Chapter one

In chapter one of Personal Learning Networks, Using the Power of Connection to Transform Education the main concept is bringing the classroom into the 21st century. They claim,  "Students are better prepare for life and work in the 21st century" if children are introduce and experience technology in the classroom.  This is obviously true because it will enable the students to be very skilled at many different programs that could be beneficial to the work force.   They also claim that learning online opens the door to an unlimited amount of teachers.  The students can read knowledge from all around the world with a couple clicks.  The book states, "Today we can turn to all sorts of professionals and collaborators from any where in the world to help us answer out questions, connect us to relevant content and resources, or just share their own experiences."  In English class this semester our professor asked if we believed getting on the Internet to look up a question, and how easy it is, is a good thing or a bad thing.  I automatically believed it was a good thing.  I wrote a short belief statement about how the other side of this argument didn't even make sense. How would it be a bad thing to have unlimited access to all your questions? The next day I was surprised on how many people said that it was a bad thing.  As I listened to their reasoning I began to change my view. Having access to the Internet in the classroom takes away the process of thinking, coming up with an idea, and questioning.  So children instead of coming up with ideas on the answers it might be instead they look it up online.  They get a simple answer to their question without any effort.   Without effort I do not believe that students are truely taking in the information.  I have googled many questions and I can honestly say that I do not remember the questions I have asked nor do I remember the answer.


The book also claims that the students will also become more engaged in the classroom.  I do not fully agree with this.  Although they would be able to make PowerPoint's and look up  information pertaining to the subject, I believe the students would be very distracted if we allowed students to always be connect to the Internet.

I think there are many good ideas on how technology can enhance the classroom experience but I do not think it should be 100% technology all the time. Even though the "traditional"classroom may not be 21st century it still has many qualities that technology can not cover.