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I am thankful for the articulate expression of so many concerns regarding the use of the internet. It was helpful to be reminded that not everyone feels comfortable with the public nature of the internet. When I work with my students I find that I have to remind them that whatever they put out there is very public and forever. They think that it is anonymous undertaking. I was also glad to be reminded that not all schools have the resources to provide equal access to the internet.

I believe that it is important for teachers to engage with the available technology and influence its form and use. Because the internet is a powerful forum and I believe that teaching, at its core, is about helping kids find and expand their place in the wider social discourse--I see discovering the internet with students as an important part of my work.

Someone once told me that during the Civil War new photography technology was used primarily to record risque, pornographic images. If the medium had been avoided by those who saw other purposes and potentials because it was tainted by association, we would have lost a great new technology.

I also believe that it is really important for us to understand just how our students are using the new technology. The MacArthur Foundation Reports on Digital Media and Learning from November 2008 is one place to start. Flip ahead to the conclusions and implications section of the paper for a quick look at what kids are getting out of this wired world.