I attended a professional development session today and I really enjoyed it. The first speaker was talking about how the internet has evolved to become not merely an information engine but now, communities live on the web. One's social life is on the Internet and through mediums like blogs, a person like me can have a voice that can be heard in the world-wide web.
His point was that because the Internet has evolved to such an extent and the students we try to engage in our classrooms practically live in online communities like facebook, myspace and blogs there are certain issues we need to address with them. First off, although they may seem like experts on the computer, actually their knowledge is superficial. Secondly, they have no/little awareness of the ramifications of posting inappropriate content on the Internet. With everything they post, they are leaving a digital footprint and this can be used by future employers to assess their integrity. Thirdly, because there is SO much information on the Internet, students need to be guided to sort out which information is relevant, irrelevant or simply inappropriate. So as teachers (I prefer the term facilitators of learning), these are the things we should consider when we are planning our lessons for these students in our classroom.
I'm tired now. it's cold and my feet are cold and i can feel the draught from outside coming through the cracks in my door! I'm also worrying about day 2 of prac ... but the Lord says that in nothing be anxious but in everything by prayer and petition let our requests be made known to God. amen!
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