Sunday, September 15, 2013

What is the Internet?

In reference to Today Show clip, "What is the Internet Anyway"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUs7iG1mNjI&feature=youtu.be

    The year was 1994.  I graduated from college with an Associated Degree in Early Childhood Education.  All of my homework, essays and lessons from the previous two years were completed on a word processor.  I can’t begin to tell you how relieved I was to have that word processor to be able to make corrections right there on the screen and save my work to return to later.
    Fast forward to 2013.  This past summer I took several online courses, as well as this EXE 375 course.  All my work is completed and submitted through technological means.  I laughed a bit at the Today Show clip as I do vaguely remember the World Wide Web as an up and coming fast paced knowledge sharing/gaining option.  I too wasn’t sure how it all worked and what  “www.” was.  Now it is in the palm of my hand for access at all times.
    Digital natives are as young as infants, one year olds can use a smart phone!  I, as a digital immigrant, need to be in the know as to how to combat this deficit as a teacher.  The best way to do this and use technology as an educational advantage is to stay on top of it as best as possible.  Staying connected through Blogs and following RSS feeds can keep me informed.  I think the toughest challenge lies with convincing students to use these beneficial Web 2.0 tools for learning and not just social tools. They can spend all day Tweeting, posting photos to Instagram and LMS(Like My Status) for a Rate on Facebook.  The trick is to get them to post to a Wiki with students in Singapore to collaborate a lesson running a fictitious company.  This will give them life skills in real life type situations. 

3 comments:

  1. I think that you're doing a great job as a Internet Immigrant! Even with posting this blog, it looks great! I, as a "Internet Native" even had difficulty with this.. so you're doing well !

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks Chelsea. I love technology and though not a native I do my best to learn as much as I can with everything!

    ReplyDelete
  3. That is funny that you can remember that so clearly. I still recall the first time a professor required an email. Nobody had any idea what that was and we were scared to death!

    I love your point about shifting the use of social media in to a more useful and educational arena. That will be ONE of our goals this semester-- hopefully we see how it can be facilitated.

    ReplyDelete