At first I was worried about watching an hour long video about the internet, but right when “Growing Up Online” started, I was drawn in. The video covered so many different issues in an hour. It started off with showing how much technology has grown in schools, for the better. Nowadays, every school utilizes their computers, and many have even gone beyond that with Smart Boards. Smart Boards are interactive whiteboards that many teachers, including my mom, use in the classroom. These boards entertain the kids and keep their attention. In the video, one school principal stated “We can’t possibly expect the learner of today to be engrossed by someone who speaks in a monotone voice with a piece of chalk in their hand.” Kids need interactive activities, or else they will turn their attention to something different. However, technology is not always the best thing. The remaining stories of “Growing Up Online” were showing how the internet can be a dangerous thing. There was one story about a young girl who was bubbly, sweet, and athletic, but at home on the computer her true feelings could be expressed. She was anorexic, and nobody knew except her fellow anorexic online friends. She found websites that would have discussions on how to live with the eating disorder. The site gave her tips and tricks on how to lose more weight, and she could talk to anyone about their experiences. Instead of helping her, the internet made her anorexia grow. Another story was about a boy who was bullied both at school and online. The internet helped him meet people who were in similar situations, and they could search websites, looking for ways to commit suicide. In the end, he killed himself. Obviously, it was not the internet that made him decide to kill himself, but it helped him in a way. The video explains how a lot of parents are worried about “predators” online, and how the kids are the victims, but sometimes it’s the kids who are to blame. There was another story about a girl who created a whole new person called Autumn Edows. She would post inappropriate pictures that she considered art, and others considered pornographic. When her school got a hold of her website they contacted her parents. It is ok for kids to express themselves, but they have to be careful of how much is exposed. Colleges, employers, and other important people can look at what people have posted on the internet, and that could make or break their decisions. An article I found online called “4 Dangers of the Internet” said the 4 dangers are cyber bulling, sexual predators, pornography, and damaged reputations. It is crazy how this article and the video are talking about the exact same problems with the internet. Even though internet is a huge advancement and so helpful in numerous ways, there are still some dangers. Ultimately, I think “Growing Up Online” is trying to tell watchers to look out for themselves, their friends, and their family members.
The links I chose go hand in hand with the discussion this week. Internet can be a very good thing for schools, as shown by the progress made with Smart Boards. On the other hand, there are many dangers of the internet that parents, teachers, and friends need to look for when watching their kids on the computer.
The topic of technology relates greatly to my major, education, because technology is used in schools every day. As I learn how to become a better teacher, I will be learning how to use technology with my students. My mom, who has been teaching for 14 years, is still going to workshops that are teaching her how to use the new technology. She tells me how her students love watching her use her Smart Board, and I have also seen firsthand how kids love it when I volunteer. However, as a teacher, I will need to monitor my kids, making sure they are safe when using the internet. Teachers don’t only teach math and reading, they teach life skills as well. I am going to need to know the dangers of the internet, that way I can teach my kids how to stay away from it. I remember in 7th grade I learned about the predators on the web, and I talked to my teacher about it later that day and it helped me stay away from meeting strangers online. I want to be that teacher that kids can come to when they need help with a problem, internet wise or not. Learning about new technologies, the positives and the negatives, will always make me a better teacher.
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