The online communications are great for the purpose of collaboration with pears around the world and present wonderful opportunities to connect people across the town, state, country and world. But, there are some theories about how these communication tools can sometimes create isolation(s) and disconnection(s). The relationships between students and teachers, just as family relationships, should never be damaged with these kinds of communication tools. In contrary, it should strengthen it by providing an additional way of communication.
Imagine a Thanksgiving dinner where no one talks because everyone is chatting online or texting on the phone. Not a nice picture, is it? Now, imagine a
With that in mind, we need to establish a meaningful and purposeful online communication in education also.
52 comments:
There are many different ways of connecting with others through technology. After reading Chapter 7 in the textbook I have learned some of the ways. We can stay connected with family and friends through email and Instant Messaging. We, as teachers or other professionals, can connect with others through online Discussion Boards. Discussion Boards are helpful in the way they connect professionals from all over and give them a place to ask for help or express opinions and ask for feed back. Students can stay connected with other students in online communications. Users can express ideas, concerns, or just strike up a conversation with interactive chats and messaging. Teachers and students can participate through a connection called a Videoconference which is where the teacher and students are locaated in different cities or even states. Videoconferencing in education is where the students see the teacher over a tv or videoscreen and viseversa. It is like they are actually in the class together just the teacher is teaching the lessons from somewhere else. Students can log on to some educational websites and even take a virtual Field Trip these days. They can interact with people at the site of their field trip just as if they were there. I think that technology is one of the most updated teaching methods that can be used today. Students seem to pay attention better and enjoy interacting with others. It is helpful in their studues as well as their social life and can help to keep them focused. Although the technologies I mentioned are available, they are not there to take the place of the teacher. Some people can see online resources and other forms of online communication as negative and a way of disconnection with face-to-face communication, but students learn in different ways and I think if one of these way work for them then let them do it.
Unfortunately, I have been in households where all of the children were “connected” and not tuned in to anything that the parents were saying. I have also been in restaurants attempting to enjoy a pleasant meal when someone’s cell phone from the next table goes off and all you can hear if their entire conversation whether you want to hear it or not. All I know all of us have been driving down the highway and come up behind someone who is talking on the cell phone, eating a hamburger and probably has the music tuned up a little to loud.
Living in the 21st. century with all the up and coming technology is great don’t misunderstand me. But sometimes it’s nice to just sit on the back patio on a cool evening with your teenagers and your spouse and just enjoy visiting with each other, without all the gadgets, and really connect.
I think that most aspects of communicating via technology is a great achievement. Being able to videoconference with another person half way across the world is sensational. Not only is it good for families but it can be put into good use in classrooms. I’ve actually been part of a videoconference. It was really cool; it was for my high school Spanish class. Being able to discuss the Spanish culture with students across Texas was an eye opener. Another great thing about communicating using technology is that I can still check up on my friends on facebook. Being able to post a message on someone’s wall I haven’t talked to face to face in five years means no one is ever forgotten. Being able to text my friends or family a quick message when it’s forbidden instead of calling makes life easier.
On the other hand communicating through technology can be very annoying. I feel like young adults and children that are entirely too young to have cell phones are always talking or texting. Why a third grader needs a phone I have no idea. Why most of use can’t get it through our heads that talking on the phone while driving is dangerous but even more dangerous is driving a texting! Using chats and sites like myspace and facebook are dangerous too. Using these technologies give you a fake confidence. You can make up a total different personality on any of these. You can actually pose as someone else. I’ve noticed it more in the younger generations that little girls become so much meaner and aggressive when using these site. To the point that if you are bullied at school well be ready because when u get home an log on you will be bullied on the internet too. Another example of how communicating by using technology can be a negative experience—does anyone remember the girl that committed suicide because another girls mom pretended to be a boy that the 1st girl had a crush on.
Communicating using technology can be fantastic but if it’s not monitored it can be very negative. Maybe every once in a while we should write letters to one another. Or simply meet up with someone and visit with them face to face.
Communication, as our text has stated, can be a wonderful and useful asset. For example, I recently joined Facebook and was instantly connected with highschool classmates and friends that I have not seen or spoken with in 20 years. It has provided a source for social conversation as well as networking. There is also the obvious benefit of online education. Having four children taking online courses allows me to still be available for them. As the text stated it also allows for those that might not be as inclined to participate in classroom discussions to have more time to contemplate their discussions. However, there is a negative side to online communications. There are no voice tones or facial expressions which can determing the context in which a conversation is taking place. There is also the problem of possible handicapping future generations to face to face social networking. Will they be able to think on their feet or face difficult confrontations in person? What kind of people are we allowing are kids to network with? I do feel that the negative side to communicating with technology can be minimized by the proper guidence of parents and teachers. With parent support and by allowing classroom teachers to give students more access to, closely monitored, computer communication time, our students will be able to use technology to communicate in healthy manner.
I agree with Amy some times we need to lock up the phone and computers and turn off the TV. Sadly the people we love will pass so we should give them actual face to face converations. My family does this very thing at dinner. We sit at the table with no phones or any other technology. occationally the T.V. might be on but it never distracts us from one another. oh! and my favorite part about dinner is afterward we just talk.
Amy, I definately feel where you are coming from when you mentioned the pleasant, quiet meal interrupted by a cell phone. I also agree that some of the gadgets made today are a little "out there" or unecessary. Although that may be true, these are the things that we can probably live without but never will. I too miss the good old fashioned family talks that are face-to-face. I think those times keep us connected as well as does the internet and cell phone. There are definately pro's and con's for the technology we use today to connect.
To me technology or the use of it can be both good and bad. It is like many other things in life you can abuse it or over indulge in it. But if used correctly and for the right reason it can enrich our lives. Chapter 7 discusses how students are consumed by technology spending hours a day engrossed in not only one type but multiple “tools” at a time. I understand that as teachers we must adjust to this and teach accordingly but as teachers and parents we must teach our children to monitor themselves.
Technology does help improve our knowledge and gives us the ability to expand it. Discussion boards make it easy to extend and support a variety of curriculum but leaves out the personal reactions that can occur thorough give and take and face to face conversations. Real time communications, which I prefer, can be helpful because you can carry on a conversation in real time. However this leaves out face to face communication unlike internet video conferencing which allows you to engage with others as if they were in the room when they are actually miles away.
In conclusion I believe technology to be an asset to education because it allows us to communicate in various ways with anyone we choose and at the time we choose. However like so many other things we must use it in moderation. We must remember to use a great variety of tools and not focus on only one curtain type which would limit the positive effect it would have on supporting the vast amount of learning styles our students have.
Work Cited
Jonsssen, D (2008). Meaningful Learning With Technology. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Rearson.
I agree with your statement about they are not ment to take away from the teacher. I believe that only under unique circumstances should teachers solely be used through internet access. I took a French course through video confernece when I was in high school and it was the class I learned the least in. So, especially for younger education I believe IVC should only be used in a few instances. But exposing our younger students to how this works will help them to use it more effectively in the future. I believe this is what our responsiblity as ECE-4th teacher is about. We help set the gound work for what will come in our students edcucational future.
Sorry that last post from me was in response to Kesha Jenkins.
Amy Peters I could not agree with you more. I have only had a taste of how my children are going to be as teens with this amount of technology at their finger tips. My oldest is only 9 but I am afraid of what is to come. I know she will be exposed to so much more than me just because of the increase of technology.
A Friday night a few weeks ago our family went to spend sometime together as a family at the skating rink. I was in shock to see these predriving age children skating around the sakting rink TEXTING. They couldn't even put their phones down long enough to enjoy the expierence of skating and listening to the music. I would have landed straight on my face if I had been trying to do that!
Macy internet bulling is someting I have only heard a little about but it scares me. I am so worried about how all of this will affect my children in a few years. I do not have anything to do with facebook or myspace but I am amazed that there is teens and preteens on these sites. I think of them as for young adults, single and just wanting to keep in touch with one another. I know my niece who is 28 and single goes on there trying to meet people and for something to do. I cann't see how something she would be using for a dating tool would be approprate for young children. I am so freighten about all the evil things that can come right into your home throught your computer. My children very seldom get on the computer and when they do it sits at our kitchen table for all to see. I know when I have used search engines in the past things I never would want myself to see little on my children have popped up to my horror.
Communicating with technology is wonderful for the most part! Just look at this blog that students are communicating on. I love reading the posts and seeing how different our perspectives are. I also love the fact that we can take this class online and Mrs. Aliefendic can use technology to communicate her lectures, assignments and grades and we don't have to drive to Commerce and sit in class at a specific time! I can go to class in my pajamas! Another example of meaningful online communication is the virtual office, where we can ask for help from our fellow students or the teacher. I feel that this type of setup would be useful for high school students with the teacher as the moderator.
On a more personal level I have had both positive and negative experiences with communicating online. I met my husband on Match.com in January '03 and we are a success story. I know people that have had awful experiences with online dating. Also, my son has moved to Taiwan to teach English and I talk to him nearly everyday on MSN messenger. I miss him terribly but at least I can talk to him and know he is doing fine (empty nest is still bothering me!)
On the negative side, I think kids spend way too much time texting and spending time on myspace or facebook. I know that my niece and nephews lie about their age because you can't even sign up for it until you are sixteen and they are ages 11 - 14! They become addicted to online communications and it definitely hinders development of social skills and also proper grammar and spelling. As teachers we are going to have to stay current on the lingo because like it or not it is her to stay. We have a ton of acronyms to learn in Special Education and even more in chat abbreviations. Just check out this website and see what you know! http://www.missingkids.com/adcouncil/pdf/lingo/onlinelingo.pdf
If teachers can find a balance and in moderation, the good things about online communication will far outweigh the bad! I love the quote at the end of chapter 7;
The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read or write, but those who cannot lear, unlearn and relearn. Alvin Toffler
So true!
Works Cited
Jonassen, D., Howland, J., Marra, R. M., & Crismond, D. (2008). MEANINGFUL LEARNING WITH TECHNOLOGY (3rd Edition ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ, USA: Pearson Education Inc. .
Online Chat Lingo. (n.d.). Retrieved July 27, 2009, from National Center for Missing and Exploited Children: http://www.missingkids.com/adcouncil/pdf/lingo/onlinelingo.pdf
Joetta, I think that you might just be one of the best parents I've talked to about this. Parents have gotten so conferable that kids have computers in their rooms!! That is a lot of pressure a child would have to be good. And accidents do happen even when your trying to prevent it. I'm so happy that you monitor you children by have the computer in the kitchen. As far as facebook, their is lots of twelve year olds on that site. My fiance constantly has children friend requesting him. He can't have them as friends because he a coach and its inappropriate no matter what. Yet, teachers still get in trouble.
I agree with so many others that believe that there are so many means of communication, especially through technology. Communication through technology in the school setting can be so beneficial in so many ways. The article that I have found for my Journal #2 for the week is a great example of one way to use communication in the school system. Morley discusses an online tool called WebCT. This is kind of like the blogging sites that we use, but specifically designed for schools. Teachers can post assignments so students know exactly what is covered, due, and when. Students can log on and have discussions with other students and teachers. Not only is it used within a particular school district, it can be used throughout the country. Teachers can communicate with other teachers in other districts and even states. They can share ideas about lesson plans and other useful material.
This example that I have given can be a useful way of communication, as long as teachers do not use it instead of communicating face to face. I feel like this technology is a safe one to use, as well as many others, as long as it does not become abused.
Reference
Morley, Laurie. (1999). Expanding Preservice Teachers' Tools for Effective Teaching. ERIC (First Search) ED432548. http://www.eric.ed.gov/contentdelivery/servlet/ERICServlet?accno=ED432548. Retrieved on July 26, 2009.
As the book states "today's students are, as a group are not only technologically sophisticated but also fundamentally different than previous generations in their approach to, use of, and relationship with media." After reading this chapter and the past chapters, reflecting on my own life and judgment about the future of technology. I occasionally think that I am guilty of abusing the internet or phone and being rude to my family. I grew up in a household with no computer. Hard to imagine! I am only 28, not to sound old, but when I was a kid it was all about using your imagination, friends and pets to entertain yourself. Now I really feel like kids rely way too much on technology to come up with the answers. I suppose parents are guilty of using state of the art technology to baby sit/entertain their kids. I think some where in the mix of things families have forgotten how to spend quality time together. I am not saying that technology is bad; I just think sometimes it makes us ungrounded as people. I really like how this book explains things. It gives the positive side of technology but also lets us now correct usage of things. On line communication is often, asynchronous. Would you say something different if you where eye to eye with that person you are emailing? At times I think we get caught up especially, on the web and forget our manners.
On the other hand I do feel the internet and other sources of technology are a wonderful tool for communication. You can have a conference with a client half way around the world with out even booking a hotel room. Listen to your client’s response and have time to come up with an appropriate reply. You can email a friend in another state with out paying the postage of a stamp. Instant message your neighbor. Take an online class without getting out of your pajamas and as the discussion says have Thanksgiving with your family in another county. As educators we have to be well-informed about the latest technology. We are reasonable for teaching the future what, when, and how to use technology. A teacher must know how to incorporate technology in to our daily curriculum. The book says “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who can’t read and write, but those who can’t learn, unlearn, and relearn.” What great food for thought!
Living in a house with teenagers, I am well aware of the various ways in which this generation of young people communicates. Instant messaging, email, cell phones, blogging, text messaging, MySpace, FaceBook as well as other social networking sites have dramatically changed how this generation talks with friends as well as how it has changed the nature those relationships.
My son and I were just discussing this same subject last week in regard to his cell phone and text messaging usage. He (as well as most young people in this generation) has his cell phone permanently attached to his hand…it has literally become another body part! If he were actually using his phone to have a “voice-to-voice” conversation, I would be thrilled, but he would rather text message someone than actually talk to someone! I am convinced that cell phones as well as other means of technology based communication could be downfall of this generation’s ability to acquire good old fashion social skills. Don’t get me wrong, I think technology definitely plays a vital role in our society and I could not imagine life without my computer or cell phone. I think the key term to remember is moderation.
After reading Chapter 7 in our textbook, I agree that communicating with technologies in the classroom is a vital component in the education of our children. Take computer conferencing for example. Computer conferencing can support discussions, debates, and collaborative efforts among groups of people who are at a distance. Students do not have to be in the same place to converse and learn (Jonassen 2008). Imagine being able to talk and learn for other students, in other cultures, in other parts of not only the Unites States but other countries as well.
I think one of the most diverse ways to communicate using technologies would have to be the Webcam. Here the “face-to-face” is married to the technology aspect. It is a win-win situation. You actually have the ability to see who you are talking to and respond back to them in real-time (synchronous). Here is a wonderful example: My friend has a son (her only child) that was deployed to Qatar back in March. This was a very emotionally transition for both her and her son. He was literally on the other side of the world and would not be able to come home for over a year. Through the use of communication technology, specifically the Webcam, they are both able to see each other on a weekly bases which is of great comfort to both involved. The webcam has been an emotional lifesaver for my friend. She has the ability to not only hear but the ability to see that her only child is alive and well on the other side of the world. It(Webcam) has given her as well as many other military family members to remain close to their loved ones who are so proudly fighting for our freedoms.
Work Cited:
Jonassen,D.(2008). Meaningful Learning with technology. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Rearson.
Donna I too loved the quote at the end of the chapter and was going to cite it as well. It is very profound in thought.
"The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read or write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn. Alvin Toffler"
I also agree with the fact that kids spend way to much time not only on MySpace and Facebook, but they also spend a considerable amount of time downloading music, ITunes, internet, computer games, video games and such. I know that I am guilty of not monitoring the amount of TIME my son spends on the computer, but at times I am just as guilty of it myself. I am not the social networking type by any means and most of my time on the computer is for school work, research, studying, on-line classes and occasionally checking my e-mail. I think that some aspects of technology have literally become an addiction. Like the junkie that has to have their drug, technology in some ways has become the "drug of choice" for people in our society. They literally can not live without it. They are addicted to technology!
Amy you are so right about saying that children do not pay any attention to anything else when they are computers or those PSP GAMES! Technology is great but sometimes it needs to be put to the side to spend more time with your family. I have two nephews that love being on the computer playing those online games and they won't go anywhere without their PSP'S. Sometimes we have to force them or just prohibit them from playing the games and spend a little time talking with thier family. Technology is cutting out alot of family times these days!
This day and time there are several different ways to stay connected through technology. We have come a long way over the past years. Students are now able to have the option to take online classes like this on and stay connected with their teacher via e-mail. Also the blog that is something I just learned about this semester. But it is a great way to stay connected through the posting of your comments online. Myspace and facebook it another great way to stay connected. You can find people that you have not talked to in years and if we did not have this technology it would not be this easy to stay connected with some people. Students seem to like the idea better of being able to chat, and discuss topics online rather than face to face. Communication through technology can be great but it also has negative points also. Most of the time you don't get that face to face contact and that is a negative point. Because sometimes people need to have that face to face communication. Like for me I have taken many online classes and dont get me wrong thay are great! But sometimes I feel the need to talk to my instructor in person to to understand the instructions better. That is just me I just feel a little more confident if I am write there in class getting the directions.
Joetta that is a very good idea having the computer in the kitchen area for parents to monitor. Kids get addicted to computers and don't know when to get off. They also can visit sites that are not appropriate for the to be on. Like I said earlier technology is wonderful but there are times when we just need to disconnect from technology and go back to our traditional values. Like playing outside instead of being on computers and video games or go to your friends house and talk to them face to face. Instead of texting, e-mailing or calling on cell phones! Technology has made our society so lazy! But I don't know where we would be without it!
Communicating through technology has become a common and everyday thing for most people around the world. This opens up new relationships, reconnects old ones, and can be more convient in many cases. Classrooms are changing everyday to meet the never ending demand that comes along with technology. Most teachers have a website where they let the parents know what is going on and what things they will be covering. Some teachers have discussion boards where parents, students, and the teacher can communicate. With the help of technology we can learn in class while sitting at home, riding in the car, or while our children are in bed or gone outside playing. I think that all this is great and it opens new ways of learning, communicating, and exploring a world some may never even dream of. On the other side I think this is great if you have access to computers and technology devices. Believe it or not but not all house holds have computers and access to the internet. I think that sometimes people forget how to do simple things because everything can be done sitting at home. I think it gets over whelming and people do not get the face-to-face interaction that is so deeply needed. In the intro of the chapter when it talks about a teenager's 5 minute window using technology blows me away. I think that it would be annoying and rude if I were trying to have a face to face conversation with that person. I think that people forget how to communicate personally with a person if they aren't using some device to get through. Like all things there are pro anc cons that tag along.
Before taking this course, I really never knew how blogs, wikis, discussion forums, or pod casts worked. Actually, out of the 4, I only even knew what a blog was. The rest of these things are all new to me. They all seem like great ways to make education more accessable. I think I'll even use some of these ideas in my own class room this fall. I think a class blog would be great. I could post study tips, extra help, extra credit, etc. And, if a student has a question, he or she could simply post it to my blog. I think this would help students who may be afraid to ask for help in class. They could do it descretely, under a screen name, on the blog. Another thing I think would be neat to do with my class is a video conference. Before reading about it in chapter 7, I never really thought about using one. I am going to teach Spanish, so it would be a great culture lesson to arrange a video chat with a school in a Spanish-speaking country. I do have one main concern, about all of these technologies, though. Chapter 7 talked a lot about chat rooms and discussion forums. I agree with the text, these are also great educational tools. But, they are strictly forbidden at the school I graduated from (and will be teaching at in the fall). Students can actually get suspended for accessing these sites at school. This leaves those students who do not have Internet access at home left in the dark. This hardly seems fair to me.
I think me and Jaelyn are on the same page. I don't have any kids but I can only image as a parent dealing with teenagers and phones. As Jaelyn said I think this generation has become completely consumed with technology. People react so different when they are face to face then via text message or email. Children still need to learn how to use technology in moderation and how to treat people appropriately. As teachers we will be educating students on how to use technology. Technology can be a wonderful thing to use, but we must all remember to be considerate of others.
As an ag major, I am encouraged to conversate as much as possible. We are constantly making speeches and participating in discussions. I think that communicating through technology is very important, especially when speaking with someone from far off. Email, text and all kinds of other ways can get a point across. I have really grown fond of online discussion boards because they allow several people to participate and express their opinions. The only problem with communicating with technology is that I do not encourage students to use their phones to text their friends while in my class rooms. I also want them to be able to get up in front of everyone and talk up their opinions. Many kids now are terrified to do this but don't mind at all writing an email. Being in the ag field, I think personal contact is very important.
Donna, I find your sites very interesting and I think we really agree on the ups and downs of technical communication. The ages of children online now scares me. My neices and nephews are pulling the same stunts and I know they would have no idea if someone were hacking into their profile to get all their information. I agree, technology is good to have but it should not be depended on. Are we on the same page here? I just want to make sure I am understanding what you wrote.
The one thing that I am reading in this discussion forum is that many of us feel that on-line commun ication is a vital and necessary part of not only our personal life but in our professional life as well. I am also, reading that many of us from regular and special eduction classroom teachers, to Ag, Spanish, and kinesology majors, all feel that online communication can and will be beneficial in all of these diverse classroom settings.
I am in the same line of fie with most of you moms out there. I have a fourteen year old at home that I don't know she remembers how to talk with words and expressionsue to the computer. I allow her 30 a day on th computer and it is in our living room, so I like,Joetta, can monitor. I have sen other girls my daughters age post pictures on the computer that have no business being there. And that scares me. But again, I monitor and even go back and check what sites she has been on. I know that computers re the new way to be able to communicate, especially with those that are far away and we feel more comforted by the knowledge we an instant mesage and e mail, but again, with teenagers we need to be so careful and be the parents. It is a difficult line and responsibility for parent.
You are right Whitley... we should not totally depend on technology. The article I found for critique # 2 states it very well. Assistive technology or I suppose just technology should not be used to the point of being a crutch, especially for students with special needs. In my own personal experience I can fully understand how addictive technology can be! I am a gadget girl... I LOVE gadgets and I have plenty. I just got a text plan in October and I fully dependent on that now!
In my classroom I will try to show some empathy yet still be firm. It will be great to use technology in my lessons and also set up a reward program where they can have free time (with limitations, of course!) on the computer.
Haley, your comment about face-to-face interaction really got me to thinking. You are so right that it is deeply needed! From what I have noticed from my online communications is that people are a lot more brazen and rude when they are not looking you in the eye. I think Macy said something about the teenage girl that committed suicide because of another girl's mother. That was such a sad story but there are other cases out there I am sure, hopefully not as severe as that one!! How can we teach kids cyber manners? I think it is so much easier to say mean things online because you can't see the hurt on someone else's face.
The use of technology in the modern world of communication has greatly enhanced our ability to communicate with other individuals that may be at a great distance from us. Through the advanced technology that has come around recently, our ability to stay in touch with people, whether through IM, text, distant learning, or email has been facilitated. Also the use of technology has enabled us as college students to take an online course and never set a foot inside and actual classroom. Many of the more traditional school teachers or typical educators seem to believe that “we lose important communication cues, such as body language, tone of voice, accents, dialects, pace, pause, and other important cues to meaning” and though their belief may be true to a certain degree, my belief is that we also gain a different perspective from communication via technology (Jonassen, Howland, Marra, & Crismond, 2008) . Although the communication of an actual classroom may be lost through an online course, we as students and future educators also gain a different type of communication through discussion boards, online chats, messaging, videoconferencing, and blogs. From personal experience, through online communications, such as discussion boards, I have enhanced my written communication and been able to convey my thoughts to not only my teacher, but also to fellow students in a class. The best experience that I have encountered with technology and communication is a “hybrid” course that I took at Tyler Junior College. A hybrid course is one that half of the class is given in lecture form and the rest is given via online. The class created an equal mixture of lecture and online communication through discussion boards and blogs. The hybrid course seemed to me, the perfect class because of the convenience of not coming to class each and every day, but also not losing the personal relationship created by face-to-face communication.
As we head into the future, we as future educators must be aware of the presence, importance, and practical uses of technology. The possibility to use technology to enhance learning through communication is definitely a goal and possibility in this “technological era” we live in. We must be aware of the potential downfalls of technology and communication and try to create the optimal learning environment for each and every one of our students.
Works Cited
Jonassen, D., Howland, J., Marra, R. M., & Crismond, D. (2008). Meaningful Learning With Technology (3rd ed.). (D. B. Prybella, Ed.) Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, USA: Pearson Education, Inc.
After reading Amy Peters’ blog, I cannot agree more with her. Technology has taken away a lot of the face-to-face public communications and created an era in which cell phones and texting dominate the scene. I too have experienced the many frustrations that come with immature people and their “too loud” habits with technology. Whatever happened to a quiet evening with very little to distract yourself? Nowadays it is all about the now and how everybody must be up to date with the latest and neatest new gadgets. It is my belief that we should all try to be more considerate of all people when in public and NEVER under any circumstances text while driving—very dangerous and stupid. With the many complaints we all have over technology and the many distractions it creates, we should find the good and try to ignore the bad. Many good has come out of technology, such as communication with people in Iraq and their families. As human beings, we must just learn how to properly and maturely use technology and be aware and considerate of other people around us.
In response to Ashley’s blog, I also believe “communication through technology in the school setting can be so beneficial in so many ways.” The benefits that technology has had in recent years to communication have greatly enhanced our ability to communicate with our peers and also with people around the world. As we look into the future in education, I can only imagine the next step that will be taken with the use of technology and communication. Although technology has had its many benefits, it has also created a world that is now dependent on technology for communication. We as future educators must not lose our personal communication with our students. Essentially, communication is probably the single most important tool a teacher uses in his or her classroom (whether the class is an online or classroom course) each day they teach to their students.
I think that communicating via technology has both good and bad aspects. For example, my husband has to travel and the only way my children and I can see him is via webcam. It’s nice to be able to sit at the computer with my children and let them chat with their dad they just love that they can see him and talk with him when he is not even in town. They also love that they can use my cell phone and send him pictures and text him. I also like the idea of being able to do this class over the internet and being able to chat with class mates. Another example of meaningful communication is the virtual office that we use with this class, how great is it when we need help with a class project that all we have to do is ask our question and we are able to get a response form our fellow students or the teacher. I fell that this type of setup in the high school setting would be a great tool to have as long as the teacher is the moderator. But technology has some bad aspects also. For example, I have a niece that is always on her phone we can’t even eat with her without her being on her cell phone. It has gotten to the point to where her mom and dad have to make her leave it in the car when we go and eat in peace. I think the key term is to remember moderation in not only cell phone but the internet as well.
Amy, I agree with you about how we need to just put everything away and have some family time. My husband and I have two children ages 7 & 8. Every Friday night we have a family night where we just sit around the house order pizza or cook out and play game with the kids. We have the best time. I love on Fridays work when my co-worker are asking each other what they are going to do and they look at me and say let me guess "family night" they already know my answer before they ask...
Communicating with and through technology can have both positive and negative affects. Communicating through technology can be very short and to the point. You most defiantly can't say through an email what you could say in person. Through an email their is no emotion. Of course you can use the occasional :) or whatever you choose, but ultimately you can't express your real feelings or emotions. On a more positive note technology can open a whole new world for people. You can meet people online, communicate with loved ones from a long distance, and even send live video of yourself to someone. This kind of stuff is great! Without technology communication for soldiers in Iraq would be virtually eliminated. There wouldn't be any communication with them except for a letter once in awhile. Technology opens a new world for communication, some good while others not so good. You should always try to take advantage of the things available for us to use, but always be cautious of using technology as a primary way to communicate with people. A email or a phone call can never replace a face to face visit or conversation!
I, too, beleive that technology can be both good and bad. It is absolutely fascinating that we can do business with others all around the world just by logging onto our computers. We can use teleconfrencing and actually see the persons that we are doing business with. I think that many advancements in business have taken place because of the advances in technology. I believe that this is one example of how the internet can be beneficial. As for how the internet and technology can be harmful...there are many things. For example, children are constantly logging onto these social networking sites "pretending" to be older and someone they are not. While these children are surfing the interenet, there are predators out there just awaiting for them to slip up. I think that peoples identity are put at risk and children are definately put at risk as they are not educated enough to know not to put out so much information. Also, people driving while using the cell phone is absurd. I understand that things happen, but to just have a causal conversation while driving shouldnt be allowed. How can you be confident that your full attention is on the road when you have a cell phone glued to your ear?
All in all, I love technology and I love my blackberry. I think that you have to be smart about technology and still focus your attention on what is important to you. I am a firm beleiver in good ole fashioned face to face converstaion and eating dinner together as a family. I think that many families have shyed away from this due to technology and that is a very sad thing.
Ashley,
I have used WebCT in the past while taking courses at CCCCD. It is a very helpful and reliable website that can be used exclusively for online classes!
Chris,
I also beleive that online technology is very beneficial in the classroom. Without it, we all would not be able to do what we are doing now by posting comments to one another! Its amazing that we can all chat with one another without ever laying eyes on each other. Fascinating!
It is true that people are becoming detached from one another because of the use of online communications. Teenagers and College students use instant messengers, social networks, and text messaging to talk to their friends and even have romantic relationships. We should not allow ourselves to become dependent on the Internet.
I think that technology in the classroom is very significant. I think that it will help us as education professionals to continue to update our pedagogical practices. Technology could be the bridge over the barrier for many students with learning disabilities. The more that we incorporate it into our classrooms, I think the more we will understand other ways of helping students with different learning disabilities.
I also think that it will be just as useful in the home as in the classroom. many students are parented by parents who have litte education. The ability to use computers could enhance home learning for them as well as induce the incorporation of those parents. I think that children should be supervised will navigating through this wonderful technology.
Donna the comment that you made about your nieces and how they are lying about their age to get on a social network, scares me. It is, however, the scary truth. As parents it is our responsibility to monitor and police our children. Parents that just assume their kids know what is right without ever coaching them are playing a dangerous game.
From reading everyone's post, it is obvious that the common opinion is the technology can be ultimate of all good/evil parts of our lives. I think that the best thing that we can do for our students is to monitor and coach their every step into learning with technology.
There are several different ways to communicate through technology these days, either through e-mail, instant messaging, or discussion boards. They can all be very beneficial to communicating in education. E-mail is a great way for a teacher to communicate with their students or other teachers. I have found that a class can be much easier when the teacher e-mails their students frequently. I also like discussion boards because they give everybody in the class a chance to voice their opinion. It allows a student that would normally not speak up in class a way to say what he or she thinks. You can also look at what people say more than once instead of just hearing it that one time. Another really cool thing in communicating through technology is videoconferencing. This has several different advantages. I think that it could and should be used for students that might get injured or ill to where they cannot come to actual class, like if they were diagnosed with a disease or something to where they had to be in the hospital a lot they could get something set up to where they wouldn't have to drop out of school. There are many ways to communicate through technology and it has so many advantages. There is no telling what the future holds for online Communications in Education.
Joetta, I totally agree with you! Facebook and Myspace can be fun for teens, but adults constantly take over sites like these. I'm 20 and am probably the only college student who doesn't have a Facebook. It's all about drama and who's dating who. It's not to keep in touch with friends... I know most will disagree with me on this, but I absolutely hate these sites. When the thought of getting a facebook several months ago came to my head I realized my aunt had one?!?! She's 50!!!! Anyways, just my opinion...
Donna, it's not surprising to know your nieces and nephews lie about their age and the scary part is, is that you have to worry about how many other people lied about their age also. You can never know who someone really is through the computer. For all yall know I'm 20 but who's to say I'm not 40. How could any of yall really know. I' am 20 though! LOL Just an example. I think we all should just be aware of the dangers of the Internet and try and educate the younger age groups!
Technology has grown so much; you can communicate through a numerous amount of ways. From my own experience as well as reading our text I know of so many. Just like this class we use blog, wiki and just our regular e-college discussion board. I think that these different kind of online communications are a great way to help the students not only communicate at all time but also help student from different places communicate to. As teachers we have to understand that everyone learns differently and some student’s don’t engage in much with lecture based classes all the time. So having this what I like to say "diverse communication" in our classroom will help to keep our students more interested. The only thing with the different online communication programs is we need to make sure and watch our kids. There have been lots of sick people who disguise themselves as younger people or students that say they are older. So I think going to sites where you can keep an eye on what’s going on is a plus
Donna I actually caught my brother and sister lieing about there age on myspace and my mom was furious. It is not something new because I did that when I was younger just not knowing better and it was actually me who want to change my age after getting messages from unwanted people. Kids do it just to seem cool but we have to let them know of the harm in doing so.
Mallory you are so right kids doing it is one thing but grown men and women is another. you never really know who you are talking to on some site because technology has taking us to a level where we can photoshop pictures so people can lie about not only there age but change what they look like also. We need to monitor and educate these kids now because these things are becoming more and more dangerous.
I personally have benefited greatly from online communications. My husband is currently in Afghanistan and if it were not for things like Skype, Facebook and email we would not be able to talk as often as we do.
I feel that if used appropriately online communication tools can be very engaging for students. In the classroom there needs to be several different ways of communicating with students. As discussed before there are many different learning styles among students. In the same respect studets have different ways of communicating. Some are better at writing out there thoughts and posting them in things like blogs. Others are able to speak in front of the class. As educators we need to allow the students to explore the different options. By providing your class with knowledge about the different online communication tools you are helping them in and out of class.
I think that blogs are a great way of communicating. My sister spent the summer in Spain and she would post a blog daily. It was like her journal but my family and I were able to get on and read her posts and respond to her. It was a fun and easy way of communicating with her without having to call us on the phone.
I agree with what the class has said of discussion boards, instant messaging, facebook, and many of communication technologies. These are a great way to stay in touch with people you know or use to know. Skype is a great way of online communication, it is almost as having a face to face conversation. I feel skype would be great for business meetings, where people would not have to travel to talk business. I think it would even be good for some school because you can hear and see the person talking, and that makes a personal connection, where as other online communications are lacking.
Nikki Phillips is my name, since my account says NLP0504.
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