Module 3 Reflection

This module has helped me think about the impact of the internet on my students’ learning in the following ways:

There are so many different ways to teach and learn. Education as we know it is vastly changing and broadening through technological advances like blogging, social media, use of the Internet, mobile computing, podcast and so much more. All of these technologies can be very beneficial as well have negative connotations. 

Use of the Internet to teach students can impact the learning experience profoundly. 

Here are some negative bullets:

- cripples their ability to conduct meaningful research

- may be exposed to harmful content

- information may be too readily available and as a result the student commit less time to forming his/her own ideas and opinions

Here are some positive bullets:

- allows collegiate students to attend school solely online via the web

- access to a wealth of information, governmental websites and sources, educational institute information databases (ex. libraries), etc.

- ability to interact with teachers and other students virtually (not in real time)

- allows grade school students to take courses not offered at their own school from partnered schools

The pros and cons of how the internet impacts students is rather lengthy. I believe there are just as many negative attributes as there are positive. However, it is the responsibility of the teacher to be specific about what to do and not to do while using the internet. It is important that collegiate and grade school students alike learn and understand the relevance of plagiarism, copyright, and misusing information found on the Internet as well as using information that is not credible like Wikipedia. 

The Internet is a valuable tool in education and has revolutionized the way we learn and teach. It is a tool that can transform a class for mediocrity to excellence. Teachers now have access to lesson plans, activities, and even standards/objectives on the world wide web. Some of these tools are free, downloadable, and ready to use. The impact that this has on a classroom and the learning experience of the student is a force to be reckoned with. Teachers and students can interact with one another and participate in a healthy virtual learning environment. 

Although the Internet is useful in a student's learning process, it can impact them negatively. The Internet is full of all kinds of material and information. With students who are minors, a simple Google search can produce a plethora of information that has no limits or boundaries. Being exposed to harmful content is always a concern. In addition, with so much information on the web it can cripple a student from forming in-depth analysis of subject matter. This can often lead to plagiarism both knowingly and unknowingly. The lines between what is common knowledge and what isn't is very blurred because of this. 

Using the Internet and reflecting on how it impacts a student's learning is essential to an educator. The use of the Internet in the classroom is very relevant and can be extremely beneficial to both the student and the teacher. But it is imperative that the teacher 1) protects the students, 2) make sure the student understands the proper use of the Internet, 3) do not expose the student to harmful content, 4) address and clarify any concerns regarding the use of the internet, plagiarism, and copyright laws, and 5) be aware at all times of just how the Internet affects the overall learning experience. 

Use of the Internet can be detrimental to a student's learning experience. It is the responsibility of the teacher to ensure its usage is appropriate, relevant, and beneficial.