Newsgroups in the Classroom?

     It seems to me that USENET and newsgroups helped pioneer the concept of free sharing of ideas and concepts on the web. I in no way claim to be an expert on this mode of sharing information with others. The idea that anyone can publish their ideas for others' viewing. Unfortunately, there now are millions (excuse my hyperbole) of other ways that we can now congregate in some sort of internet forum, in which we can share ideas. Specific to a classroom, there are many ways in which we can share ideas or in which ideas can be found. In other words, there are other vehicles we can choose to drive on the information superhighway.

 Picture taken from this Flickr account, labeled for reuse.

 
     In pondering on the uses of newsgroups in the classroom, I tried to understand what the strength of using such a medium for the benefits of a classroom. I believe that the true strength of a newsgroup is that of public file sharing within the classroom. Another benefit is that other interested parties, not of your classroom can potentially join your group in such activities.

     In my limited experience with newsgroups, for me, I found that searching for information relevant to a K-12 classroom was difficult. I do not think that this is a good source for students to search for specific information; search engines will suffice. While a classroom could set up a newsgroup and post topics in hopes that others would stumble upon it to offer their wisdom, I find this unlikely. I am not sure about varying levels of censorship within specific newsgroups, but it may not be prudent to direct students to free, uncensored sharing on the internet. If I were to use a newsgroup, it would be to a specific group.
 

Photo found on this Flickr account, labeled for reuse.

     The question right now in my mind is, "What do newsgroups provide that other services, like Facebook, Google+, or even a teacher moderated blog, do not? I am not quite sure on the answer to that question. More than likely I overlooked details that could give me a better insight to that question. As it stands right now I don't see a need for newsgroups in the classroom. Depending on the project or idea being implemented within the classroom, I believe there are other substitutes that are more familiar to our students within the classroom. Newsgroups just may be outdated in the classroom.

Link for Usenet

 

Digital Story Telling in the Classroom

     Can you imagine a student devoting time, hard work and creativity into a project, and then being able to share their work with friends and relatives from all over the world? I love the idea of implementing digital storytelling in the classroom.

     For me, one of the most appealing features of digital story telling is how many facets of learning it covers for the student. Such a project can develop: creativity, critical thinking, an understanding of principles of design, an understanding of presentation and writing skills, and many more skills. It is furthermore impressive to me that these principles and skills can be taught to the children in a way that will better excite many students to become involved. To me this is a perfect example of implementing technology within the classroom in a meaningful way.

     I believe that when a student puts effort into projects, like a digital story, they develop a greater sense of pride and ownership in their work (especially if they are using newly developed skills). To me that is a marvellous way to inspire students to learn. The ability that we have now in publishing media files on the internet is a way to share students' work within the classroom. The ability to share projects to the web is not only a way to inspire students to work harder, but it is a way to help students develop more pride in their work. It is a way to help students believe that they have something of worth to share with others.  This to me is enough to justify such project in the classroom.

    When I am teaching, I know that I will try to have such projects within my own classroom.

Here is a link of  an example I made using a movie editor to explain a scientific principle (click to see).

Reaction to John Thompson's article "Is Educaton 1.0 Ready for 2.0 Students?"

     In addressing the question posed by Thompson in his given article, a whole slough of questions and thoughts came to mind. I find it difficult sorting through what topics and issues to address. For instance there is a difference between applications and implications of using the Web 2.0 premise in an elementary school, as compared to using in University. For me the fundamental question that arises "What is the purpose of education?", is it to provide persons with the skill sets to be able to take functional roles within society? If that is the case what is the blossoming role for the Web 2.0 in society? Will it grow into a way to effectively conduct and manage businesses/the workplace? These questions (some maybe more relevant than others) and more filtered through my mind while reading this document. There are a couple questions which I will ask.

     

     How high is the value of face to face interaction between teachers, students, and peers? Is the medium of using the web to read and write through the web going to enrich those relationships or take away from it? I think that there is no denying that Web 2.0 should be implemented into the classroom at some levels. It is clear that through each rising generation that our youth become more and more entrenched into the digital world. I find it interesting how we as educators (or future educators) always see and discuss the need to conform and teach to the changes within the rising generation. Is there a risk to complying to much to this idea? For example, I have heard many times that the attention spans of children are getting shorter and that we need to plan appropriately for them. Do we need to plan appropriately, or do we need to help them develop longer attention spans? What is the appropriate response to the trends within the rising generation? Similarly we need to find an appropriate response to the change in how students today exchange information. The challenge for the teacher is to find appropriate uses for exchange of information outside of the 1.0 medium. 

     

     So what is the most appropriate use of this exchange of information? I do not think it wise to completely make obsolete the face to face interaction between the teacher and student. I believe regular that face to face interaction creates a bond between the teacher and student that cannot be replaced (I realize that this is not necessarily what this article is suggesting). In a classroom I do not think it unreasonable to have students share information and even hand in occasional assignments through the medium of Web 2.0. However I do think that assignments should also be handed in by hand. There are any other wonderful possibilities and capabilities  of the thought of on-line exchange of information. Through programs like Google Docs and Google Calenders Student agendas and newsletters could eventually be made obsolete, once all students and homes assuredly had on-line capabilities. I feel that it is important for us to find a balance between using technology too much as a medium of exchange or, too little. 

     

     I could go on for much longer, but to wrap it up I want to address the conclusion of Thompson's article. He refers to keeping up with the times and being willing to experiment with different business models. We must find the best way to run our education system. We need to look to the future and prepare our students for a future where much information will be exchanged through digital means. We need to make sure that when they leave the "educational business model" that the want be shocked when they enter into the business models of the world. We need to make sure that they have both the digital and personal skills it takes to be successful.

Read Thompson's article here