Internet use in the classroom: let's ride the tubes!

Former Alaska Senator Ted Stevens once famously referred to the Internet as "a series of tubes" (Series of tubes, 2011).  The Senator was trying to use an analogy to make a point, but came off, to many, sounding out of touch with modern technology.  Whether the depiction is fair, an octogenarian can surely be given some leeway if not fully up to date with 21st century technology.  But we'd best be preparing our students for the technological literacy they'll be depending on.  Fortunately, they are already one step ahead of the game.  Whether it be Facebook, Twitter, or smart phones, students today are proficient in a wide range of technological areas.  Therefore, it is not only vitally important to teach students how to skillfully navigate the Internet for reliable information, but by utilizing a medium that is ubiquitous in the lives of these kids, content knowledge can be explored more fruitfully.

Donald Leu, who directs the New Literacies Research Lab in the Neag School of Education at UCONN, talks to educators about incorporating these new literacies into the classroom.  Four of these models are the Internet Workshop, the Internet Project, Internet Inquiry, and WebQuests.  All are meant to fit Internet literacy into the existing curriculum and units teachers are already using, but each is different in its approach and function.  Some involve a great deal of latitude in terms of where or for what the student will search (like Internet Inquiry and, to some extent, Internet Workshop), while others are more teacher-directed (like Internet Project).  Some involve extensive searching that furthers technological proficiency (like Internet Inquiry), while in other models, web content is organized and focused for the students (like WebQuests).  Some involve simple tasks, while others are as complex as a teacher would like it to be.  But all these models are similar in some very important ways.  They all promote critical thinking, work to enhance content knowledge, and develop technological competency.  Most of all, they all cultivate collaboration, either among students within the class, or with classes from other towns, states, or countries.  This is one of the most important aspects of these models, promoting digital citizenship, one of the key standards set by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE, 2007).  They are intended to to provide students with the opportunity to learn from each other, not only in content knowledge, but in new Internet literacies (Leu, 2002). Teachers should not fear the intrusion of technology into the classroom.  In fact, as stated by Dr. Leu in one of his educational videos, these models are meant to be integrated in ways that allow the teacher to make it part of their lesson plans (Leu, 2002 1a).  

In the Fall, I'll be doing my student teaching in Colchester, CT.  The science department utilizes a Wiki, and I am fairly certain that classrooms are equipped with SMART Boards.  This Friday I meet with my coordinating teacher to discuss what other technology is in use, and perhaps I'll be able to bring some new ideas as well.  For instance, my class could work on an Internet Project through a website called ScienceForCitizens.  This would be a great way for students to get connected with other classes while working on research that will be used by actual scientists.  Or we could do an Internet Workshop where students are asked to research any living organism that interests them with the goal of gathering information about its morphology and evolutionary history.  During the workshop, students would discuss their particular research, and as a group we could construct a phylogenetic tree.  


International Society for Technology in Education.  (2007).  NETS for students 2007.  Retrieved June 10, 2011 from http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-students/nets-student-standards-2007.aspx


Leu, D.,  (2002).  Internet Workshop: Making time for literacy.  The Reading Teacher, 55(5). Retrieved June 9, 2011,  from http://www.readingonline.org/electronic/RT/2-02_column/


Leu, D.,  (2002 1a).  Canter video website.  Retrieved June 9, 2011 from http://ctell.uconn.edu/canter/canter_video.cfm?movie=1a_new_technologies.mov 


Wikipedia.  (2011).  Series of tubes.  Retrieved June 8, 2011, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Series_of_tubes