Thursday, February 17, 2011
Copyright Laws in the Educational Sphere
It seems incredible to me that there is such an infringement of copyright laws in the education system and most teachers are unaware of it! I imagine the responses from educators when learning of their misuse are full of outrage, puzzlement and incredulity. So why aren't we more aware? Isn't it our primary responsibility to set examples for our students and our peers? Yet we can't concentrate on our teaching while simultaneously brushing up on our copyright knowledge. I really think this issue should be addressed more actively in the colleges and universities. We've only received a glimpse of the reality of these laws in this class, shouldn't it be required that we have a better working knowledge of what we can and cannot do as teachers?
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
The Digital You: Attenion, Multitasking and Addiction (PBS - Digital Nation)
After reviewing this section I was intrigued at how varied the perspectives are on multitasking and whether or not constant Internet usage is addicting and harmful or stimulating and educational. I can understand the frustration educators must feel about losing the total attention of their students during class due to their ability to be constantly "plugged in". However, I agree with the opinions of students at MIT that not only will multitasking be required of them in the work force, but it is a skill they are much more comfortable with than older generations. It seems easier for them to grasp main ideas during a lecture while simultaneously accessing various sites and chatting with friends.
I think our school systems are working towards becoming more accepting of incorporating technology into everyday education, but the constant struggle to control and discipline student use is counterproductive. Instead of always focusing on what students should not be doing with their phones, blackberries and ipods, teachers should think about how to incorporate individual technologies into everyday lessons and assignments. Every student comes to school with access to the Internet in their pocket so why not use it instead of lamenting about how the school budget can't afford to supply personal computers for everyone? If teachers and administrators created ways to accept and utilize technology that students already have into their curriculum the results could be surprisingly advantageous. And while the concern is that inappropriate use that could harm students, maybe focus needs to be put on raising responsible, technologically proficient students from a very young age. It seems a battle already lost when discipline and punitive measures are put before education and responsibility.
I think our school systems are working towards becoming more accepting of incorporating technology into everyday education, but the constant struggle to control and discipline student use is counterproductive. Instead of always focusing on what students should not be doing with their phones, blackberries and ipods, teachers should think about how to incorporate individual technologies into everyday lessons and assignments. Every student comes to school with access to the Internet in their pocket so why not use it instead of lamenting about how the school budget can't afford to supply personal computers for everyone? If teachers and administrators created ways to accept and utilize technology that students already have into their curriculum the results could be surprisingly advantageous. And while the concern is that inappropriate use that could harm students, maybe focus needs to be put on raising responsible, technologically proficient students from a very young age. It seems a battle already lost when discipline and punitive measures are put before education and responsibility.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Second time around...
This is the second time I am taking this class and let me say I did not see that coming when I first started blogging in the Fall. Yet, here I am with the same goals as last time; to do well and learn as much as possible about all the various programs and technologies that I can use as an educator. It was overwhelming last semester and it still overwhelms me now when I think how fast technology evolves. My students will have grown up already knowing a language I am still struggling to comprehend! Still, it can't be much different than teaching students in a foreign country. If I stick with it long enough I should reach a point where I'm no longer just "keeping up".
Truthfully, it was a relief when I did realize that I needed to take this class again. Knowing what to expect has cut my apprehension in half. What I hope to achieve in this class is a level of confidence in my technology skills that I can display to both my students and employers. I also want to develop the habit of completing assignments early so that I can really apply my thoughts to my work. Sounds simple right? Well recently someone told me that the world is full of missed deadlines and I have contributed to truth of that statement more than my fair share! So I hope to become a consistent contributor to this class and prove to myself that I can be the kind of student who takes care of business.
Truthfully, it was a relief when I did realize that I needed to take this class again. Knowing what to expect has cut my apprehension in half. What I hope to achieve in this class is a level of confidence in my technology skills that I can display to both my students and employers. I also want to develop the habit of completing assignments early so that I can really apply my thoughts to my work. Sounds simple right? Well recently someone told me that the world is full of missed deadlines and I have contributed to truth of that statement more than my fair share! So I hope to become a consistent contributor to this class and prove to myself that I can be the kind of student who takes care of business.
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