Many different issues are brought up in this chat. I will touch on a few of them.
The first is the gaining of information from the internet. To put it in simplest terms, what is good and what is bad? Since I am going to be using the internet, computers, and technology in general in my classroom, I think a primary way to leading my class in the right direction for the year and years to come, is to have a lesson on what sources are legitimate. Make them understand that not every website they go to has valid information. "For example, of the students tested, only 52% could accurately judge the objectivity of Web sites." My class will be part of that percentage!
There was also a discussion about the average age of computers in classrooms. I think schools should really attempt to get decent aged computers into the classroom. We have to make these students intrigued with learning! If those old, sooooo slow computers are still in classrooms, who is going to want to use those?
One man asked the question of whether technology is walking educators these days? In some ways and at some times it may be. The key is to start getting ahead. Yes, George Washington did not have a computer or ipod in his day. But, we do now. And what is the harm in using the tools that are in front of us. They surround us! We need to not be hostile towards the new technology and let it in so we can use it to the best of our ability, especially in the classroom.
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I agree about the age of computers - I am sitting in the non-traditional student lounge here on campus and let me tell you, the age of the computers in this lab is horrendous. Look at a video on my blog about Pennsylvania engaging in a $200 million project to get laptops in all of their schools to help their students be competitive with schools - not just locally or state-to-state but globally.
Willis, how will you teach internet literacy? How DO we read a URL to discover its origins?
I would like a clearer focus on the names of the discussants and direct quotes from the chat that you think are supportive of their "getting it" or not getting it.
I was also amused about the guy who claimed that George Washington did just fine without computers, so why do we need them? Well, of course Washington didn't have a computer, but, like the answer to this question, I'm sure he would have if they had them back then. We cannot compare people from even 5 or 10 years ago to us how because the world has changed so much - how can you possibly try to compare us to people and society hundreds of years ago?
Hi Willis, I'm browsing for new content.
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