Generation IM

Plug into Generation IM by David Rapp

This article talks about online social networks fro children that can be used inside and outside of school. I have kind of been on the side of the fence that says these kinds of things aren't appropriate for children and certainly not in school, but the author brings up some good points in advocating them.

First, I think it's great that it is a way to get to know your students better. Being able to see their likes and dislikes brings out their personalities more and enables you to make more of a connection.

Second, it creates responsibility for the students if it's a site that you can post your syllabus on. Because it is available to the students and parents anytime (considering they have computers at home) and makes them responsible by not being able to say, "I didn't know what the assignment was", or, "I didn't know that was due today."

Third, it is a great way to get students interested in learning outside of school as in the example of the students who formed a book club outside of school with the help of one of these sites.

This article helped me to understand that some of the prejudices I have against technology are not always valid.