Exploring the "Digital Realm"...New Media

During our discussion on “New Media” as well as our conversations with Matt, I began to make a connection between the role of a journalist and the role of a student. The statement that impacted me the most was, “Students have a story that they need to tell.” As educators, we often overlook the fact that students are individuals who also have a voice. Being a successful educator involves recognizing and listening to students various interests. Integrating the use of “New Media” into the classroom environment provides students with a method of achieving their goals through communicating their thoughts, ideas, and opinions in a creative manner.

While generating a list of the possible “harms” and “benefits” of utilizing “New Media” in the classroom, I found myself focusing more on the positive aspects. As a fifth grade teacher, I’ve discovered how much students rely on the Internet and other digital resources. It is the students who do not have a computer, cell phone, or IPOD that are considered to be “different” and out of touch with “reality”. Since it is evident that students are constantly exploring the latest advances in the digital realm, it is imperative that teachers serve as models to assist students in becoming self-sufficient navigators of “New Media”.

I am not denying for a second, that there are multiple dangers present out there. Allowing students to have the freedom to access and communicate with a “global audience” has implications of them encountering “strangers” and an “unknown universe”. Students also have the ability to access information and explore alternative viewpoints.

My question is… “Is this actually a bad thing?”

In my school, I have been fortunate enough to have access to individual lap tops that the students can utilize in the classroom. We engage in multiple activities and lessons that involve exploring and navigating the Internet. The students are frequently researching and locating multiple sources of information for in-class and at-home projects. The librarian/media-specialist works directly with the teachers creating assignments that will connect media in the classroom with their experiences in library class. I also provide the students and parents with a list of helpful and "kid-friendly" websites that they can go on together at home. I have developed a class website that serves as an interactive newsletter between the students, parents, and myself. Since I am aware of the various types of "New Media" that my students are interacting with, I make it a point to introduce them to safety techniques. Therefore, I can be reassured that they are making new discoveries while taking the knowledge of "New Media" safety with them if they encounter any unknown situations.

If we instruct students on “New Media” and warn them of the dangers that exist, they will grow and develop the confidence necessary to explore, examine, and evaluate what they are viewing, listening, and reading. During class, Matt stressed how imperative it is for a journalist to research, get to know background information about the source, and utilize multiple sources. Similar to these strategies, students should be encouraged to do the same thing as efficient readers and writers. Becoming aware of critical literacy, requires students to understand, analyze, and evaluate “the source”. It is the students who can develop their own position and take a stance, that will explore their identity and sense of self. In turn, students will become independent thinkers and fully-functioning members of our rapidly changing society.