Journal # 4 "Its time to trust teachers with the Internet: A Conversation with Meg Ormiston.” (NETS 3 & 4)

Ormiston, M. (2010). Its time to trust teachers with the internet: a conversation with meg ormiston. THE Journal, Retrieved from
http://thejournal.com/articles/2010/12/01/its-time-to-trust-teachers-with-the-internet-a-conversation-with-meg-ormiston.aspx?sc_lang=en
  In this article, the author Meg Orminston is discussing how teachers are being pressured to incorporate 21st century teaching and learning in to their classrooms, but are not being allowed to use the tools they need to do that. Schools are having a hard time trusting the teachers that they hired to care for children in a classroom setting. They believe that somehow teachers are not going to be able to teach responsible computing, so instead they block all of these websites that students could gain from.
Instead, how it should be looked at, is that teachers have the potential to help students make good choices with networking resources. They can teach them what is right and what is wrong to look at. Because, of course there are inappropriate things on You Tube and networks that are similar, but on the other hand, there are very rich, wonderful learning opportunities as well. At the end of the day, if schools keep restricting the technology in the classroom, teachers will eventually give up and students will lose because they aren’t able to keep up with the new information.

What can students gain by receiving information about how to use 21st century technology in their classrooms?
While they are still in school, the internet and social networks can help them find outside information on what they are learning in class. They may find more helpful websites than what has been presented in class. And when they graduate, and are in the real world, they are just one step ahead. They will know how to access great information, and will have developed better skills at exploring the internet.

Do you feel that teachers should be trusted with teaching this information, even if it may lead to some teachers putting up inappropriate information in class?
Yes, just because a few teachers may get out of line, the rest of the schools in the U.S. shouldn’t have to suffer. There is more to gain by trusting our teachers than worrying that a few may not be able to control a classroom.