Chapters 1 & 10

Chapter 1 in Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms, started out by discussing the short history of the Internet.  It began in 1989 to a few individuals where it spread rapidly to many people in 1993 because of the Mosaic Web browser. (p. 1)  Today in the 21st century, Internet is everywhere; it is not just a place to find information but a place of communication, sharing, uploading and much more.  Page five describes the 21st century as a "society of authorship" because of the rate in which people are using the tools on the Internet to "publish" their work.  The chapter goes on to discuss the place that technology holds in the classroom.  "Today's schools are faced with a difficult dilemma that pits a student body that has grown up immersed in technology against a teaching faculty that is less agile with the tools of the trade." (p.7)  I feel that this quote says it all.  Our students are more computer literate today than teachers are.  In order to embrace that, teachers need to keep up with the trends and research the newest technology advances and how to incorporate them into the classroom or lessons.  With technology becoming more prevalent, it is important now more than ever to make it a part of our day,

Chapter ten outlines ten shifts that have occurred because of the Internet.  I believe that three of those shifts are not just crucial but more beneficial in the long run; these shifts include portfolios, communication and not being limited to just text.  Teachers will always keep portfolios of student work; a blog or other Internet tools will keep that students work neatly in one place, in chronological order and give it a more professional look.  It is also nice that portfolios will be paperless which will take up less room and space in the classroom.  Next, the ability to communicate with others the Internet already has in spades (in my opinion.)  There are so many sites that keep communication open to everyone no matter where in the world they are.  Because of Skype, I have not only the ability to talk to my friend in Scotland but I can see her too.  Sites like Facebook, Twitter, etc. also give way to communication.  Finally, the ability to not only have access to text.is something that creates better lessons.  More and more teachers are using YouTube videos in their lessons.  This tool may be more interesting to students thus producing a better outcome later.  These shifts are huge in social aspects as well as in education.

The article on Blackboard  What is New About the New Literacies of Online Reading Comprehension gave an outlook on how far Internet has come since 1994.  It stated on page 41 that only three percent of classrooms from K to 12 had Internet access in 1994.  It then goes on to say that 93% of today's classrooms have Internet access. Whether the 93% of classrooms actively use the Internet was never mentioned.  But a 90% jump in 16 years is huge.  I don't think it will be that long before every classroom has an Internet connection and soon classrooms will be equipped with more technology such as SmartBoards, iPads and other new up and coming technology.