The use of internet in the classroom helps develop a students’ understanding of diversity. It allows children to reach a world beyond the one that they see each and every day, and promotes global awareness. I teach at a Title One school where a large percentage of families are living in poverty. My students do not necessarily have a wide variety of real world experiences. The internet changes that. I continuously expose them to the “World Wide Web”, where opportunities are endless. My students can have a respect for diversity through the internet, as they research through child-friendly websites like Pebblego and have access to books that their families may not have at home through sites like Raz-Kids. We currently live in a society that is digitally driven, and our experiences in everyday life are not necessarily the only ones that we base our opinions and viewpoints off of. Using the Internet in the classroom helps expose children to multiple cultures and ways of life, expanding horizons and sparking inspiration.
Blogging affects the way we communicate and collaborate beyond traditional means. It opens communication up to parents, administrators, students, as well as the Web community. It allows teachers to share information about classroom/school happenings, upcoming events, curriculum, and provide families with resources. Blogs support communication that serves as more than just a paperless newsletter. It allows individuals to collaborate through various means. Podcasts, presentations, videos, and hyperlinks are all able to be shared through blogs. Student work can be shared with parents and the school environment, but this information is posted on the Web for individuals to view globally. This fosters world-wide communication. Blogging has increased in popularity over the past few years, and will continue to do so for years to come. As technology becomes more advanced, so will educational integration.