Adventurers Team 

Team teachers Pam Wise / Joplin James

M.I.T. PROFESSOR RECONSIDERS CHILDREN'S ONLINE LIVES

    Sherry Turkle, a professor of Science, Technology and Society at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology believes that computers have ushered in "a fundamental reconsideration of human identity." But unlike the academics who criticize the fractured, non-linear experience of Internet life, Turkle finds the fluidity of online identity to be healthy. She argues that "parents need to recognize that otherwise, these kids would be alone. Online communities provide ample, new and exciting spaces for adolescents to explore identity, be happy or sad, get mad, act out -- all in a relatively consequence-free environment." In addition, Turkle suggests that the "dark side" of the Internet can provide opportunities to for parents to discuss necessary but difficult issues - such as sexuality and prejudice - with their children. [SOURCE: New York Times (Online), AUTHOR: Margaret Goldsborough] (http://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/13/technology/14EDUCATION.html)

(requires registration) From Benton Foundation List-serv  about practical strategies and materials by which teacher education

faculty and K-12 educators can reduce the digital divide in their classrooms and communities. This forum is moderated by Joy Wallace (joywallace@home.com) and is sponsored by the National Institute for Community Innovations (NICI) in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Education. To send a message to fellow Digital Equity Forum members, please address your message to digital-equity@nici-mc2.org. For more information about NICI's mission, goals and initiatives

please contact Dr. Robert McLaughlin at mclaughb@nici-mc2.org or (802) 223-0463.

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Last updated: July 18, 2003