Kist's Ch. 1.

I loved the introduction to Kist's first chapter!  I found it interesting how he explained the Internet as "interactive in nature," and that most students will use it as a way of "getting back in touch with the world after hours of forced disconnect" (1).  This only made me wonder how utilising more technology into class curriculum could not only make students feel a little more connected with the outside world but could also allow the relationships between teachers and students improve as well.  I'm not saying that I think it's a good idea for students to start texting in the middle of class or checking their facebook, but by maybe using these sources as a way to get students to present an interesting topic they found through one of these social networking cites and to look into it a little more and maybe to even present it to the class.  Before technology existed, and before the Internet, teachers would have to go out and learn how to use certain anthologies, or how to utilise their local library's system in order to efficiently teach their students in a classroom.  When the television was invented, teachers learned how to use this new technology to show students educational videos that allowed them to learn in a more efficient way.  Now that we have all these new non-print tools, why shouldn't teachers learn how to integrate them in the classroom, just as teachers have before them? By allowing students to use technology they are familiar with or introduce them to technology such as blogs, podcasts, etc. can better prepare them for the real world.  Many careers and jobs in the world outside of school require workers to know certain technological tools.  So why not push students to keep an open mind and expand their knowledge on the tools they can use to make their lives more efficient whether in school, or later in a career.  I know for one I see my dad using anything from online discussion boards to skype in order to keep in touch with fellow offices that belong to his company.  Without these tools work projects, and communication would not go as smoothly, making the final execution of the project not as successful/efficient as it should/could be.  If students love these networking websites, and are comfortable with technology....why not utilise these tools in the classroom to strengthen their skills as well as prepare them for a world full of technology.