The Tentacles of Technology

     “The most profound influence on life in the 21st century may turn out to be the internet” (Leu, D.J., O’Byrne, W. G., Zawilinksi, L., McVerry, J.G. Everett-Cacopardo, H., 2009).  There is no doubt that the World Wide Web has its tentacles attached to all aspects of society. 

This YouTube video demonstrates the powerful influence that digital media has spawned in our society. “At the current pace more the half the world’s population will be on line in 7 years and most of the world will be on line in 10 to 15 years” (Leu, D. J., et al, 2009) This “tectonic shift” permits anyone to write, read, share, and connect on line (Richardson, 2010). Since publishing any type of media is possible today, people are well informed and exposed to global happenings. 
           

The technological advancements have been slow to impact the schools because of the financial demands that it will place on the school systems.  The economy is recovering at a snail’s pace; budgets are being trimmed to the bare basics.  As a result, students and teachers are being deprived of the educational benefits inherent in technology. If teachers are not offered professional development in using the web to create blogs and web pages, etc., then students cannot apply their learning from an educational/technological standpoint. 21st century literacies


Social media impacts the way people learn. The role of educators must involve not only instructing students how to navigate the web, but to make judgments on who to trust and what to believe when they read material on the Internet. Students must be protected and teachers should control their audience when they publish. Student's identification must be safeguarded, so predators do not gain access to student's personal information.   http://mrcsclassblog.blogspot.com/



Teachers could utilize various toolboxes as technical tools for students. Blogs, Wikis and Really Simple Syndication (RSS) are ways to teach students to communicate, reflect and analyze information. Students can explore, research, and collaborate with other students and experts when studying various content areas.  This avenue will lead students to broaden their horizons and expand their knowledge base. In order for students to be prepared for the global job market, it is essential that teachers are tech experts. http://lewiselementary.org/

Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.        
T.S. Eliot

                                                 References

 

Leu, D.J., O'Byrne, W.I., Zawilinski, L.J., McVerry, J.G., Everett-Cacopardo, H. (2009).

     Expanding the new literacies conversation. Educational Researcher, 38(4) 264-269.

Richardson, W,. (2010). Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms.

     Thousand Oaks, CA:Corwin