In this article, Don W. Brown, EdD feels that immersing students in an Web 2.0 is more valuable that the face-to-face interactions that they get from their everyday classrooms. By engaging in social media tools, students would be able to have richer discussions about their lesson topics, learn to stop judging another person or culture until they have had a chance to gain a deeper understanding of their background, and would have access to more information than one teacher could give them.
Ralph Maltese does not agree that children should be allowed to opt out of the traditional classroom setting merely because want to. One point he makes is that education does not only serve to inform, but also pass on skills. Maltese speculates that if the future lacks face-to-face interaction, then online education would be the way to go; we’re just not there yet. There are no many nuances that occur in a face-to-face conversation that online interactions lack. Text can also mislead the reader with regards to tone and humor, which are quite easy to get across orally. However, Maltese does understand that online education is a great option for those whom need it, including those students that have a difficult time in traditional schools.
I would have to say that I agree with Maltese on this topic; my main focus when teaching is not actually to teach information, but to help my students grow. In fact, everything he said I found myself completely agreeing with. I do believe that the internet is a wonderful place, but those whom are unfamiliar with it can be targeted by “trolls” and cyber-bullies, which can demolish a student’s self esteem. As a teacher, I feel my most important job is to foster a strong foundation, and my student’s self esteem is key for that to be able to happen.
While this article does not discuss it directly, it does deal with NETS 5, which covers digital citizenship. For students to adequately be able to engage in an online class, they would need to first “practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology” while also exhibiting a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and productivity.” Without these important lessons under their belts, kids would not be able to safely explore the internet or become involved in an online class.
For the original article, please click here!
Brown, D. & Maltese, R. (2011, Dec/Jan). Point/counterpoint: Should we let students opt out of face-to-face education?Learning and Leading, 39(4), 6-7. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/issues/Point_Counterpoint_Should_We_Let_Students_Opt_Out_of_Face-to-Face_Education.aspx
Brown, D. & Maltese, R. (2011, Dec/Jan). Point/counterpoint: Should we let students opt out of face-to-face education?Learning and Leading, 39(4), 6-7. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/issues/Point_Counterpoint_Should_We_Let_Students_Opt_Out_of_Face-to-Face_Education.aspx
I completely agree, while the Internet and various online classroom activities are a great way to enhance student learning, I do not believe it should be the primary setting we put students in to learn. Beyond the obvious face to face interaction that is lacking in an online classroom, it also further enhances the ability of this generation to communicate without talking or meeting face to face. The younger generation of our current society is so dependent on technology to communicate that many people lack social skills when they are put in a social setting and forced to interact face to face with people they don't know. I feel as though a predominantly online classroom is almost used as a crutch for some students as they do not need to interact face to face with people they do not connect with, and that is not the way our world works. Forcing student to collaborate in person is much more beneficial than online collaboration. However, online class forums and blogs are a great way to enhance what is learned in class.
ReplyDelete