Final thoughts

Children need to be given the chance to learn the tools and resources we use today. I argue for fewer limitations in schools and to let children be themselves. Technology is everywhere so children should be able to take advantage of it. Lets allow them to explore their resources productively and efficiently. Every child is a unique individual, and if schools had less limitations they will be able to be creative through the use of the internet.

Copyright issues on children utilizing the internet

The initial reason for my blog site was to discuss the controversial issue of the limitations on internet access in schools; nonetheless, this raises a very important topic concerning copyright issues.

If children are utilizing the internet in schools as an educational resource it may cause a problem with copyright. For instance, if children use YouTube as a resource to upload and share information to their peers they are facing copyright issues. According to the Digital Material Copyright Act (DMCA) summary under section 512 it “limits the liability of service providers in circumstances where the provider merely acts as a data conduit, transmitting digital information from one point on a network to another at someone else’s request” which states that the average person is liable for providing a copy of the original not the service provider. If a child is using YouTube to upload and share information with others they may be participating in copyright infringement. Children will be using the internet thinking they are using it for their educational and social advantage when in truth they are more than likely, as stated by the DMCA, to be breaking copyright laws.

First children are limited when it comes to internet access in schools and if they are given the opportunity to explore the internet they will then be confronted with copyright issues. What are we to do? A possible resolution to the topic would be to educate children in schools of copyright infringement when using the internet. By explaining to children of infringement they would be less likely to involve themselves in such circumstances, and by teaching children these matters they will be responsibly utilizing the internet. Therefore, this may possibly resolve the issue on children being limited on internet access in schools for the concerns of misbehavior and influences from the internet

No child is left behind!

The Institute of Play in New York is a new school in where children are able to be curious individuals by having hands on experience with technology, digital material, and internet access. It’s a well organized school offering programs where children are learning and having fun at the same time. What more can you ask for?

The programs challenge their students to think outside of the box and to be creative by assigning projects in where they all have to work together. Katie Salen who is the director of the institution has provided a school in where children are challenged to be the best that they can be. The institution offers programs, internships, and tools for children to learn and explore the resources. The main foundation of the school is to create a fun and comfortable environment in where children have a sense of freedom to be themselves and not feel restricted or limited to technology and internet access.

If children are given the ability to explore technology they will improve their social networking skills and education. The Digital Media and Learning foundation by John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur argue how children are not given the chance to learn through the use of technology. Technology and the internet should not be restricted upon children when they themselves do not fully understand what the resources provide. If there are millions of limitations on technology and internet access how are children suppose to learn how to navigate and use the tools? and that is why the institute of play and other foundations are offering programs for people to see that children need to be challenged and are bound to make mistakes. Who doesn't?

Are schools or children the problem?

Schools should be less concerned in preventing misbehavior and should focus their attention in teaching children to responsibly navigate the internet. Early teachings of productive and good behavior in schools may have positive long term effects on children. Schools want to shape each child into responsible and stable individuals and by teaching them proper behavior at an early age will assist them in being successful.

NSBA's daily weblog wrote an entry "Limited internet access at school, a service or disservice?" arguing the limited internet access in schools. The entry discusses how schools have high expectations from children on homework assignments. A child fortunate to have internet access at home will be able to provide sufficient information to his or her peers compared to a child who does not have internet access. The internet is a part of our everyday lives; however, not everyone is fortunate to have the access to it. Children are curious individuals who want to explore and instead of limiting internet access in schools they should be provided with the opportunity to learn more.

I agree to some extent with what schools are doing but many children are being prevented to explore their social network and education. The internet is here to stay and today’s education relies on it. Today’s society is merely focused on exposing a negative image, and the youngsters who are the future of this country are 1) corrupted by the media and the internet and or 2) prevented to explore the tools we rely on today. What are we to do? Its not a child's fault if he or she is curious in wanting to know more. I’m talking about children here! They are little explorers. The restrictions should not be made on children but on those who upload inappropriate sites, videos, or links. Am I right or am I right?

Internet access a beneficiary for children’s social networks and education

By having internet access children are able to explore and gain knowledge. A child may be able to provide valuable information to his or her peers by simply using the internet. Children can help one another and expand their social network. By allowing a less restrictive access to the internet children will be able to develop productive tasks educationally and socially. Restricting children will harm them in the long run. They are slowly falling behind in our new "technological" world.

Author Henry Jay Becker of “Who’s Wired and Who’s Not: Children’s Access to and Use of Computer Technology” discusses how low income and high income children are benefiting differently from the internet. Those who come from low income families may not have access to the internet whereas high income families do. With these differences schools should have fewer limitations. Children spend most of their days in school if they are not home; therefore, schools play a major role in their lives. Becker argues that schools should play a more productive role when it comes to internet access because of those students who are less fortunate. Education is not solely based on books and a teacher’s lesson plan. The internet is the future of education and schools should provide the benefits to children.

Restrictions on internet access in schools. Is this fair?

During my dance lecture this pass Tuesday I became very interested in blogging about education and social networks for children in schools. I contacted a good friend of mine who works in the San Fernando Valley as a teacher’s assistant for a middle school to find out if the school continues to restrict children on internet access. She explained that not only do children have a restriction but the faculty staff does as well. There is a code that can be broken and many of the children have been able to hack into the restricted websites. The schools faculty has to be constantly changing the codes to prevent all of the mischief.

I was curious to know the main reason for all of the restrictions and was told that many children go online to search a specific topic and come across inappropriate sites that are given by a search engine such as YouTube. A child may be interested in looking up a video on YouTube and is given 10 to 15 possible videos were 7 of the videos may have inappropriate scenes. We all know what these scenes may be!
Are schools wrong for wanting to create a safe and educational environment for children? Is the limitation on internet access in schools a productive or disruptive issue for children?

Newcomer!

I had originally created an account with another blog site but decided to continue my account with blogger sooooo I'm excited to get started!

My blog site will be my final dance project. I will be discussing topics mentioned in my dance class and would greatly appreciate feedback on my blog entries! so once I get started write, write, write on my page.

Well I pretty much want to write about how schools are not allowing students access to specific internet websites. Why? I’m sure many of us can take a wild guess as to why but do we really know the reason?

I will be relating many topics back to back so feel free to navigate other websites on my blog site!

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