Responding to Question #3 posted 2/6/06 (listed at the end of this entry), I believe that overall technology is a valuable resource IF used intelligently. For example, if you give the keys to the family car to your 16-year-old, you have to know whether you can trust your son or daughter. This analogy applies to using the Internet with elementary students.
Do you know your students and do you trust them to effectively use the Internet and if so how will they dos so? We learned first-hand how suspect information on the Net can be and how easily propaganda and misinformation can be posted. It can also be quite accessible to children.
When a school district offers Internet accessibility, I think that it’s like ”opening a can of worms” to use another metaphor. The “can of worms” can help you catch fish. It can also get messy. Protecting your little fishermen becomes your responsibility and offering credible websites becomes a solution.
I believe that taking advantage of the latest technology is absolutely necessary for today’s teachers. I also think that it brings with it great responsibility and the need for training like we’re receiving in EDG618.
Personally, I think that blogs are an easy, effective communication tool. However, using them with elementary students assumes that 1) they have Internet access and a computer and access to both and 2) if they have access, are their guardians/ parents supportive of such technology?
Once elementary students master the three R’s and succeed in the traditional methods, I believe that technology could be used as a reward. At the same time, (and I know that I may be talking out of both sides of my mouth) technology may just “bridge the gap” for some students and allow teachers to make a connection with certain students.
Question: (Do you think that balancing technology with traditional methods is effective? If so, explain thoughtful strategies to determine when and how to balance technology (Example: blogs, etc.) with traditional methods (Examples: face to face communication, pencil to paper writing, etc.). If not, tell when technology should completely take over a task formerly done without electronic or digital assistance. Provide an example from your experience that would support either perspective.
