Learning the history of the internet was very enlightening. There has always been this question in the back of my mind about who really controls the web? I pictured a man in his parent's basement with a couple of computer around him. It had never occurred to me that the wonderful benefits I enjoy could have initially been a driving force for large agencies behind the web's creation. I just thought it was neat.
Online word processing is where it is! I'm not quit sure how to use it with my first graders, without prior knowledge. Maybe, near the end of the school year, I will have have had enough time to prepare them. I am very interested in doing a staff in-service at my school on the use of one or two online alternatives to MS Word. Many staff members are still uncomfortable with email, but word processing is used by all. This could serve to be a more attainable technology bridge than email.
My only concern with free online resources is wondering how long they will be available? Will all of this become obsolete? What will we use then? Will we know what alternatives to turn to? Okay, I realize I am being a little dramatic. The most valuable experience I am gaining from this program is becoming more comfortable with the many tools of technology to be able to continue to research and keep up with the inevitable changes that will come after I have earned my degree.
I am with you regarding the change in my technology comfort level. I may never use half of what we are learning about in these classes but I am now aware that options exist. I am also looking forward to the inevitable changes after graduation that you mentioned. I can't wait to see how I am going to make this education work for me. I was also jazzed about the histories we investigated two weeks ago. All that geeky stuff is really quite interesting. I don't think your questions were dramatic - they are right on the money. As a mom and a teacher, I have to plan ahead. I want to know I can count on things in the future. Everything changes so fast in technology that we have no guarantees that the free, online sites we use now will still be there a month, a year, ten years from now.
ReplyDeleteErin, I hadn't thought of your comments in the paragraph...who is to say these products will always be free? It may be a little drastic to think about that now, but it's good to keep it in the back of our minds.
ReplyDelete