As a teacher, you may need to set the grammar parameters for the assignment, but allow the students some creativity. By giving students some leeway and allowing them some freedom in a media that they excel in, a teacher might find that more is achieved in the long run.

1. What is an example of how a teacher could incorporate a student's computer usage into the classroom?
Many students today are amazingly well versed in using programs like photo shop or other photo editing and graphic design programs. Allowing the students to embrace this technology instead of a traditional art form for a project would be a great example.

2. If a teacher is unfamiliar or uncomfortable with the technology world, what are some of the resources available to them?
Teachers need to become engaged in technology. Students expect their teachers to understand it. When a teacher doesn't, the students may see that teacher as out of touch. There are so many great sites on the internet that make the learning process easy and fun. Search youtube for a video on how to perform a task on the internet and a hundred different videos will probably pop up. Atomic Learning is a great site that provides easy and uncomplicated directions and tutorials on using many of the common computer applications that exist today. Have another faculty member help you learn. You may find that they can help you with technology and you can help them with cool science lessons or art ideas. Every teacher has their strengths. You don't need to become an expert, just become competent and learn how to find the answers when you have a question.

John K. Waters, "The Kids Are All Right," T.H.E. Journal, 3/1/2009, http://www.thejournal.com/articles/24104