I really appreciated Richardson’s views on how school districts often have such a long list of don’ts regarding computer use that it makes difficult to find and utilize the unending resources available to teachers and students. I had to request that the Arizona Board of Nursing website be unblocked for my use, and justify why I needed it unblocked for students. It is a government sight.

Teaching healthcare, I require the students to research diseases, most of which you have to find a path around the blocks in order to find what you need. (IE cancer of the breast instead of breast cancer….breast is on the blocked list.)

A list of do’s rather than don’t would be such a positive way to greet our students, and set the feeling tone for the year ahead. ‘Do use our network to connect to other students who share your passions with whom you can learn. Do use our network to explore your passions, to ask questions and seek answers. Do use our network to collaborate with others in meaningful, positive ways.’ I will try a new approach.

Regarding the Obama speech, I would again have to agree. I think we really did our students disservices by not allowing them to watch or listen to our President speak. I may not agree with the man, and may not have voted for him, but he is still the man that we put into office. How can we teach our students respect if we vote him in and then block his speeches because we fear that he is manipulating and brainwashing our children? Really?

We missed an opportunity to teach our students that the person we put into office deserves respect, whether we agree or not. We missed an opportunity to allow debate between our students-the opportunity to teach them to think for themselves, and that they have the freedom to do that and express their thoughts. The election of Obama was a historic moment, and we block this from our history classes.