We've all had our eyes opened at least a little bit in the last few weeks of this course with Mr. Smith. We all see the raw potential of a computer...of the internet and what it has to offer. Social media, open source items, unbelievable amounts of data, sharing of ideas and concepts. The simple yet unbelievable power of an e-mail - just think about what an e-mail would have done to the world 300 years ago. The long journey across the Atlantic Ocean conquered within SECONDS! Truly people take what we have today for granted - whether through great understanding or little.
What does this mean to a teacher? What does this mean to you? Can you grasp the amount of power at your fingertips - at mine as I type this sentence? I do not think I can, personally - not at least fully. Uncle Ben got it right when he told Peter Parker with great power comes great responsibility - because in your classroom you hold a great responsibility with what is at your disposal; to use technology efficiently and with compassion. If you can not truly appreciate the power that you hold with these tools one must ask themselves, how can students?
Power is poisoning, and can create laziness and desensitize from creativity. Social media tools can be used with slanderous agendas, taking the school drama to the child's home. Internet bullying is real and hurts just as much as in the hallways. You as a teacher controls your domain in the classroom and if you see a problem in the hall you can step in, of course! But...you can not police children on the internet. This problem has only increased with increased social media, but of course Facebooks main design idea was not to create a drama zone for teenagers - but that is just the nature of the beast; the internet. Look up the slew of reports you can find on Googles doorstep - young adults have died because of the onslaught brought upon them 24/7.
Bullying is not new - to any of us. Whether we were the victim, the cause, the voice, or the silent neutral party, we all know what bullying is. I offer no solutions to this problem on an internet scale. Prevention and talking to students is what works but we as educators never see the full picture usually until the damage has been done. I offer no solutions nor real suggestions because it honestly baffles me on how to do whats best for the students when I myself am still learning how to present technology in an efficient manner.
I will ask you this: If we are unsure and uneducated about the internet and computer applications what ability do we have to keep students aware of its possible danger? We can always learn more about a computer and about a student - but what can we do to prevent a misuse of power between their fellow peers? And this is just the beginning of this age of technology, what sort of Facebook will be out in twenty years? Harmony can exist between education and technology, but there will always be those who will abuse its gifts - this is the nature of humanity at any level whether in High School or not.
human nature, that is the conflicting factor in any aspect of life. I like how you identified both sides of the spectrum of the digital domain
ReplyDeleteYou provided many sides to this arguement, which is important in a post about this topic. The technology 20 years from now scares me because of how much of a difference I have seen just in the past few years. There will be a lot of advancements, but I just hope that they are beneficial. While this can be scary, I am also excited and interested at what will be to come and how much of our lives will be able to be run by technology.
ReplyDeleteIn my rant today during class, this very thing is what I was pressing. We have to teach you and our future students how to use the internet appropriately. We can't stop it all, but if we show kids how to report misuses and abuses in and outside of school, then we have done part of our job. Outreach programs to parents and the community is another way. Many parents just don't know what there kids are doing online. I am friends with all of my girls on Facebook. I have access codes to all of their log in's, to emails, and phone locks. My girls know how to be responsible or they lose the privilege.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, very well written. Quoting Spiderman - nicely done sir.
You make several good points. I agree that there are many dangers out there when it comes to children and the internet. Parents and teachers can do there best to teach children responsibility and what is appropriate. However, we are not able to control or even monitor everything. We can educate our children and provide them with all the tools to make informed and responsible decision, but in the end it is their choice. I agree with Mr. Smith that we can and should monitor their actions and know what they are doing. However, when it comes down to it, we cannot control everything. I disagree with your statement that there can be true harmony between education and technology simply because of what you said~~human nature. There is no true harmony in human nature, so I don't believe there can be true harmony in something as big and largely uncensored as the internet and technology.
ReplyDelete@Amy good point. Human nature has brought us many a genocide and Farm Aide - how do we expect to control that spectrum? Simple steps: teach; educate; expect; reward.
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