Clarence on “whose tools? Theirs”

I feel that Clarence’s blog on Remote Access is the perfect example for merging the two classes I am taking together. Clarence is talking about whose tools? These technology tools belong to our students where as we might actually be able to use them, the students own them. By own them, I mean, they are able to incorporate and use them naturally and whithout second thought while we are still looking at how to download them. I mean no offense to the tech savy person, but unless you have never known of the “slow” ways of the world you don’t realize your limitations. Things to this day still amaze me. We were discussion eportfolios and I am still not used to the regular portfolios that the seniors are required to submit each year. I feel that this is the perfect example of showing how we are the immigrants and the next generations are the native like Pensky says. The students in this article were one step ahead of the administration and already knew what to do and what would be required of them as students. We don’t give our students enough freedom especially when it comes to technology.
Another lesson to learn from this blog by Clarence is that we need to learn how to incorporate every day tools, like IM into our schools. We shouldn’t ban them an keep them out just because someone MIGHT do something bad. If that were the case we shouldn’t let the students into the school because we know that they ARE going to do something bad ( or at least one will within the year). Since that would be silly to keep students out of school because of what they might do, it is also silly to limit the students because some students will do things inappropriately. I feel that with rules and guidelines the students will be able to use any tools they normally use at home, productively at school. The ones that are going to use the tools properly already know what is right and what is inappropriate. Of course, there will be some you will have to ban from the computer and enforce strict punishments for breaking the rules. If the rules are enforced for all, then they should all learn quickly not to abuse their privilege or it can and will be taken away.
Again all these things have been talked about in the two classes I am taken, so it just goes to show you how relevant these classes are.