Journal Artical # 3: Keeping the peace NETS 2 and 5

Levinson, M. (2009-2010). Keeping the peace . Learning and leading with Technology online journal, 37(5),

This article was really intrusting because this is the type of case that would probably happen at my middle school. The Article was about the gap between parents and staff versus students that where abusing their right to instant message each other. The school I believe was given laptops by a company and all the students had access to the instant messaging that came with the laptops. Many students started to abuse their rights and started using the technology for negative aspects like taking pictures of their mom's in night gowns. This article also talked about how some students found a positive side to the technology because it closed the gap of many students that do not have really good social skills. Overall they found out that technology can be harmful without proper training and set guidelines for students. I really enjoyed the ending that talked about how they where able to solve their problems and are still working on making their program better. So in a way it is an article that tells us not to be afraid to use technology but rather that we will learn from it.

What are the positives of instant messaging in the classroom?

I can see the positives of instant messaging in many aspects for instance if you are doing a science lab out side the classroom. One student could be recording data on a spread sheet in the class while others are outside. Also if they have a question about anything they could instantly ask the teacher the same question and have a response within seconds. So let’s say you are in a middle school class and you finish your work for one class and you would like to begin another assignment for another teacher but you have a question that needs to be asked till the end of the period. Well you could simply instant message any of your teachers about any questions. I could also see the possibilities of students using I chat to work on research projects. I can see the positives out way the negatives if you are able to some how regulate the problems.

What could be some of the problems?

Like anything all it takes is one joker to ruin it for every one else in the class. Just like any technology students could totally lose their focus and begin to use this technology in a negative fashion. Can you imagine if you are struggling student and you do not want to do your class work what would happen is a simple copy paste away. What about inappropriate pictures of other students or of your teacher and the rights of others in the classroom? What about students allowing outside individuals to come in and Chat as well or bullying during a chat. It is a lot of problems but I believe with proper training and examples students would benefit from this technology.