I can’t think of anything in our everyday world that is growing faster than the Internet. It is pumping out information at lightening speed and is allowing us to communicate in new ways. My 10 year career in teaching has drastically changed due to technology and the use of the Internet. I started out with a few computers in my classroom and now have portable laptops available to me at any time of the day. My lessons have become more engaging, thoughtful, and informative. Because of this growth, it is important for schools to get on board but also have goals and a direction to be taken with the students. I am now the LMC Director, which involves being the librarian and computer teacher. Internet usage has become an integral part of my job.
An area that is growing fast is website evaluation and being able to access reliable information. Today’s students starting in kindergarten are able to use the Internet. This fact makes it so important that children learn to be critical users of the technology, know what to look for, and evaluate fact verses fiction.
Internet communication is a topic that I see students needing guidance. Internet safety, cyber bullying … are key goals for my school. Younger and younger children are on the Internet both at home and at school. Parents need to guide their children, but if we are going to use it as a learning tool in the schools, it is our responsibility to teach them how to properly use it.
The Internet has basically displaced reference books in the library. It gives us quick, current information and can be one of the better tools used for research. I even had a representative from Follett Library Resources tell me not to order any reference books because they are costly and are out of date so quickly.
Working in the LMC with students from kindergarten to 5th grade allows me the opportunity to develop research projects that are interesting, exciting, and creative to present. The Internet is an essential tool in our classes when used in a responsible way. Schools need to attempt to stay as current as possible and instruct students how to gain this incredible amount of knowledge with the push of a few buttons.
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Hi Ellen,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great blog. The part about Follett's suggestion to not order reference materials was very interesting to me. I was just having a similar discussion with someone about that same idea this past week.
I just figured out that I know who you are. :) I was an aide in Susan Spiegel's room in 2001-2002. I heard through the grapevine that you had the opportunity to become the Library/Media Specialist. I would love to chat with you about how you like it. I currently am teaching 5th grade at Eisenhower Elementary School and am hoping that someday I to can become the library/media specialist in our building.
I too found the Follett suggestion surprising. I understand it, but I'm not sure how I feel about it. I'm glad you brought up the points you did. It's very important to teach Internet safety. I'm looking forward to teaching it myself!
ReplyDeleteHi Ellen~
ReplyDeleteThis is so true! I agree with you on each point. I too am in the library media program, (alas, I am not yet working as an LMS) but I have heard the same comment from the Follett representatives. This is very scary to me, primarily because I love the feeling of having a book in my hand.
The clock keeps moving at an ever faster pace...
Kathryn