Indicate whether you think the Internet and Web will have a major impact in one or more of the following areas:
a. Educational programs at K-12.
I feel K-12 education has many restrictions when it comes to technology. There is access to numerous things on the Internet, but teachers have to be cautious of what is out there and plan very carefully of student activity on the Internet. I believe this plays a key role in the resistance or hesitation to fully climb on board and really fuel our K-12 students with many interactive Internet experiences. I like what Reiser and Dempsey wrote about technology in the schools "...an increased presence of technology in the schools does not necessarily mean an increased use of that technology for instructional purposes" (pg. 35). Once teachers have a strong grasp as to what is appropriate, enhances the curriculum and makes learning more meaningful will we see a major impact on those students. The high school students have more leeway than the elementary and even secondary, but there still are many restrictions as to what teachers and students are able to accomplish. Eventually, over time we will see the Internet playing a larger part in the education of K-12 students.
b. Higher Education (Community Colleges, Colleges, and Universities)
The internet is a lifesavor for college. I couldn't imagine not having readily available access to the internet during the course of my studies. There are many courses now available online as well as Online Universities, it makes life easier. People are put under so many demands when you can complete the same course online as driving to a university, it is a no brainer that the online course is going to win. Students save on gas, commuting time, they have access to work on their assignments when it fits in their schedule, there are countless advantages. The Internet has already made a huge impact on higher education and I can only see things soaring from here. Reiser and Dempsey share successful statistics, "In the past few years, interest in using the Internet for instructional purposes has also been rapidly growing in higher education and the military. For example, between 1994-95 and the 1997-98 academic year enrollment in distance learning courses in institutions that offered distance learning..nearly doubled" (pg. 35). I would be curious what 2007-08 academic school would compare to 1997-98. In my personal experience, I have had great success thus far utilizing distance learning. I can't imagine what will come in 10 years or even 5 years!
c. Adult Education (in business, government, and military)
Training seems to be one of the reoccuring pieces in addressing the impact on adult education. Training for the military and businesses. The Internet has dramatically changed business' over the past decade. There are numerous online business that are very successful. As I was reading through the chapter I was thinking about gamers. 15 years ago gaming is not what it has evolved into today. I was watching something on t.v. where gamers compete against other gamers all around the world for quite a bit of money. Who would have thought gaming would be able to pay the bills. Wasn't it our parents that told us to stop playing all of those games they'll rot your brain. This industry wouldn't exsist if it wasn't for the Internet. All the time there are advertisements on television for online businesses promoting working from home and showing testimonials of people living on the beach of California in a beautiful house making $10,000 a month. Again, this something that 10 years ago we wouldn't have seen. The internet has become a fundamental tool in adult education. When I need to find out information, I surf the Web as do many others.
Sharon Peterson edited Week 2 Wikis
16 years ago
5 comments:
I think a lot of teachers are concerned with security and appropriatness of what students have access to while on the internet. I think another issue is the fact that in k-12 not everyone has access to internet at home and its not like they can drive to library when in elementary and middle school. So teachers have to provide ample time in school for any projects. And as discussed this can be difficult with all other demands placed upon teachers by their districts. At college students either have access or can get to a place were there is access so professors do not need to provide as much in class time. I also found it interesting what you said about online gamming. When I am gamming and someone asks were everyone is from of course the responses will be from all over. People from across the country or even in other counties. You can be playing against and talking from somebody from Europe sitting in your living room. Its a very neat thing.
Tony Vitto
There is no doubt that with k-12, concern about appropriateness and security wins the day. Because no matter what, we as teachers are held responsible for whatever our students do. Nevertheless, as teachers, we must also give our students tools to be successful and technology is part of success; in this day and age. That is why I think that k-12 will increase Internet and Web use but not to the extent as higher and adult ed.
You make a very legit point with the issues about technology uses in the K-12 schools. And as Sheena wrote, the teacher is always held responsible if things go far south. I think however that there are programs/uses that we can take advantage of, such as building class wikis or blogging. If you can convince the school board of strong educational benefits of web-based programs that are there for learning, not just to make things easier, then they should work with you to establish rules and guidlines for use of them. Appropriatness is an hurdle to overcome, but I don't think that it is a hurdle that we should stop at.
Do you feel that the internet will change the way students go to school? I often think of this as schools already have distance education classes. What is stopping K12 to becoming distance education, at least as an option. Just like I attend WMU from the comfort of my living room, I see it as a big possibility that students will be able to select some classes that are online. This could definately be the case if a district cannot afford a teacher or a particular subject. I feel we have only begun to tap into the power and the creativity of the web. It will become very interesting if distance education starts to gain momentum in K12. I don't nessacarilly feel it is appropriate because as a society we use schools to help socially shape our kids, at the same time as a parent I want the best education for my children. If I can have a student learn from a better teacher, even by communicating online, is that a bad thing?
You are absolutely right! The internet has allowed people to live their dream while working from home. It has allowed people to do jobs that they really enjoy and make good money. Many people use the internet as means to make money or as a tool to help them in the job they have. It has made a huge impact on business.
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