Day 2 Readings – The Internet and Email

The Hobbes’ Internet Timeline was an interesting walk through Internet history. What is interesting to note is that as Internet use became less centrally controlled and more commercially controlled, advancements became more rapid. The free market system started to energize growth. Unfortunately, such rapid growth of information exchange caused a rebound effect in that some governments started to put restrictions on the Internet. I have seen a similar effect on student use of the Internet. As children become more proficient with the Internet and increase their usage, the knee-jerk reaction of some parents and educators is to restrict access. A better alternative would be to guide these users and teach them how to safely utilize this tool.




An Internet Primer for Teachers and The World at Your Fingertips were both valuable resources for teachers who are beginners to technology integration. The primer provided a bare bones outline to how search the Internet. I think it would also be useful for a teacher to actually participate in one of the Headbone Derbies offered for student use. Hands-on learning is just as valuable for the teacher as for the students. The teacher would then have a substantive instead of a theoretical understanding on how to conduct an Internet search. The second reading was informative in that it provided specific benefits of Internet use in the classroom. Richer learning, better time management, and increased opportunities for professional development are practical reasons for a teacher to integrate technological tools into the classroom. As teachers, we are always looking for ways to deepen student understanding of content. And what teacher wouldn’t give his/her eyeteeth for more time to get that material covered? I especially appreciate the use of the technology to increase teacher learning. As the only adult in the room, sometimes teachers feel very isolated. Technology, especially email and websites, has provided me with the chance to share ideas, solve problems, and expand my lessons.


Technology Integration as a Transforming Teaching Strategy points out one of the biggest obstacles in technology integration in the classroom – teachers’ limited knowledge on how to incorporate technology into existing curriculum. While principals are relying on younger, tech-savvy, new teachers to bring technology into the classroom, they fail to recognize that although these teachers may know how to use the technology, they don’t always know how to teach with it. Universities do not include these lessons in the teacher preparatory classes. Existing teachers often receive one-day trainings in a technology tool and are then left to their own devices in figuring out how to practically integrate that tool into their instruction.
Truly successful technology integration seems to have constructivism at its core. One suggested model has three elements: (1) use of software to create, manipulate, and enhance student learning, (2) use of problem-based assignments, and (3) constructive learning environments. Lessons where students use technology as a tool to explore and solve real-world situations allow them to build their own knowledge.
Teachers must be given many opportunities to see how to change the way they teach a topic. Interactions with other teachers who successfully integrate technology, classes where the teacher as student utilizes the technology, and a willingness to allow students to guide their own creation of knowledge are a few steps in the right direction.