Harris Post

Harris (2000)

Some critics believe there’s no place for Internet projects in today’s world of high stakes testing and emphasis on student achievement. Harris in her 2000 article states against this criticism saying that, “it’s true that some Internet enriched learning activities seem disassociated from curriculum standards, we must remember that tools don’t constitute curriculum. Rather, tools should be used in service of students’ learning needs.” Harris believes that there are many ways that the Internet can help with projects in schools. Students can telecollaborate, as well as use the Internet for teleresearch. There are many kinds of learning activities that can meet curriculum standards while incorporating telecollaboration and teleresearch. Because there is not more time and/or space for additional technology in a student’s day at school, teachers need to use technology for their content. Harris says, “Fortunately, Internet tools and resources are not additions to our curricula; rather, they can be used as “instruments of construction.”” Projects need to have a combination of curricular goals, telecollaborative activity structures, as well as teleresearch purposes.

Basically, “if the testing instruments are reliable, valid, and matched to relevant curriculum standards, the benefits of such project-based learning should also be reflected in higher test scores.” The Internet/technology in curriculum-based ways not only directly addressed curriculum standars but can also do so in a time-efficient and learner-centered way.

I think technology/Internet in the classroom is a must. As stated in the article, technology is “student-centered, active, problem-based, multi-modal, and interdisciplinary.” I support Harris, especially everything we have learned in this class.