I believe the Internet is a very useful tool in the classroom. It is a tool that combines and builds on other traditional sources of information. Since my classroom has access to the Internet questions the students have, which I cannot answer, are now easily looked found on the Internet. I am frequently looking up how-tos, tutorials, and trivial knowledge. With the help of the Internet these questions/problems are answered in a fraction of the time compared to if I had to find the answer using traditional methods i.e books, other teachers, or calling a technical support desk. Many of the questions that arise in my class are software based and with the help of the Internet and forums (if they are not blocked) can be answered quickly. I found a good website that had a section on “What can the Internet do for my classroom?” that talked about the internet as an expanded resource. (on a side note the internet at my school is currently not working so I guess I will waste some time playing games on my iphone until it comes back up) (on another side note don’t worry about Downingtown East students education because it is after school hours and I am allowed to waste time if I want.)
Now that the Internet is back up and running it is time to complain about using the Internet in the classroom. Though I love the Internet and feel lost and vulnerable without it there are a lot of concerns when using it in the classroom. One concern is students love to play games on the Internet. It was the first thing I did when I was in high school and it still is the first thing these students do, as soon as they have access to the internet they load a game. It is important as a teacher to be able to manage students while they are using the Internet. If a teacher cannot do this I feel the Internet doesn’t provide an educational value to the student. Vancouver Island University address this problem on their website with an article titled “Managing Student Use of the Internet During Instruction”. This article has some good tips on how to keep the students on task. I also think that the assignments assigned have a lot to do with how the students use the Internet. When students are given easier assignments that students can finish quickly they are more likely to use the Internet inappropriately. On the other hand when students are given rigorous (buzz word) work that takes up the whole period or time slot then they don’t use the Internet inappropriately.
When it comes down to it the Internet is a great tool that has the potential to enhance the teaching and learning process, but it just needs to be used correctly.
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Wow Wes,
ReplyDeleteMany good points. I didn't think about students downloading games in school, but I guess they figure why not? That makes it tough to keep their attention. I guess setting up guidelines, getting work done first might help this situation. Although, if the child wants to play games and not work, they are going to find a way to do it.
How well are the games blocked? Is that a possibility to help curb the gaming during the school day? I'm guessing that these games are not 'educational' - with respect to the curriculum you are required to teach these childrent. Maybe finding some games that incorporate the learning goals ... just a thought.
Wes, I agree with you right on about "abusing" the Net in the classroom. I've been contemplating it a lot lately, and I wonder what the solution is? If we don't block the web, or most web sites, there is still a lot of inappropriate computer use (content or misuse of time) that can occur - YouTube alone has so much crap and "video spam" nowadays, that's enough to cause issues. I sometimes wonder if part of it is how you approach Internet use and the classroom, and perhaps a discipline policy? For instance, "we won't block most of the web because we trust that you won't go to these sites and waste time. HOWEVER, if you do, these are the consequences. No tolerance." That's almost too inviting for them to break the rules, that I don't think it would work very well.
ReplyDeleteWhat's the URL for the Vancouver Island University page about lessening Internet distractions?
As you say, students really like games. You seem to indicate that you find that to be an "inappropriate" use of the internet. Teachers have always used games to teach children. Way back when, I can remember playing games like Jeopardy, Quizzo, Scrabble, etc. as an extension of learning. I have a nephew who works for a rather large defense contractor developing "games." Last December, an article in the "Parade" section of the Sunday paper included an article called "Can Video Games Teach Kids?" It is about a public school in New York that is using video games as the primary tool for teaching (http://qsl.org). Perhaps we should be making more use of games in our classrooms.
ReplyDeleteDoes your school have an internet policy? I know that a lot of time the technology people are "watching" as the kids use computers. I have heard stories of how kids are on Photobooth and then all the sudden the teacher gets a call about how a student on computer 15 is using Photobooth. I remember back in college when I took a technology class they said that seating arrangement is a very good way to solve that problem. If you sit towards the back with all the screens facing you, you are able to see whatever the kids are doing. Would that work for you? Maybe you already are doing that.
ReplyDeleteI think it's all about engaging the students in meaningful learning...
ReplyDelete