INTERNET’S INFLUENCE TO LEARNERS’ EDUCATION

ANNABELL T. TURLA

Witnessing the many technological advancements, most kids have become more interested in the social media than in anything else in the world at this day and age. I see it on my own kids spending time browsing the internet almost forgot to do other chores in the house. The internet has robbed us of children playing in the streets and has replaced them with kids focused on their gadgets. Over the years, I have learned to cope with the changes in my very own children, and have learned that these kids are also facing their own struggles with all the new things the world offers them - they need help. As adults, we have to guide them. Basically, they need to be educated. They have to learn that more than a gadget there are more important things to give more time.

Classes have started, and I have made a resolution not to go gaga over why kids submit projects they grabbed from internet sources and/ or when they discuss things as if they're older than they actually are. I have decided that because we can't force kids to mature, adults must adopt their youth instead. So, as a teacher, it is just right to guide them through the course of their learning and make them realize that the books, the classroom, and us are still their best friend towards learning. It doesn't mean I'm consenting their act plagiarism act (copying projects without citing the source is wrong in so many levels), and their over-obsession with technology - it is just that now, I am more prepared to deal with how technology and classroom learning sometimes clashes. Since we can't stop the growing influence of the internet in our children, we must begin to utilize it for their benefit.

It would be hypocrite of me to say that the internet has not been helpful to teachers because it has. For so many years, we have also relied on it for additional information; for easy access illustrations for our learning aids; even for contacting the parents of our students their concerns. I realized that if children are guided well, they don't become the kids we're afraid they'll be. I hope my colleagues have the same realization and learn to also use technology at their advantage. I have, and on the first day of classes I had a fit of laughter and a lot of explaining to do when I caught all my students' attention because on the board I wrote: "Bae, learn."

--oOo-

The author is Teacher II at Lauc Pao Elementary School, Lubao West District