Journal 3: Keeping the Peace (NETS IV & V)

Keeping the Peace

Levinson, M. (2010). Keeping the peace. Learning and Leading with Technology, 37(5), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfmSection=February_No_5_4&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4495&ContentID=25237&DirectListComboInd=D

This article is about a school, Nueva School, that went one-to-one with laptops for students at their school. They administration, staff, teachers, and parents soon found out that students were too often using this new laptop for Instant Messaging. They weren't paying attention in class and parents were upset that the school did this "behind their backs". Parents wanted to be the ones to introduce IM and that part of the internet to their own children.  There was a  huge backlash for this schools actions in just giving their students new laptops. Parents were so upset about the IMing and IChat that the school actually ended up blocking it completely. There was also a negative reaction to this where some people thought that was drastic and that families should have the choice to let their kids use IM and Ichat if they allowed but the school kept their rule to let the whole commotion die down. This was a huge learning experience for this particular school and or any schools that would follow in its footsteps. The school now holds "boot-up camps" where kids learn the correct way to use and treat the laptops and parents also go through a "training" on how to set up boundaries at home and to explain to them why each student having their own is important to the students schooling and learning.

What grades is this idea most beneficial for?

Although I feel like this is a good idea for schools, I don't know if I think it's a good idea for elementary schools. They are just too young. This incident happened at a middle school and I think it is important for students in middle and high school to be able to have their own laptop if possible. It would greatly help in their learning and also help not give them an excuse for not doing homework. Also classrooms could teach online lessons and use technology more.

Were the parents responses justified?

I believe they were because ultimately it should be the parents decision. The parents are the ones who raise their kids and whatever and whenever they want to introduce these new ideas and gadgets to their kids is their choice in their own time.