tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post8637300877173901579..comments2024-03-28T05:35:07.354-04:00Comments on Lisa Nielsen: The Innovative Educator: Why I Let My Kids Have an Internet PresenceLisa Nielsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07759123507185453030noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-34171496880516898582012-03-14T17:43:37.095-04:002012-03-14T17:43:37.095-04:00Hi Tim! Yes, the real-life motivation is a wonderf...Hi Tim! Yes, the real-life motivation is a wonderful thing. It compels the kids to produce quality materials more than anything I could offer as a parent or teacher.<br /><br />How wonderful that you do this with your students! I love your insight and the success you've had. "Stepping up your game." Well said!Gwyn Ridenhourhttp://gwynridenhour.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-56745328538303051602012-03-14T17:40:18.867-04:002012-03-14T17:40:18.867-04:00Thanks Stephen! I guess I'm a half glass full ...Thanks Stephen! I guess I'm a half glass full kind of person. :)<br /><br />And you're very insightful. I'm pretty vigilant about media consumption and am more strict than most parents about that kind of thing. I'm not saying I do it better or worse than others; I just have pretty firm boundaries. I struggle with finding balance in my own computer use; there are so many wonderful articles to read and things to learn! But there is also life to be lived right here in the present. Media is a wonderful tool, and our family is together exploring how to make it an integral and enriching part of our lives without letting it take over. It's definitely a process.<br /><br />For now, given their age, I am pretty fierce about protecting the kids from negative feedback or comments. I don't allow comments on youtube or on their websites without prior approval by me, and I don't allow people to like or dislike youtube videos. I am a positive person by nature, and I want my kids to feel that their contributions are received positively as well. As in all things, this will morph as they get older. But for now, frankly, people are too quick to say hurtful or insensitive things online due to the convenience of anonymity, and I feel it's simpler to keep a tight reign on destructive comments.<br /><br />That's not to say that I shield my kids from constructive criticism; quite the opposite. I encourage this with plenty of discussion and help the kids absorb and use the feedback in the manner in which it is intended.Gwyn Ridenhourhttp://gwynridenhour.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-38731101392130582052012-03-14T17:26:44.716-04:002012-03-14T17:26:44.716-04:00kherbert: You can find Eva's videos at www.eva...kherbert: You can find Eva's videos at www.evaridenhour.com. Click on "writing lectures." She (and I) would be honored to have you show them to your students!Gwyn Ridenhourhttp://gwynridenhour.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-92164382246880347262012-03-14T17:05:44.369-04:002012-03-14T17:05:44.369-04:00I teach 2nd grade and would love to show my studen...I teach 2nd grade and would love to show my students Eva's work and video, but I can't find them with a google search.kherberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03282935413300573346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-5769603271537284602012-03-14T15:34:05.283-04:002012-03-14T15:34:05.283-04:00This is an interesting and well-considered perspec...This is an interesting and well-considered perspective; thank you for sharing the true benefits rather than just countering the negatives. <br /><br />I think your choice is reflective of your children's real motivations. Your children aren't just 'hanging out' and consuming media, but rather, they are producing content and being open to feedback and community involvement. I imagine people's resistance to letting their children have online presence is more a reflection of their child's real world behaviour—and what they believe is possible—than a fear for their child's safety. <br /><br />I would be interested to hear how your children react to negative feedback or comments (both constructive and destructive), and how you are able to demonstrate/teach etiquette in the face of conflict.Stephen Abbotthttp://reallycooldad.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-4877978847156007452012-03-14T07:51:44.471-04:002012-03-14T07:51:44.471-04:00All of your points are great reasons for students ...All of your points are great reasons for students to be present on the web but I've found the one about real-life motivation for quality work to be most compelling. When I work with classes on blogging projects, the kids are usually excited and engaged (I suspect because it's totally different from "normal").<br /><br />However, we see a noticeable improvement in their research and writing after they receive their first comments from people outside of the class, especially people they don't directly know. More often than not the commenters are parents, other relatives, or class "friends" but it doesn't matter. Writing for a larger audience provides great motivation to "step up your game" (as explained to me by one eighth grader).Tim Stahmerhttp://www.assortedstuff.comnoreply@blogger.com