To infinity and beyond

                             I have recently read information about how difficult it will be in the Info Age to restrict student's learning sources to a sanctioned body of literature. I know this is the case, and it has been frustrating for me in the past few years as I struggle to find a balance between books and static handouts and the Internet resources for class lessons. I realize the necessity to blend a student's educational experience in school with the reality of their interest and participation in technology outside of school. Each year, I make a few baby steps in  the direction of using more Internet to enhance my world language program. Although, I don't believe that shoving a computer in front of kid's faces every day is the way to go, I know that they are ready, willing, and able to use more digital technology and Internet during class. Just today, I had a student tell me that he had learned the numbers in Spanish up to 100, when I only required them to learn to 20 for the next few upcoming lessons.  I believe that I may possibly have facilitated this progression towards..... infinity.  Instead of providing students with a hand out of the numbers information, I told them that if they needed more practice, than they could use the Internet as a source for the numbers information. He did so, and is now way ahead of the game.  I am going to invite students to use the internet this year for many of the thematic lessons that we will cover in class. I think it is important for them to see that Internet information resources are welcome in my class for many different purposes. Along with the other technology that I use in class, I am hoping that this will build more bridges for students,  as I struggle to learn more about digital writing and reading resources and bring them to the students in my class. Continuing in this direction for students may mean a lot more work in accommodating differentiation for students, but I do believe it will enhance learning for many students. I'd better brush up on my math skills, no....... wait, the Internet will take them to infinity...and beyond. It's the beyond that I worry about.