Blog Post #6

The Networked Student
The networked student doesn't exactly need a teacher when he begins to get the hang of things, but definitely needs one to teach him how to respectfully speak to people online. He needs to know how to speak with experts and not look like a completely "uneducated" person.

She will teach him how to take advantage of learning opportunities online and teach him how to build his network. She will offer guidance when he gets "stuck" and teach him how to recognize good information from propaganda. She will show how to turn a web search into a scavenger hunt.

Teachers today should let their students do more of this research and begin to get them more familiar with how using the Internet for resources can be a good thing. They need to know how to tell the difference between good and bad information. The old saying, "the earlier, the better" comes into play here. The earlier a child begins to learn to use the computer, the better off they will be. They will know what is right and what is wrong when they begin to research facts for papers, etc.
If you would like to view this video, just click on the link below!


The Networked Student

A 7th Grader's Personal Learning Environment
This seventh grader has an amazing appreciation for online resources. She is the kind of student I can only hope to have in my classroom when I begin teaching. She went step by step with all of her assignments and completed them all to her satisfaction. She has all of her priorities in line when it comes to her PLE. She is a role model for my PLN. I feel the same as her when it comes to having so much freedom, that you feel the obligation to complete assignments. I personally love that freedom. I hope to one day be able to give that freedom to students in my classroom. If you would like to view her video, just click on the link below!


A 7th Grader's Personal Learning Environment

The Machine is Changing Us
I think what he says is very true. You have to be on television to be significant, you have to have a "voice". Fifteen years ago, the next generation was labeled materialistic, short attention span, narcissistic, and not easily impressed. Very similar to what we say about today's generation when we are having an off day, right? He says, society does not give recognition, you have to create your own. This leads to disengagement and fragmentation.
On Youtube, we communicate through all types of different mediums that shape the message, conversations, and all kinds of possibilities. Youtube shows who people really are. It is easier for a person to talk to a camera than actually speaking to a person face to face.
Youtube shows the good, bad, and ugly. It can leave a huge impression, whether it be good or bad. The "Free Hugs" video shows people coming together. This becomes such a powerful message. More videos (over 20 thousand)from all over the world were made because of this one video. In probably the most private space you could possibly be at, becomes the most public once on Youtube. People can make a difference with web cams. It just goes to show, that we can all be connected. Youtube sends out the message of unity and connection.


The Machine is Changing Us