Networked Classrooms

This week has simply flown by!  Spring fever has certainly hit my family and our activities have kept us very busy.  Birds are singing and flowers are blooming.  Slowly, but surely, my personal learning network is growing as well. 

This week the assignment is to reflect on the advantages and disadvantages of a networked classroom.  I think the greatest advantage is the limitless possibilities that are suddenly available in a networked classroom.  Many of the schools in my area are rural and field trips can often be difficult to finance, especially with rising fuel costs.  A networked classroom can bring the field trip to the students.  Authors, scientists, and other experts can visit the classroom through tools such as Skype allowing for direct interaction without the costly travel. 

Another advantage for a networked classroom is the ability to foster respect and tolerance for other cultures and communities.  Students who share their work and view the work of others have the opportunity to look at issues from multiple points of view.  Rarely is a situation black and white.  Interacting with students through blogs or virtual classroom communities can help students see the benefits of looking at problems and ideas from multiple perspectives.  In addition, students learn to accept constructive criticism of their own work and understand the value of revision and careful thought. 

In browsing around the internet, I stumbled upon a “quad blog” of four schools in four different countries.  Each school has a different blog week in which students write posts.  The other schools then review the posts and leave comments.  The posts make a very interesting read and are a great showcase of what is possible in a networked classroom.

Of course there are disadvantages as well.  All of us have fallen victim to technology failing at some point.  Posts are lost, servers crash, equipment breaks.  Having a backup plan is always a must.  Privacy concerns are also an issue.  When you open a classroom to the general public, there is always a chance that inappropriate comments may occur, requiring constant monitoring.  Students must also be taught the meaning of digital citizenship.  Responsibility in the virtual world is just as important as in the actual world.   Teaching these skills requires additional time in an already crowded curriculum. 

Although I do not have my own classroom yet, I think baby steps could be taken in almost any room to transition toward a networked classroom.  Even in a classroom that only has one computer a teacher can incorporate items to make connections.  Simply creating a class blog and showcasing projects or work could invite comments and help increase parental awareness of what happens in the classroom.  Access to a webcam and allow guest speakers to visit the classroom.  Over time additional steps can be taken to broaden the horizons of the classroom and create a truly networked environment. 

I look forward to the new and interesting ways in which technology can help bring new ideas into the classroom and help students learn.