Using the internet in the classroom can be a good experience or bad depending on several things. For instance, in the videos I noticed the size of the class was quite large. That was a typical class size for me in Law School and some classes that were required in my undergraduate program. So monitoring internet use in a class like that would be hard. As the second video showed, students bring laptops not necessarily for class use. This is just trying to get everyone on the same page (so to speak). As you go down and read some of the articles you have provided, there are endless issues when using the internet in a classroom and the problems can be exponential depending on the class size.
For instance a list of challenges can include plagiarism, cheating, distractions (Facebook, email, video, music, games, etc.), privacy and the constant issue of kid safety. There are other issues of accessibility and cultural equity as well. I though both videos were great. The first video really lets America know we are falling behind and China and India are quickly surpassing us in technology.
Depending on the age of the class, a teacher would have very different issues. A younger age would need to be protected more from unsafe websites, privacy and general kid safety. As the class got older and more computer savvy these issues take a back burner, but then you become more concerned about plagiarism in particular to assignments. I think as the group gets older, the class would understand many of these issues (not to say they don’t happen).
I am not sure a teacher can prevent or protect a student/class from every possible issue. The technology is constantly changing and there are always someone out there who has figured something new out.
I agree with you about the problems we're likely to face when students have laptops in class, but I do have a different take on the topic of plagiarism. If teachers truly accept the implications of the 21st century information-age tools, they won't design lessons that allow students to “cheat by plagiarizing”. Thinking about this class, could we have possibly plagiarized any assignment we did in the class? I don’t think we could have; they were all designed in such a way that we had to synthesize what we learned and apply it to a specific problem. No way could we just pull up someone else’s work. This is why I say that well-designed lessons don't lend themselves to plagiarism. I know I'm out of step with most teachers, but I think that if students can find the answer to an assignment online, well, that is just being smart and using the tools available. It is up to us teachers to go beyond 19th century assignments, and when we do, students won't be put in the dilemma of ignoring what any smart person would do—using the wheel if it already exists.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree that plagiarism becomes a bigger deal as the student gets older because as teachers, we expect more from them in making the right choices. Ultimately, however, we have to make them accountable for their actions. If they decide to plagiarize, proper penalties should be in place.
ReplyDeleteAs for safety, I don't agree that safety issues decrease as they get older. In fact, as the computer teacher, I have to make an extra effort to protect my students not only from strangers but from themselves. Ultimately, it comes back to what I've already said. They have to learn to become accountable for their actions. I do what I can but they're ultimately responsible for making the right (or wrong) decisions. What's that saying? "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink." Sigh.
You bring up some valid points. Great point you mentioned about depending on the age level would depend on what challenges we face as teachers. I think if we start young and teach about kids safety, by the time these children reach high school they will be well groomed for using the internet. Some will fall through the cracks, but starting young will teach them young. The internet is here to stay, so we should do our best to embrace it and use it to its full potential.
ReplyDelete