Dear Students and Parents s3

Dear Students and Parents: For students and teachers, technology can be a double-edged sword. There are countless benefits that can be garnered from using technology: computers can be used to do research, read texts, play academic games, and improve language skills. We are able to keep in touch throughout the day and receive updates. Television Chanel sites and YouTube can offer educational segments such as documentaries and lectures online. Even videogames can encourage developmental skills such as hand-eye coordination (and some motion-controlled active games on the Wii or Xbox with Kinect can promote physical activity – just try Just Dance). But all these electronic devices can also have some distinct disadvantages as well. I am not opposed to technology and it can be a useful tool in the classroom. Your student will be publishing his/her writings on a wiki space and will be submitting all essays via Blackboard. However, I do have rules about the presence and use of technology during my instructional time. In an effort to eliminate the constant distraction of texts and updates during our time together, each student must place his/her cell phone in a container that is located on his/her desk upon entering the classroom. Students will still be in possession of their devices, but they will not be in their laps, pockets, or purses during class time. When we use our cell phone technology capabilities during class, we are distracted from the academic task at hand and we are not interacting together. Having technology interrupt your student’s focus and cut into those moments is something I want to prevent as much as possible. While it can be fun to keep up with the latest gossip and receive smiley face kisses from mom or dad throughout the school day, the fact is that more screen time means less focus from your students and less face-to-face interaction time during my 57 minutes of instruction. I hope that this will help your student be able to focus and better participate in the dialogue of our classroom. Please review this policy with your son and/or daughter and understand that refusing to follow the technology policy of our class will result in disciplinary action and will only distract him/her from the exciting academic endeavors that lie ahead. I appreciate your support. Sincerely,

Maggie Walls

[email protected] thewallsofenglish.wikispaces.com