GEM 2 From Fear to Facebook

Chapter 2 Schools and Facebook: Moving Too Fast, or Not Fast Enough?

            I really like the idea of “sharing the reins” with the kids.  I know this is something that even some teachers at progressive schools do not really jump up on board with, but I have always been a fan of letting the kids have some control in the classroom.  Now this can vary greatly within age groups.  I’ve kind of gone with the saying that if you treat kids like kids, then that’s how they will act, but if you give them a little responsibility then they will rise up to the challenge and begin to act more responsible.  Plus, I also think that if kids have a little say in what they do for projects then they will get a little more excited about it and hopefully produce some quality work.

            There can be a real problem when it comes to communication.  There is the possibility of a large language barrier between technology natives and technology immigrants.  Granted some technology immigrants have educated themselves very well and can speak the language as good as any technology native, but that is not always the case.  Some of these baby boomers that are in the classrooms are going to have to take the initiative to learn about technology and the lingo that goes with it.

            I also liked the idea of “mirroring the online lives of the students.”   Using what they kids already know and use all the time can help create more interest in the lesson and therefore would hopefully result in the students getting less distracted with other apps on the computers. This could also create a 24/7 learning environment if the kids are so intrigued with the project or lesson they might spend some time outside of the classroom with it.  For example, if Facebook is incorporated into a lesson then the students might be inclined to continue looking at and thinking about the lesson at home since Facebook is already probably a part of their home life.