This weeks discussion really lead me to think about using the world wide web with young learners. And by young learners I am speaking of primary elementary students- grades K-3. There are so many amazing resources out there, as we have explored throughout this course, however it is difficult to manage these resources with young students who are just learning the ropes of using a computer and the internet. In our conference this week, there were many great points made about the authenticity of a website and making sure that its content was appropriate and acceptable for students. However, students in the lower elementary grades do not even know those words, let alone how to judge if a website contains such material. I think that, as a teacher of a lower grade, we need to be very conscientious of our decision to put students on the web. There have been many times in my teaching career where I find a great website or resource and stick in on the computer for my students without fully exploring it. I then look over during math centers to find my students on a random web page playing a game that has no tie to our subject area. With a few clicks of the mouse the students were lead astray, and don't even realize it.
Unfortunately I think the only way around this is through very clear and explicit lessons about how to use websites with the students. I go through each game or computer site with my students before I put them on it now, and show them exactly where to click and how to click to get them from place to place. We go over the back button and how to get back "home" so that they don't get too lost. And I try to monitor them or have another adult monitor the computer center whenever they are on it. The best place to start with kindergarteners is through education and exploration. Hopefully that way, by the time they get to the upper grades where they might be doing research or free exploration, they have the background knowledge and experience for how to navigate effectively.
Heidi,
ReplyDeleteI agree that a lot of the terms discussed in our conference this week are terms that go over younger students heads. I think that the way you introduce each website is great, and I like that you have an adult nearby to help. I believe that working on the internet and searching websites is a skill that is built upon. You are setting up a great foundation for the future.
Heidi,
ReplyDeleteI too am very "scared" to use the web with young learners. I teach K-5 and often do webquests and other technology lessons with my 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. However, I'm a little ashamed to say that I have never set foot in the computer lab with K-2. Granted, music is a different beast. Since I only see the students for 2, 30 minute periods a week, I simply don't have time to do entire lessons on nettiquite and I also can't be sure that the students have learned these things in technology or in the regular classroom. So, I tend to stray away, which perhaps isn't the best solution. I am hoping that through this course I will be able to feel more comfortable using these sources with younger students, because there is so much that they can learn.