EDvancenet

Moderated by Shelley Pasnik

Responses

Post Response

Message Board

FAQ

Message

Subject: National Debate: Leaders Absent?
Posted By: Peter Grunwald
Date: April 04, 2000 at 13:40:31

So far, the national dialogue about effects of the Internet on children has been dominated by the extremes. Alarmists point to all the dangers presented by the Internet, and to the net’s supposed isolating effects on users. Cheerleaders focus exclusively on the net’s potential for learning and community-building, and often seem naive. The reality is probably in between, which suggests that educational leaders can – and should – shape the debate.

But many educational influencers, especially on the state level, don’t seem to be engaging in the thoughtful discussion suggested by NSBF in its guidelines. State leaders are certainly absent in this forum. Seems to me their absence may mean the Internet debate will continue lurching between the two extremes, which won’t help kids. Maybe my perceptions are distorted by being too close to the NSBF study......Anyone out there want to show I’m wrong?

Responses Posted

Re: National Debate: Leaders Absent? Geoff Fletcher, April 04, 2000 (1)
- Re: National Debate: Leaders Absent? Peter Grunwald, April 05, 2000 (0)

Post A Response

* Denotes required field

* Name:
Your e-mail (optional):
* Subject
Link URL:
Link Title: (required if link URL entered)
Image URL: (image will be placed above your message)
* Comments: > So far, the national dialogue about effects of the Internet on children has been dominated by the extremes. Alarmists point to all the dangers presented by the Internet, and to the net’s supposed isolating effects on users. Cheerleaders focus exclusively on the net’s potential for learning and community-building, and often seem naive. The reality is probably in between, which suggests that educational leaders can – and should – shape the debate. > But many educational influencers, especially on the state level, don’t seem to be engaging in the thoughtful discussion suggested by NSBF in its guidelines. State leaders are certainly absent in this forum. Seems to me their absence may mean the Internet debate will continue lurching between the two extremes, which won’t help kids. Maybe my perceptions are distorted by being too close to the NSBF study......Anyone out there want to show I’m wrong?