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10/10/2005: "Rm211 Brian Horan- The internet"

Establishing rituals
I found the class room entering procedures to be immensely valuable during this time. It was immediately evident to me that I could utilize those expectations to establish respect. We practiced entering the room three times. It was easy to enforce a ritual that had already be laid out. I tip my hat to the foresight of the adminstration for their suggestion.


I also noticed the neccessity to slow down the kids and wait for them to be silent before continuing. The students were very dissappointed that they had no time to interact with the computers at the end of the day. However, I will always maintain that the use of the Lab is a privelage that must be earned. It provided me with an opportunity to explain how delicate the computers were.

Topics covered
We spoke about the way the internet is like a web, and the various physical parts that it is actually made of. I utilized dictionary.com to define some computer terms, which served another purpose in being a demonstrative tool. I created a word picture of a spider web with flies stuck to it in order to communicate the way that individual computers are connected to servers and each other in the internet.

I was also able to utilize a question about a nano-ipod ad on the dictionary.com website to talk about possible dangers of the internet, and how it has less borders and security that we enjoy in real life. I asked the students for ideas about how the internet could be a dangerous place. I emphasised that some people who use the internet are decietful. I made an illistration using a closet. In real life, if the teacher did not want me to smack him in the face, he could hide in a closet or build a wall. However, on the internet there are no closets or walls. In retrospect, this may have been a violent hypothetical, but I think it made an impact (so to speak).

It would have been nice to show them what an email message looks like, but I was content to set the bar of lab behavior.

Next time
I really would like to find a way to involve the children more interactively with the computers. Hopefully, they will demonstrate their preparedness next time. I noticed that some of the most active children were also the most curious and willing to participate. It seems to me that there must be a way to engage them with the technology and use their energies in a creative (rather than destructive) manner. I recognized most bad behaviors as a bid for attention. Hopefully, I can invest that attention without neglecting the needs of the quieter students. I believe an activity that allows them some creative expression will be useful. I would like to have some nametags. Perhaps I will allow them to create their own nametags using a template. Ideally, the design could be used as a flag to gain attention while at the computers rather than rely upon hand raising.