Chapter One

Chapter One
The Read/Write Web

     I found chapter one, The Read/Write Web, very interesting and I enjoyed reading it.  I was surprised to read that the fastest growing age group for using the Internet is 2-5 year olds.  Then, I thought, Wow!  This must be true as my just turned 6 year old grandson has his own e-mail account and my 3 year old granddaughter knows about e-mail and skype and has actually been able to skype people by herself, (by accident.)  Her parents have to keep the computer locked.

     I was also very interested in the section, Keeping Students Safe.  During my bullying/harassment unit, I discuss cyberbullying.  Our department has been asked to cover this area more.  Now that I am learning about blogging, etc, I'll be more knowledgeable with what's out there on the web and can discuss other areas besides e-mailing and facebook with the students.  This section brought up some good ideas relating to safety issues.

     The history of the development of internet publishing tools was very interesting.  It helped me to understand what's been happening with technologies.  I've been removed from it for awhile and there are so many exciting things to learn, and it's true that the kids are fearless in their use of technology.  Many times, last year, I'd ask my middle school students for help when I couldn't figure something out, usually very easy, and they'd know exactly what to do.  I must add that I didn't get the feeling that the kids thought I was "stupid" even sometimes I felt that I was.  These students have been immersed in technology since they've been born and it was no big deal to them to give assistance.

     Lastly, since I am a Health teacher, I was quite interested in reading that the "immersion in technology has neurological effects."  Kids may start thinking differently than us by developing "hypertext" minds.  They may not learn sequentially anymore; their learning may be parallel.  Currently, I'm teaching some psychology to my 8th graders about how they learn.  I wonder if left-brain and right-brain characteristics will change and we'll have a "new-brain" with characteristics all it's own?