What are your concerns about using various internet technologies in your teaching practice?
My only concern when dealing with internet technologies is my students being off topic or trying to listen or download music. I don’t have any of the traditional concerns (e.g. students looking at inappropriate/pornographic material or engaging in inappropriate conversations with strangers) when it comes to implementing internet technologies in the classroom because our school does a wonderful job at blocking out all of these things. They do such a good job that some would say that it is overkill.
The only issue I have ever had in my class was students being off topic, like when they would rather play solitaire or pinball rather than complete their work. Listening to music while on the computers was another big issue, and I still don’t know how I feel about this. Some students could handle it, but most could not. On the one hand, I realize that the 21st century learner can multitask and is used to listening to music while engaged in other activities. On the other hand, I just find it hard to believe that students can be authentically engaged with higher level, “deep” reading while they are listening to Gucci Mane or Lil’ Wayne. I also find it disconcerting when I overhear some of the lyrics that are constantly being pumped into their brains. Any thoughts or wisdom?
How can you alleviate these concerns?
The best way to alleviate these concerns is to have a well-prepared lesson that will authentically engage the student. My job is to get students more interested Civil Rights or the Harlem Renaissance than solitaire or pinball. I think webquest.org will be another wonderful tool that I have learned about through my studies at Indiana Wesleyan.
In addition to the well-prepared lesson, I will commit to being vigilant when my students are working online. My persistence for them to stay on topic will pay off. I should be helping students while they are working, not grading papers or checking email.
As far as the music issue goes, I am still not sure where I stand on this issue. I know that when they are at home and on the internet that they are most likely jamming out to the latest and greatest hits. As long as students are learning and engaged, I guess I don’t care what they listen to.
Whenever I take a class to the lab, students always ask me if they can listen to music while they're working. They even have headphones in their pockets so the other other student can't hear what they're listening to. In the past I've let some classes listen while others could not. About two years ago I decided that it's best if the students not listen to music. The reason is that they're distracted by what's playing and are constantly changing the songs. They end up not being very productive. Sometimes if a class does well I let them play or listen to music the last five minutes of class.
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