Random Ramblings

Whew!  Been a few weeks since I have blogged.  Seems like everything that could have happened has.  But, we’ve been dealing with a few things in my department that I just needed to share and ask for opinions.

We are struggling with the idea of how much do we protect the students from the Internet and how much we allow them to grow.  I’m assuming that by that statement you can figure out where I stand.  I am all in favor of teaching students the positives and possible downfalls of the Internet.  If we don’t teach the students, how will they know?

Is it better to shut everything down and shelter our students or teach them the correct way to surf the Internet?  I’m afraid there are some who are of the opinion that it is better to shut everything down.  Hmmmmm, and what do the kids do when they are given a few freedoms? They won’t know how to work the Internet safely.

So, where do we stand?  Do we shelter or do we teach?  I, of course, am definitely standing on the teach side of the road.  Where are you?

If you get an opportunity, check out a couple of new sites and let me know what you think:   Glogster and Animoto.  I’d like to share these with my teachers and would like your opinion first.  Both are wonderful resources, but are they safe enough for our students?  Are there truly any sites on the Internet that are 100% ‘safe’?

Until next time ~ Danita

    Flickr

Are you a networked teacher? I had never thought of that term until I saw the Edublogs Magazine.

I loved the visual. So, how many of the connections do you make??

From the Edublogs Magazine:

Visualizing the Networked Teacher

Published by Lorelle VanFossen on 2 Feb 2008

This popular flickr image by courosa, called “The Networked Teacher”, is a strong visual representation of the modern teacher, showing how educators today are more “interconnected” with resources than a teacher not even ten years ago could imagine.

To many, this is overwhelming. To others, it’s just how it is. To a special few, it opens up a whole world of the possible, finding creative inspiration, support, collaboration, and strength in each connection.

What does it mean to you? And does this represent you?

About the author: Lorelle VanFossen is known for her work on Lorelle on WordPress, covering blogging and WordPress, Taking Your Camera on the Road about travel and photography, Lorelle’s Family History Blog, as well as her work on the Blog Herald and Blogger and Podcaster Magazine. Read more magazine posts by Lorelle VanFossen.

We MUST be connected if we are to reach our students. I feel I preach on this a lot, but I am very passionate about this topic. Our kiddos see the world through completely different glasses than we. Unfortunately, there are some of us who haven’t even put on the glasses. What can we do to “catch up”?

I have several people ask how I find the time to stay up to date on new Internet occurrences. It’s a passion I have. I want to be able to talk to my students on their level. I want to understand when they are talking about a new social networking site. I want to learn. I don’t want to be left behind. Do you?

Until next time ~ Danita

Flickr