Technology in Schools

Reading the section in the textbook about technology and learning through the internet was interesting for me. I think back to My elementary school years and how much I enjoyed technology class. I also am most likely one of the last generations to remember dial-up and being limited on how long I could be on the internet since it took out our landline to be on the internet. As the internet improved, so did social media outlets. I remember being huge into AIM in junior high. Since I didn't have a cell phone until 8th grade, that was my mass way of communication with friends. Once I got a cell-phone, social media outlets opened like crazy. I didn't have nearly as many resources as kids do now in school. I was never given a school computer, nor did I have to complete online assignments that were due if I missed school. I think it's wonderful that schools are now taking the steps to connect with the internet to make up with missed school work, or to help students work ahead. A downfall is the dangers of technology. I know schools are making every step possible to ensure students have 1) the safety they can while in the school building and 2) to teach them the importance of safety at home. I think schools do a good job at making sure students understand how important it is to stay safe online, but I know there are constantly ways to improve upon it. I also found the article interesting that it talked about how students understood technology has been taking away from their chores. While technology can be a great tool for homework, it also is a huge time suck. If parents use technology to get their kids to do chores then it can be a reward, otherwise kids will want to constantly be tuned into their own world. I also wonder if students were more in tune with the world around them, if the cyberbullying would be less.