Response to Chapter 1

Since the internet has come into the everyday existence in to day world thanks to Tim Berners-Lee in 1989 the Internet and how we read/write the web is constantly changing.  Not only is the way the web is viewed different with containing more multi-media, pictures and interaction compared to the early days of the Internet.  "Web technologies are creating a "tectonic shift" in the world, not simply because of what they allow us to publish, but because of what happens after we publish" (pg. 3, Richardson).  By doing so this helps to develop groups of common interest which wasn't available years ago.

It's interesting to think how social media plays a large role in how news obtained in today's world.  From the previous presidential election to the wars over seas through the use of technology we can receive news instantly from recreational journalist.  Rather than reading the newspaper in the morning or watching the news our students are viewing social media which giving us instant updates about our friends, family, pop culture ect. and allows us to also receive the news.

When are students are using the Internet and social media in the classroom teachers must do everything they can to keep them safe.  Richardson states regarding safety in reading/writing web, "risks can be greatly reduced by having the appropriate information in hand and by planning" (pg. 14, Richardson).  It is very important from a middle school teacher standpoint to make sure students aware of this type of interaction they have by using the Internet.  Before students publish anything on the web they should always be checking make sure its something appropriate that they wouldn't mind their parents viewing.  Once somethings online it becomes public and can be copied and archived even if the original has been taken down.  

Before allowing any use of the Internet students need to understand the expectations of what they can and can't do.  Even though most schools have Internet sites blocked, it's impossible to block all the inappropriate content on the web so teachers must monitor students and limit the time students have to surf the web.  Although setting up technology for students can be tough in today's education setting a students may learning experience can be much more powerful because it reflects an activity of their daily lives.

Works Cited:

Richardson, W. (2010). Blogs, wikis, podcasts, and other powerful web tools for classrooms. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Corwin Press