Journal 4

 Journal 4: “It’s Time to Trust Teachers with the Internet: A Conversation with Meg Ormiston” (NETS 3)

Schaffhause, Dian (12/01/10) Retrieved from http://thejournal.com/articles/2010/12/01/its-time-to-trust-teachers-with-the-internet-a-conversation-with-meg-ormiston.aspx?sc_lang=en

Summary:  Meg Ormiston feels that we need to teach our students responsibility when it comes to letting them surf the internet.  She explains that by blocking everything, we also block learning.  She uses YouTube as an example.  There are several videos on YouTube that can be beneficial in the learning environment but there are also inappropriate videos.   It is up to the teachers to ensure and guide the students to making wise choices in the classroom as what sites they visit at the school.  She feels that if teachers can be trusted to teach students then they should be trusted with the internet.

This sounds like a great persuasive writing topic!

Q1.  Often there is only one teacher in the classroom so how do you manage all of your students and what sight they are on?

A1.  As always the teacher does the best job they can of supervising all the students while they are in the classroom.  Online access mishaps can happen just as easy as bullying.  This falls under the one student that ruined for the rest of the students.

Q2.  What should be the punishment for a student who is caught visiting inappropriate web sites at school?

A1.  Each students needs to sign a document stating they have read and understand the internet policy rules.  I look at it like cheating.  They know it is wrong and for one reason or another, they decide to make the wrong decision.  A students internet privileges should be revoked for a certain period of time to give them time to reflect on their decision and to learn that it can be difficult to complete some of your classwork if your internet access is restricted.