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Research Report by Kelley Oorloff

Page history last edited by KelleyOorloff 10 years, 4 months ago

Research Report: How The Internet Benefits Children

 

By Kelley Oorloff, Letters From Felix: A Virtual Reality

 

 

Abstract

Marisa Beard argues thatthe Internet offers many benefits for children and teachers in the modern day classroom. Incorporating the Internet during everyday lessons, not only benefits the children, but gives teachers the opportunity to include more knowledge on the subject, instead of taking away from the school district’s curriculum. Using safe websites created for children, teachers can provide in depth information that books and articles don’t always provide. Interactive websites, which contain virtual places, gives many underprivileged children the opportunity to visit and interact as if they were physically present. The Internet is now seen as a positive and educational tool that allows children to not only learn, but as well as create their own web pages and blogs, where they can share information updated daily with their families and friends.

 

Description

Beard believes that incorporating the Internet in a classroom setting offers a vast amount of information. Including real life experiences with lectures, not only makes the classroom setting interesting, but also allows children to learn more with all that the Internet offers. Having children from different parts of the world learn about other students in complete opposite areas in the world is difficult in a classroom setting, but with the help of the internet these children can learn about the world with just a click of a button. With tours, museums, stores and much more information offered, children can learn about places and people with their classroom or on their own. Children can also learn how to write emails, to each other, to their teachers and to their family. Getting hands on experience with using the Internet, children can also print out their daily activities and use it as resources. Teachers can also use the Internet when they don’t have an answer to a question, as Beard states, “If a child asks a question that a teacher is unable to answer, the teacher can go to a predetermined "safe" site and search for the information”. This article offers insight into why the Internet is advantageous for children and does not hinder their development.  Not only do children benefit from the use of the Internet, but as well as teachers in a classroom setting. The author argues that the Internet benefits children by giving them access to many tools and resources.  While there are potential problems, they acknowledge, parents and teachers can protect their children in their exploration and learning. In general, the article concludes, the Internet allows many people to learn about many things as well as to socialize and be entertained.  Instead of restricting kids to books and newspapers, society should give them the opportunity to learn about the world right at their fingertips. This generation of children have grown up with iPads, computers and touch screen phones and teachers should use this to their advantage and allow children to explore and become knowledgeable with a vast amount of information, which is easy with the help of the Internet. The Internet allows students to involve themselves with real life experiences, that teachers cannot provide in a normal classroom setting.

 

Statement of Relevance

The Internet is a very controversial topic when it comes to children. Seen at opposite ends of the spectrum, an extremely helpful tool as well as a danger to them. This article relates and supports our project, by stating that, “One way to show children the world is through the Internet. Children can visit a variety of Internet sites that offer information about, as well as online tours of, farms, art museums, grocery stores, veterinary clinics, hospitals, and schools. Children can experience these places individually, in small groups, or as a whole class” (Beard). Our website, was created with the influence from the storybook, Letters to Felix. As a young girl’s stuffed bunny named Felix gets lost while she’s at the airport with her family, he then begins to travel the world writing letters to her at each of his stops. Using Felix as a muse, we created Ole, the gaucho inspired kitty. Instead of only writing letters to the readers, Ole uses the Internet and at each country he visits, he plots his points on a world map and then links information through numerous blogs about the culture, politics and people. At each country the children visits while on our website, they learn about the country’s flag, political information, the culture, fun facts and places of interest. As a young child that does not have the opportunity to visit these places, this website provides them the opportunity that allows them to ‘travel’ around the world and learn worldly information and see pictures from around the world in a safe environment. As well as gaining knowledge, the children have the opportunity to print out a passport and stamps at each place of interest, which not only informs them about traveling and learning, but as well as makes it a fun learning environment. What the article and our website relate to, is the ability to transport children around the world and give them information while at the comfort and safety of their own classroom or home. In addition to experiencing an online storybook, children now have the opportunity to learn valuable information about other countries. While the original storybook, informed children, the Internet expands the knowledge of a child by using pictures, sound clips and videos, instead of solely using hand drawn pictures. Internet safety is a main concern not only in the article, but as well as with our research group. As a problem seen by many adults, the Internet can be a scary place for adolescents. But if used in a safe environment and with the correct knowledge, the Internet can be seen as an advantageous tool, instead of a danger.

 

Resources

Beard, Marisa. "Internet Offers Benefits to Children and Classroom Teachers." WIU. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Nov. 2013. <http://www.wiu.edu/thecenter/articles/benefits.html>.

Christian Science Monitor, 20 July 2005. Web. 04 Nov. 2013. <http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0720/p09s02-coop.html>.

"Create and Publish Interactive Maps." Map Creator Online to Make a Map with Multiple Color Pins and Regions. Zee Source, 2005. Web. 16 Nov. 2013. <http://www.zeemaps.com/>.

"Kids and the Internet." Kids and the Internet. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Nov. 2013. <http://www.nap.edu/netsafekids/inter_kids.html>.

Thompson, Asha, Brianna Barriga, Andrea Liedloff, Nathalie Vera, Tiffany Park, Kelley Oorloff, and Michelle Ann. "Lettersfromfelix2013." Letters from Felix. English 149, 5 Nov. 2013. Web. 06 Nov. 2013. <http://lettersfromfelix2013.wordpress.com/wp-admin/>

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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