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Digital literacy and the "Middle Way". (Teaching Mindfully).

Article Excerpt
While contemporary teachers are expected to encourage students to learn how to use the internet, email, and streaming discussions (electronic bulletin boards), these forms of communication can also erode mutual respect between students and teachers. Instant communication by email and relatively anonymous communication in class chat rooms or streaming discussions may tempt students to express hostilities toward their teachers that are seldom articulated in person. As a teacher, it can be difficult not to react with resentment toward the student when such a missive is received.

The "Middle Way" taught by Buddha may be helpful as we consider how to use electronic communications in our courses and student relationships. According to Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai's 1995 edition of The Teaching of Buddha, Buddha's Middle Way avoided the extremes of asceticism and indulgence: Three ways of practice lead to the Noble Eightfold Path,...

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