Journal #4: It's Time to Trust Teachers with the Internet (NETS-T: 4,5)

Schaffhauser, D. (2010, December 1). It's time to trust teachers with the internet:a conversation with meg ormiston. Retrieved from http://thejournal.com/articles/2010/12/01/its-time-to-trust-teachers-with-the-internet-a-conversation-with-meg-ormiston.aspx?sc_lang=en 

I really liked this article because the author addressed an issue about how schools are not integrating modern technology into the classroom. I agree with the author that if administrators can trust teacher’s to educate our future leaders, we must trust the same individuals to have the freedom to both promote and regulate students while on maneuvering across the World Wide Web. Social networking can be vital to our children’s success in their futures. Kids already have full or partial access to the internet in their homes. In the 21^st century, I believe that women like Meg Ormiston proposes an issue that if not addressed could be detrimental to our future education on a national level.  I really like the statement Ormiston shared at the end of her article, “We can’t blanket-block everything because that’s also blocking learning.” This statement supports informing our children about what exists on the internet instead of pretending like it is not present in our society.

Q1: How would I see myself supporting access to social sites and resources in a classroom? I would promote extra credit assignments that encouraged student’s exploration of particular sites. I would request the administration of the school to hire a technology specialist who could educate teachers about current and up and coming materials online.

Q2: How could we inform administrators about the importance of modern technology and the need for teacher’s access to social networking sites? I believe that we should require administrators to attend conferences. Administrators need to not fear the unknown world of the internet and to understand the advantages of employing resources on the internet.