Internet: High Risk, But High Rewards!

    The internet provides "a structured and guided learning" environment "for students to use a they conduct research in an online environment" (Skylar, Higgins, and Boone, 2007, p.27). The objective of Internet projects provides a collaborative environment for students between classrooms in different locations "that solve a common problem" (Leu, 2004 Video 3a). The purpose of web based internet projects allows contribution of student work around the world. The students focus on one topic and contribute thoughts and ideas to share with one another surrounding it. It promotes multiculturalism, diversity, and literacy.

http://www.teachers.ash.org.au/bookzone/bookraps.htm
http://www.flatstanley.com/
http://www.virtualclassroom.org/

       Internet projects can be implemented in any core subject area. The possibilities of topics are endless in the sense that if a topic is not already an internet project, together or separately teachers and students can design an internet project due to flexibility of different types of internet based projects. Internet projects are versatile in the sense that in can be implemented at any grade level (including the graduate level). They can help introduce students to a new unit, build background knowledge, as well as to develop specific content knowledge and navigation strategies. Internet projects can include, but are not certainly limited to topics around books read during English class, science experiments, history topics (geography of certain regions), and mathematical research (charting, surveys, etc.). Internet projects can be implemented at any rate in time, but should be completed at least weekly in order to promote students' use of the internet. Flat Stanley project is a great idea to promote writing and showing different types of culture's learning styles. I think it would be a great motivator in the sense that students know that this project sends "Stanley's" globally, which brings a sense of adventure and responsibility to ensure that "Stanley" is doing something exciting with them to share with other students around the world. Book raps is a great idea because I feel it would promote reading more since the students can see other students' opinions about a book that is read in school. I think students would want to read more books because they get to share ideas with people outside of their own classroom. Since this program allows student responses from across the world, it promotes multiculturalism as each culture could have a different interpretation of the stories. I noticed that all of these websites are very open-ended in the sense of what is discussed, but focused on that one specific topic on each website. The responses are very diverse, but are all correct. It was interesting to see different ideas that have been generated. I especially liked the Flat Stanley website because the ideas of where "Stanley" was taken and what "he" was doing were so fascinating, I saw places I have never seen before. Both Global Virtual Classroom and Think Quest are good resources for teachers to utilize and bring to students that promote the use of the internet in various contexts in the classroom environment.    
       There are several types of literacies that are involved for both teachers and students. Teachers needs to know how to search to find these types of resources on the internet. They also have to learn how to connect with other teachers and students across the world to help promote the use of internet based projects. They have to create a network between these classrooms in order to promote students uses of these types of web pages. They also have to model how to use these website appropriately. Students have to understand how to navigate, read, and type on these webpages. Literacy fits in because students are writing stories, sharing responses to ideas, expressing their opinions, reading other students ideas and responses, and are uploading their work onto the websites. They are communicating with people even outside of their culture so they are breaking cultural barriers that might have been hindering their education.       
    This technology transforms both teaching and learning in the sense that teachers' "role changes from being the one, and only, expert to being an instructional leader within a classroom community where many members have expertise" (Leu, Leu, & Coiro, 2004, p. 7). Many internet based projects are student-centered allowing students to have more control of their learning. This gives them more responsibilities to take charge of the types of content they will learn. This type of technology is important and promotes better reading and writing skills because students take pride in their work when they know that people outside of school will be able to see their work. It also encourages students to learn from each other as many of these websites are global. Students are given opportunities to see different interpretations and ideas surrounding a specific topic of interest. Internet projects can "facilitate students' proficiency in information communication technologies and critical literacies" (Sox & Rubinstein-Avila, 2009). The use of the internet allows students to become better prepared for 21st century learning as technology becomes more of an importance in daily life. It provides them with content knowledge which allows them to use critical literacies such as determining importance of information. As mentioned in previous posts, allowing for the use of the internet within the classroom environment provides students with the opportunity to become the experts and teachers themselves. This allows teachers to take a step back and monitor students' progress. Teachers are given more of an opportunity to observes students' comprehension and learning styles. It also provides them with insight as to what should be taught next and what are the further needs of their students. Internet projects further promote learning in the sense that it provides for multiculturalism experiences. It provides "collaborative learning opportunities with other classrooms from around the world" (Leu, Leu, & Coiro, 2004, p. 18). Students are opened to different interpretations transforming their ideas as to what can be done in educational settings. It also allows for an open mind, which is necessary in our growing multicultural world.