cheekymonkey
Working with New Media
Nowadays, everyone is talking about how important it is to involve new
media technology in the modern classroom. Nearly every student has
access to a pc at home and if that is not the case then usually the
school offers a computer for educational purposes. There are a lot of
diverse benefits of using the web tools provided, students can work
individually or in groups and improve their creativity while trying to
create a storybook online, for example. Moreover, students familiarise
themselves with the media available and learn how to use it effectively.
In addition to many of the positive aspects of digital media, there are also downsides. One major disadvantage occurs if teachers or students don't know how to use media properly. It is as simple as that: if textbooks, novels or poems are totally substituted by television, movies or podcasts, students will not learn how to read as efficiently. It is well known that using new media is not some hideous tool to assist in teaching, however, the excessive use of these mediums as a primary resource takes away from the students ability to develop their imagination and creative thinking, rather than improve it. Clearly this goes against the very goals of teaching. Teachers shouldn't use new media as the primary tool in class because it requires less planning and therefore less effort on their parts. The appropriate use of media in the classroom is just as important as the actual use. If students get overexposed to visual media their language skills are more likely to decrease. Not knowing how to read or work with a text appropriately, drives students to the inability to write properly, spell correctly or know how information can be extracted productively from a text. This, of course, is something no teacher would wish to happen to their students. Therefore, it is indispensable for teachers to be aware of the negative aspects associated with digital media.
Another problem is content on websites, which is not suitable for minors. Appropriate web surfing should be taught not only at home, but also in school. As schools are working more and more with the internet they too must come to terms with this issue. They should develop concepts to fulfill their duty of supervision. Furthermore, it is important to introduce the students to critical and reflective media use. If you are a worried parent or merely a responsible teacher, you can find a lot of interesting websites which simplify the safer use of the internet for your children or students.
Check these links out
www.internet-abc.de - advertising-free platform for accessing the internet for children, parents and educators
www.jugendmedienschutz.de - educational media activities etc. for youth media protection
www.jugendschutztrainer.de - test yourself how much you know about the new regulations of the youth protection law
www.klicksafe.de - background information about the safer use of the internet for children
www.profilewatch.org - check the privacy score of a facebook account
All in all, I think the internet and the work with new media offers loads of exciting opportunities for both teachers and students. However, nobody should underestimate the importance of using these mediums in a safe and effective manner, as the mishandling of it might lead to serious consequences.
In addition to many of the positive aspects of digital media, there are also downsides. One major disadvantage occurs if teachers or students don't know how to use media properly. It is as simple as that: if textbooks, novels or poems are totally substituted by television, movies or podcasts, students will not learn how to read as efficiently. It is well known that using new media is not some hideous tool to assist in teaching, however, the excessive use of these mediums as a primary resource takes away from the students ability to develop their imagination and creative thinking, rather than improve it. Clearly this goes against the very goals of teaching. Teachers shouldn't use new media as the primary tool in class because it requires less planning and therefore less effort on their parts. The appropriate use of media in the classroom is just as important as the actual use. If students get overexposed to visual media their language skills are more likely to decrease. Not knowing how to read or work with a text appropriately, drives students to the inability to write properly, spell correctly or know how information can be extracted productively from a text. This, of course, is something no teacher would wish to happen to their students. Therefore, it is indispensable for teachers to be aware of the negative aspects associated with digital media.
Another problem is content on websites, which is not suitable for minors. Appropriate web surfing should be taught not only at home, but also in school. As schools are working more and more with the internet they too must come to terms with this issue. They should develop concepts to fulfill their duty of supervision. Furthermore, it is important to introduce the students to critical and reflective media use. If you are a worried parent or merely a responsible teacher, you can find a lot of interesting websites which simplify the safer use of the internet for your children or students.
Check these links out
www.internet-abc.de - advertising-free platform for accessing the internet for children, parents and educators
www.jugendmedienschutz.de - educational media activities etc. for youth media protection
www.jugendschutztrainer.de - test yourself how much you know about the new regulations of the youth protection law
www.klicksafe.de - background information about the safer use of the internet for children
www.profilewatch.org - check the privacy score of a facebook account
All in all, I think the internet and the work with new media offers loads of exciting opportunities for both teachers and students. However, nobody should underestimate the importance of using these mediums in a safe and effective manner, as the mishandling of it might lead to serious consequences.
