I have to admit that when I saw this class on our course schedule I was not, to say the least very excited about taking it. Number 1 is was a technology class, and number two, it was an online class. But I will have to admit that besides my classroom management class, this is the best class I have taken in this cohort. Just like the classroom management class there are things that I can use imidiately and not file away and never look at again. One of the first things that I did was change some of my passwords. Yes I am one of those people who used the same password for everything. If someone found out what it was they would have almost complete access to everything that I do online, weather it was banking, shopping, school work, or email, the password was the same.
The second thing that I took for this class is how to talk to my students about internet safety without sounding like an old fuddy duddy. I will be teaching 7th graders and I know that most of my students spend half or more of their free time either IMing, or online somehow, hormones are raging and things are said that shouldn't. I don't know why, but I do feel that I can talk to my students more confidently about their use of technology. I plan to have the ethics book for kids in my class where the students have easy access to it.
I have truly enjoyed this class. It wasn't as hard or daunting as I thought it would be. Thank you Mark for making this a very enjoyable class for a technology phobic like me.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Monday, July 14, 2008
Thoughts on ICEK
I really enjoyed reading Internet and Computer Ethics for Kids for many reasons. I enjoyed the fact that it was an easy read, but mostly because I could understand what the author was saying. There weren't too many technical jargon that I needed a computer expert to translate. I can easily see how this book can fit into the computer class that our students are required to take. The current curriculum is focused on learning programs, but not necessarily the ethics of the Internet and computers. I am actually thinking about showing this book to our tech coordinator and maybe convince to add ethics to the computer class.
I wouldn't just give this book to kids and say hey read it and tell me what you think. I think weather it is used at home or at school, the book needs to be read aloud and discussed as a group. The author does a great job of posing great questions at the end of each chapter. Questions that can lead to great discussions and deeper level of thinking. This book would be great for kids grades 3-7. I don't think the older students would take it as seriously. They might laugh at the simplicity of the messages and the pictures. They would think they were too cool for cutesy things like that.
I really like how the author at the end of the book really drove home the point that it was up to parents to talk their kids about Internet and computer ethics and safety. Parents think that it is the school's responsibility because it is the school's job to educate their children. Parents didn't really grow up with computer in the home and use it like kids are using them today, but they have to realize that it is a dangerous tool if not used properly. So just like how the "police" their children's fashion choice, they need to "police" their children's computer usage.
I wouldn't just give this book to kids and say hey read it and tell me what you think. I think weather it is used at home or at school, the book needs to be read aloud and discussed as a group. The author does a great job of posing great questions at the end of each chapter. Questions that can lead to great discussions and deeper level of thinking. This book would be great for kids grades 3-7. I don't think the older students would take it as seriously. They might laugh at the simplicity of the messages and the pictures. They would think they were too cool for cutesy things like that.
I really like how the author at the end of the book really drove home the point that it was up to parents to talk their kids about Internet and computer ethics and safety. Parents think that it is the school's responsibility because it is the school's job to educate their children. Parents didn't really grow up with computer in the home and use it like kids are using them today, but they have to realize that it is a dangerous tool if not used properly. So just like how the "police" their children's fashion choice, they need to "police" their children's computer usage.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Ethics of technology chapter 6
I love the idea of online voting! I know that the cons out weighs the cons, but wouldn't it be great if we really could do it without all the risks. I bet you so many people would vote, especially with this technology minded generation. Hey the politicians are blogging, having their websites, and using technology to reach the younger generation. If voting were online do you know how many 18 year olds would actually get off their butts (they would be seating down) and vote?! It is a nice idea, but their are too many people out there with too much time on their hands that would come up with a virus, worm, whatever and mess up the whole system. I don't want some hacker to figure out a way to change my vote without my knowledge or figure out a way to cast multiple votes for a candidate. Oh well online voting is a great idea, but I don't think I will see it in my life time and I plan to live for another 70 years. 100 years on this planet is plenty.
Ethics of Technology Chapter 5
The issue of privacy is one that you will think is a right that every one has. Everyone has that need for privacy and it is not something that springs up at a certain age, even children as young as one have a need for privacy, it might not be at blatant as the young teenager closing his bedroom door and putting the do not enter sign up, but even young kids every once in a while want to do something by themselves. Reading this chapter really opened my eyes as to how much privacy I don't have, but then again do I really want a lot of privacy. Yes I don't want my health records broad casted out there just to be used against me like the case in Maryland, I don't want income information or my social security info out there for anyone to use for their benefit, but I also don't want to be shut out from society that when I am in distress my neighbors won't know until it is too late, because they don't want to intrude.
Privacy does have its harms and benefits. I am a teacher so I can't go blowing off steam about kids and parents at school, but when I get home I want to feel that I can vent to my husband and not be afraid that somebody is bugging my house and recording the conversation that I am having with my husband and use it against me. If I didn't feel like I had the ability to vent freely and from prying eyes and ears, then I think I would explode or go crazy. You have to be able to vent and let off steam in private or else we will have more cases of people killing each other in the work place.
I do feel bad for celebrities. I know that they are in the public eye, but they have every right to their privacy. I don't understand the "reporters" that go to great lengths to capture the scope or the photographs of these poor people. Don't they realize the harm they are doing, especially when there are children involved. The case of Princess Diana is the saddest case of the paparazzi going too far. Celebrities have the right to go skinny dipping in their backyard as much as I do. Now if I don't have a high fence surrounding the pool, then it is no longer a matter of privacy, but that is another story. Warren and Brandeis said it when they said that people have the right to be left alone.
But on the other hand, some people should not be left alone because they can cause great harm when they are left alone. It is a fine line... I do have serious issues with the patriot act because I do feel that it gives the federal government too much power, but then again after 9-11 there are certain safety measures that need to be taken. I just wish that people with all that power would use it more wisely. Bradon Mayfield should never have been arrested. Looking at the evidence against him a second grader could have come up with with that conclusion. But at least he became two million dollars richer for it.
I still go back and forth with the issue of privacy and the involvement of government. I understand the need to make citizens safer, but at what cost?
Privacy does have its harms and benefits. I am a teacher so I can't go blowing off steam about kids and parents at school, but when I get home I want to feel that I can vent to my husband and not be afraid that somebody is bugging my house and recording the conversation that I am having with my husband and use it against me. If I didn't feel like I had the ability to vent freely and from prying eyes and ears, then I think I would explode or go crazy. You have to be able to vent and let off steam in private or else we will have more cases of people killing each other in the work place.
I do feel bad for celebrities. I know that they are in the public eye, but they have every right to their privacy. I don't understand the "reporters" that go to great lengths to capture the scope or the photographs of these poor people. Don't they realize the harm they are doing, especially when there are children involved. The case of Princess Diana is the saddest case of the paparazzi going too far. Celebrities have the right to go skinny dipping in their backyard as much as I do. Now if I don't have a high fence surrounding the pool, then it is no longer a matter of privacy, but that is another story. Warren and Brandeis said it when they said that people have the right to be left alone.
But on the other hand, some people should not be left alone because they can cause great harm when they are left alone. It is a fine line... I do have serious issues with the patriot act because I do feel that it gives the federal government too much power, but then again after 9-11 there are certain safety measures that need to be taken. I just wish that people with all that power would use it more wisely. Bradon Mayfield should never have been arrested. Looking at the evidence against him a second grader could have come up with with that conclusion. But at least he became two million dollars richer for it.
I still go back and forth with the issue of privacy and the involvement of government. I understand the need to make citizens safer, but at what cost?
Monday, June 30, 2008
The 411 on One-to-One Computing
This article was very interesting. I guess deep down I am an old fashioned person. I just don't see the need to have kids carry all this hand help technology and have with them 24/7. Just stick with the good old PC that is plugged to the wall. I guess I feel this way because I see so many adults with their blackberries and palm pilots and they are addicted to those things. They don't know how to interact with humans because they are with machines all day long. I saw this special on 60 minutes on how Americans are overworking themselves thanks to technology. You can't even take a vacation or a honeymoon without someone from work being able to get a hold of you because you have a blackberry or iphone. I just don't see the need to start doing the same to our students. It will be their reality when they get out into the real world.
Technology in the Schools: It Does Make a Difference!
To be fair to the technology advocates, I decided to read this article so that I don't have a one sided view about technology. I read this article with an open mind, expecting valid arguments as to why computers are needed in schools, what I found instead was an article that seemed to be arguing for the other side. The article said that technology works in schools and improves learning and test scores if...
Honestly how many schools in the US can meet all three requirements adequately to have great technology programs. The biggest problem is that teachers are not trained to use this software and technology. We simply are not trained, but are expected to use them and turn our kids into overnight success stories. In an ideal world technology would work seamlessly in the educational setting, but the reality is most schools are lucky to meet just one of those three criterion's.
- The software used was carefully selected as an educational supplement integrated into a well thought-out program of classroom instruction. Technology was one important tool among many; teachers taught concepts and then used technology to reinforce, enhance, and elaborate on that instruction.
- Teachers received ample training and support in using the software.
- Students had ready access to up-dated software and well-functioning computers.
Honestly how many schools in the US can meet all three requirements adequately to have great technology programs. The biggest problem is that teachers are not trained to use this software and technology. We simply are not trained, but are expected to use them and turn our kids into overnight success stories. In an ideal world technology would work seamlessly in the educational setting, but the reality is most schools are lucky to meet just one of those three criterion's.
Technology in Schools: Some Say It Doesn't Compute!
"children's expectation that learning must be entertaining and their failure to use all their senses or to become active learners;" This is the biggest point the article can be made concerning why technology in schools doesn't compute. I honestly think that students have forgotten or don't want to learn how to think for themselves. They want the information and answer given to them because thinking on their own takes too long and it is not as easy as finding the answer online. I find myself yelling at the kids to think and that they can do it. When they finally do believe me that they can figure out the solution, the expression on their faces is priceless when they discover that they have the brain power to think. Even before the technology issue was a big deal, calculators were as high tech as you got, I made my students work out the problems instead of using the calculator to help them.
It is a shame the amount of money put into upgrading the technology in schools today. Just think what greater good for the schools that money could be used for. Hiring more teachers to make the classrooms less crowded, hiring SPED help and resources, improving the PE curriculum to combat the obesity issue. Purchase better and updated textbooks. the list could go on and on, but you get the point. The money spent on upgrading the technology can be put to better use.
It is a shame the amount of money put into upgrading the technology in schools today. Just think what greater good for the schools that money could be used for. Hiring more teachers to make the classrooms less crowded, hiring SPED help and resources, improving the PE curriculum to combat the obesity issue. Purchase better and updated textbooks. the list could go on and on, but you get the point. The money spent on upgrading the technology can be put to better use.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
