late majority...or laggard?

So, I was apprehensive about this class, and the use of technology. I cannot say yet that I am completely convinced. I am not sure if this makes me a late majority or a laggard. Part of me feels like I am being dragged in a direction I am not sure I want to go, but maybe it is good for me, like kale and broccoli. I understand the argument that as teachers we need to prepare our kids for a future where through the internet of things has every aspect of their lives connected to a web. On one hand, this in an exciting opportunity to be part of a truly global community. On the other hand, is being so connected such a great thing? Maybe this is just my ‘introvertedness’ talking, but I do not want everyone knowing everything about me all the time, nor do I want to know everything about them at every moment. What happened to getting together and catching up. It seems like the art of sitting and having a conversation is being lost. I heard something the other day that struck a cord- have we become a society where we value a person’s personality over a person’s character? I have loved ones where their whole being is tied into how many likes they receive, or are arguing with complete strangers and in the anonymity of the internet saying things that one would never say in person. I guess it comes down to this- in a world of the internet, how do you be a person of character, connection, and compassion? 

There were several things that I liked that we talked about in class that I loved. Like mind blown loved. The variety of ways that you can create community in your classroom and school with google docs. I was thrilled to see that you can dictate to a google word doc and it will transcribe for you. Then to top it all off, what you dictated can be translated! As a teacher who could be working with parents where English may not be their first language- what a great tool for making connections. I also loved learning about how to effectively use Wikipedia in the classroom. The possibility of having kids find subjects they love and providing content for the site is a great way of having them engaged and responsible. I look forward to learning more strategies on how to teach kids to be responsible with their information on the internet.