Module 4 Reading Response

    Social Networking goes to school

      In the article by Michelle R. Davis Social networking goes to school, Mrs. Davis point s out the different kinds of technology educators are using in the classroom. She also shows how people around the world are using networking to expand the walls of their classrooms. This article speaks about obstacles that people face when trying to bring new technology into their schools. Some of the successful uses of social networking include connecting students to other classrooms around the country and around the world; also teachers and administrators are able to use the technology for professional development. Mrs. Davis discusses in this article how students in Florida classrooms are able to connect with students from Canada via Skpe to learn about Orca whales. Another school in North Carolina created a blog for students to post questions about math. Professional development is being conducted via twitter.
     Some of the obstacles educators are faced with when using new technology is that school systems and administrators who aren’t familiar with or don’t believe in the technology block their computer systems. The biggest issue teachers worry about are cyber bullying and privacy issues. As for me I believe that the use of technology in the classroom is valuable, however there must be certain controls established to make sure that students are being productive while using the technology. Students are using t he technology even when not in the classroom for social purposes and will continue to do so if not monitored properly. I agree with Mrs. Davis statement, “If you don’t take that golden opportunity to teach students about the responsibility of using these things, you lose a teachable moment.”