Teachers entering the profession today are expected to be active participants in activities that determine their success or failure. They are most likely to respond to the positive reinforcement that results from a feeling they are valuable and contributing members of a collaborative effort.
According to Marisa Beard in her article Internet offers Benefits to Children and Teachers, she clearly outlines ways in which teachers and students can incorporate the use of the internet in the teaching learning environment. Marisa also mentioned that the internet can allow students to be connected with the outside world without actually visiting or making a trip to the place. www.wiu.edu/thecenter/articles/benefits.html
The internet provides a wealth of resources and information that make teaching exciting and new. The internet is also an ideal mechanism for encouraging students to assume responsibility for their own learning. As students find different learning resources on the internet, they become active participants in their quest of knowledge.
Do we have a choice?
Using the internet is not an option. The use of the internet in my school and school district makes up 85 percent of my job. Monday through Friday teachers have no choice but to log on and do the following via the internet.
1. Mark attendance.
2. Record grades.
3. Read daily school news
4. Read email from other teachers, administrators, parents, and even school district personnel.
As educators it is very important that we continue to appreciate the importance of technology and come to the realization that we cannot shone to implement technology in our everyday lives. In this global awareness era, we must ensure that our skills are sharpened and the use of the internet should not be painful but rather easy to manipulate. Our students are exposed to technology and not to mention the use of the internet. They are able to download games, search for information, and even 90 percent have a social network account. Therefore as educators it is our responsibility to continuously upgrade ourselves and become expertise in using the internet.
Personal Experience
The students in my class recently did a research on 200 years of America’s History. They were given various choices on how to present their findings. Most students created power points. They emailed their power points to me and I had to access their power points using the internet. One outstanding student created a website with her presentation. She was able to share her website and her presentation with the class, which was very fascinating. The students were able to see her profile, comments on her projects by her families /friends, and her favorites.
Who is responsible?
At my school the Technology facilitator and his team are responsible for creating or developing various programs, and learning tools for teachers. The onus is no given to teachers to “jump” and create. There must be channel teachers need to follow or go through. This is a way of protecting teachers and students. Also Internet Safety is very important, therefore teachers use the internet but are very cautious.
My dear there is so much a teacher has to do on the internet daily that there is no going around it. Implementing it in our classroom instruction is no longer optional it is a MUST.Visionary leaders we are, as we make a difference in our classrooms. Thank you my friend for an insightful post.
ReplyDeleteNice post! I agree with your last comments, it is not just jump into the internet and do something we need to plan in advanced and be prepare to support our kids and guide them by the right path.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right. There is no alternative for teachers as technology advances. It is either we use it or get left behind.Great post!
ReplyDeleteNice post. I particularly like your description of how one of your kids used it. I suspect we will see more and more "Wendy's" as time progresses.
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