New media...New Learning

After reading the MacArthur report on Digital Media and Learning as well as the blog post on the report, I have a new outlook on this 'new media.' I have always considered myself to be an open-minded educator. I'm open to whatever will help engage my students in their learning. One thing I haven't considered is how these social networks and instant messaging is helping them to learn from one another. Students who have difficulty reading have myspaces pages that they have set up with so much creative thought. Kids are teaching each other and working cooperatively to set up these pages. They are able to maintain and sustain relationship through these social networks. They are following steps necessary to upload photos and video. Following multiple step directions is something that my students struggle with in school yet they are able to follow directions with this new media.
Now i don't agree with teenagers having access to this new media but I now understannd that are some positive effects of this new media. I struggle with how to incorporate this new media in my classroom. I wish that there was more professional development offered to guide me. Until the board of education sees that this new media has its benefits none will be provided. How can we intergrate this new media in our classrooms when teachers and parents are expected to restrict kids from using them.
As educators we have to become more knowledgable of this new media. I myself am a memeber of a social network. Being a member of this network I am able to collaborate with others. I'm learning things about the web that I didn't know or understand before. I know that I have to evolve with the times. I want and need to understand this new media because I need to know what my child is being exposed to. I am guilty of preventing my daughter to have access to this new media. Am I preventing her from having access because of my fear of the negative effects or my insecurties about my knowledge of this new media?