Tuesday Septermber 14th Homework

From the article, Connecting the digital dots, I have decided that in my classroom I will provide opportunities for students to develop their digital literacy skills by challenging them to access the internet on safe assigned sites that will enable them to learn more about the topic that is being discussed in class. They will also be challenged to type up their big end of the unit assignments on their own in Microsoft word that includes clipart. I would like my students to be presented with many opportunities to learn something new about the computer and how it can help them accomplish many things in relation to education.

Social Networking Project:
From the Myspace article I learned how social networking operates, that is essentially is a domino effect as people add friends into their friend space. I think that the way that myspace works is quite common sense, it is the way we make most personal conections in the real world, however being online can open up the social networks to places that were unaccessible to people typically. This article makes me wonder how this type of social networking will impact our children and their ability to make and facilitate friendships with people in the real world.
Social networking is dangerous for children. Like many sites on the internet, it is hard to identify who the user is communicating with and what their intentions are. How will myspace propose to stop the illegal and improper conduct that occurs on the site? Myspace is the host of many different pages including one for music and for public opinion and education. These pages are one of the benefits that a social networking site has to offer users.
Teacher's use of Social networking sites:
From the articles I read it seems like educators can use myspace and facebook as a positive tool to stay in contact with past students, and to model appropriate behavior. When using myspace and facebook in those positive ways, i think as teachers we can use them to be change agents.
The use of social networking sites by teachers in the classroom is a tricky situation and should be approached cautiously. Teachers need to make decisions that will benefit children by teaching them how to behave appropriately and to also not act inappropriately. What happens if one teacher uses myspace or facebook for the wrong reasons, how would that look on us as professionals?
Teachers are using social networking in the classroom in many positive ways. They are using it to show students how to social network with others, stay connected, and how to behave appropriately in cyberspace.
However, teachers need to keep in mind the responsibility aspect of the social networking site and how dangerous it can be. Social networking on the internet is a public matter, it is important to be mindful of what image is being portrayed by that individual and the actions taken on the internet.