I did teach middle grades in both schools, I had 2 classroom computers in my one and six in the other. Over the course of seven years, I had only ONE incident where a student used the computer inappropriately, and, in reality, it wasn't even a major issue.
Did kids go on sites they shouldn't have been in ever? I can honestly say I doubt it. Why and how?
1. GROUND RULES WERE SET... "Free" time (if there ever was any) students were allowed to go on one of five sites that were bookmarked already for them under "Fun". They included sites that were deemed fun by the students, but also APPROPRIATE.
2. When the technology was being used, IT WAS MONITORED... Too often I believe the "problems" associated with an open network stems from a lack of teacher involvement and monitoring... The teacher needs to make the norms of the classroom by both modeling and setting the expectations from Day One.
3. THEY WERE EDUCATED... From parental handouts, to a separate "web safety" section of the monthly newsletter, to the technology and classroom teacher STRESSING "netiquette", to the D.A.'s office coming in warning of the dangers, to a bunch of other events...
IT EVENTUALLY BECAME THE "NORM" OF THE SCHOOL....
The web should not be treated like Fort Knox, it should be treated as a resource that is invaluable for both student and teacher use, but there needs to be an education piece that goes along with the use of it. Recently I was in a school that had You Tube blocked. A resource as valuable as this should never be blocked. At this same school, web 2.0 tools such as wallwisher.com, edmodo.com, and wordle.net were also blocked. How can we expect our teachers to explore and learn when everywhere they look there is a big
Brad,
ReplyDeleteI had the same opportunity as you at one time, and you've nailed why it worked and the reasons it should be the norm!
Lani