In an age in which so much is going on, many teachers wonder not only how to have conversations with students about current events but also how to frame the educational technology used around these times. For example, a third grade teacher may be worried about assigning a research project and allowing students to use the internet for fear that this opens the door for misuse of the internet.
This is something I have heard from teachers of every age group and in every school setting, regardless of my role. And while every district has an “Acceptable Use Policy” or guidelines for use, it does not seem to stop the fear that students will be exposed to material in the classroom on the teacher’s time. That is a walk to the principal’s office that nobody wants to take. As a former secondary teacher, I can say that it was an opportunity for me to get students engaged in the learning process. When teaching students how to write about a “Critical Societal Issue” we spent more time talking about why these were issues, what they thought, what was respectful dialogue and what would and would not be accepted than we did on the actual computer doing research. All of these seventh grade students were also being faced with the Flint Water Crisis not only in their backyard, but from their own sinks. Two families from our school made national headlines for advocacy about this issue. I could not, in good conscience, ask them to write about school uniforms. |
AuthorJessica Tuwaiq is a former ELA middle school teacher as well as a former instructional technology coach. In her current role, she works with Michigan districts to implement technology. Categories
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