Empowering Students with Technology

As I read through the first three chapters of Empowering Students with Technology, I was struck by this idea of Alan November's ,"In this stage of the transition from the isolated to the connected classroom, we need leaders who can help their colleagues understand how to move to a team based environment. " This part of Chapter 1 continues to discusss the difference between automating and informating w hich I had not thought about until this reading.  The thought that we, in this class, have the opportunity to be the leaders helping our fellow teachers connect to each other around the world through technololgy is a powerful responsibility. Are we ready for such a challenge?  Is it possible that we are ahead of the curve in our schools and we willneed to be the next professional development presenters? Thoughts?

As I reflect on the text, my idea of information literacy is having the ability to determine the validity of the information or content found in websites on the internet.  In order to be Internet “literate”, a user must first understand how to access the information and then how to determine if the source of the information is reputable.  According to Alan November, this also implies understanding the nuts and bolts of all the symbols used in website names and how to successfully navigate to a website or its links.   Students or users of any age must be taught strategies for using the internet.  M.A.P.ping the Internet in my mind basically means dissecting a website address into what Alan November identifies as the three major parts of a website address:  The Meta-web Information, the Author, and the Purpose of the website.  My comfort level to “navigate” to and from websites, I now realize I am certainly not “Internet literate”!  My understanding of November’s M.A.P.ping is as follows:

                The Meta-web information relates to the actual web page address, the links or sites to which the web page is connected and the search engine or research tool used to look for the information you request.

The Author is the person who designed, wrote, and posted the website to the Internet.

The Purpose refers to the reason the author put the website on the internet. 

 Alan November’s information that I found very significant was the differences between the .coms, .edus and the tilde.  This information will assist me in teaching students how to navigate and use information with reliability. Knowing that “.com” relates to commercial sites, .edu refers to educational institution and the tilde meant a personal rather than a professional position on a topic is essential for guiding students on their quest for Internet information. The meaning of each part of a web address is essential for the user’s success in locating valid or current information on the subject being researched.

              Relationships require communication between two or more objects and being connected in some way.  Technology requires communication.  In order to use communications tools such as a telephone, cell phone, fax or computer systems, services are required and relationships much be developed to get started. 

                Ideas discussed in this chapter are about relationships.  I have used many of these techniques, including teamwork, learning with a purpose, family involvement.  In this chapter, Alan November refers to the importance of critical thinking skills for all participants.  Critical thinking skills are developed and improved through communication, creations and analysis of our work.  The Internet can assist with this learning and link communication and relationships. Through the effective use of technology, better relationships can be developed between the school and the families it serves.  There would be improved communication about the expectations for the student and the ongoing progress shared with the parents.  It improves the ability for teachers to communicate with each other about challenges, successes.  The opportunity for students to develop cultural sensitivity and awareness can significantly improve the ability of students to become more diverse in understanding people with beliefs that are different than their own.

          November reminds us that we are learners for life as well as teachers when it to Internet use is evident.  The control that teachers have over their class is hard to let go of and that is especially true as we try to teach and learn at the same time.  It is difficult to have enough self confidence to give our students their freedom so they can have some control in their learning. “Asking students for help will be a skill that some teachers will have to polish or learn from scratch” was a good thought for reverse mentoring.  Self confidence or not many teachers will find it uncomfortable to “giving up control of the traditional teaching/learning dynamic.”  Change is always tricky but the educational system has been heading for a collaborative plan. Data teams, co teaching and the many programs that are available on the Web for students as well as teachers encourage interactions  with their peers around the globe so that the roles may shift somewhat but we all will be learning  from each other.

So now my questions are many.  How do teachers get all of this moving in the postive direction? What needs to be top priority in our districts so teachers and students can integrate classroom learning and technology?  Where are the resources going to come from so that all students will have access to technology so they can be competitive in the future?