Salon #5: Are Free Tools Worth the Price?

In this salon, we discussed the accessibility of free web 2.0 tools that we often use with our students and the negative aspects that may come with the "free" territory. Many of us discussed how our students are using these web 2.0 tools and how they may be exposed to unnecessary advertisements and the lack of censorship. In response to this salon, I created an anonymous questionnaire for my students (ages 14-17) to complete as honestly as possible. Student responses were surprising. Many of the students said that they appreciate the use of web 2.0 tools because many have access to the Internet over expensive software. Most agreed that they are learning basic navigation skills and computer skills that put them a step above their peers when they learn how to use these tools in the classroom. Most also agreed that if the web 2.0 is functional enough, they would probably have learned it without the guidance of the teacher. About 90 percent in this particular group said that they were exposed to gambling or x-rated pop-ups when navigating the web (for personal use). Ninety percent of this group has received advertising junk emails, some of sexual nature. Eighty percent are actively involved in social networking sites and have engaged in arguments with friends and strangers on these sites. Thirty percent of students know someone that has sent or seen nudity of a peer on the Internet. Eighty percent of students despise the "block" the school Internet has to protect them from these sites. It seems the students want the freedom to explore the Internet, but it becomes obvious (if it wasn't already) that students need to educated on how to protect themselves on the Internet, especially when using free web 2.0 tools.