Copyright Infringement
At the very end of class today, a comment was made about copyright and intellectual property. For the sake of time, we did not discuss the comment further, but I think that the idea of copyright is one of the most important issues that will come up with increased use of technology, both in the classroom and everywhere. Teachers have always made light of copyright laws: Photocopying work sheets, recording videos from the library, etc., with the idea that breaking copyright law for the pursuit of education isn't that bad. Although it has always happened, the availability of materials and property on the Internet is so immense, that the scale on which copyright infringement is occurring is extraordinary. File-sharing networks, YouTube, easy access to images on Google: All of these resources can enhance education...while making teachers into criminals. Many teachers may use materials that they do not even realize have been illegally attained. They may use images in ways that the author/owner/creator did not intend, and mass distribute it to their students. The subject of intellectual property encompasses so much, including music, images, videos, all items that teachers can use to make their classes more stimulating and interesting to the 21st century child. The availability of materials on the Internet, and the new prospect of "sharing," which has really helped to define the Web 2.0 movement, is forcing legal minds and consumers to rething the idea of copyright. I am not sure what I think about it yet. I know that the amount of money that artists and creators can make on the Internet is enormous, and that stealing access, for whatever purpose, is still stealing. I also know, however, that the pursuit of education, and access to intellectual property, should be the intellectual freedom of every child. Hopefully, I will learn more about copyright law, in order to make sure that I am modelling the ethical use of Internet materials to my students, as well as to my colleagues.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Distance Education
At home and in class, we explored virtual schools and online education. There were many different advantages that jumped out at me as I was exploring the idea of distance education. For students who work or have demanding schedules for health or personal reasons, distance education could be a wonderful fit, as they could still work in a comprehensive education while maintaining their necessary schedule. Students who have anxiety problems or difficulty working in groups and need more of a transition into a school setting would not be faced with continuous interaction with students and teachers. Students who are in families that move around a lot would have access to a constant curriculum, which would help ensure that there were no gaps in their education due to switching schools. Students whose parents want them to be home-schooled, for whatever reason, would still have access to a standardized curriculum, lesson plans, and interactive group projects. Also, students who need a little more time to work on classwork would have it, which could be advantageous for students who learn at a slower pace.
There are, however, many disadvantages to distance education. As you can tell from its name, distance education has an inherent distance between students and teachers, and students and students. No matter how interactive the lessons are, there is no way to make students have the same level of face-to-face interactions that they would have in another school. Distance education may also have different standards than traditional school, which could make it more or less difficult for students. Standardized curriculum would be necessary to make sure that students are getting the same level of quality education.
In order to participate in a distance education program, students must have a strong sense of discipline, or a very involved parental guide (depending on the student's age). Remembering assignments and not procrastinating might be too strong of a temptation for some students when the constant reminders of teachers and classmates are taken away. Students must also have a working knowledge of technology and computer usage, as a student who does not understand how to use the computer could have a lot of difficulty representing themselves at their best.
In order to teach in a virtual school, teachers would also need to have a lot of background in computer usage and website design. Teachers would also need to have a strong dedication to connecting with their students, as the lack of face-to-face contact might make building connections difficult. Teachers, especially for the younger grades, may run into problems in recognizing student achievement and excellence, because distance takes away the ability to give vocal, instantaneous comments and compliments.
There are, however, many disadvantages to distance education. As you can tell from its name, distance education has an inherent distance between students and teachers, and students and students. No matter how interactive the lessons are, there is no way to make students have the same level of face-to-face interactions that they would have in another school. Distance education may also have different standards than traditional school, which could make it more or less difficult for students. Standardized curriculum would be necessary to make sure that students are getting the same level of quality education.
In order to participate in a distance education program, students must have a strong sense of discipline, or a very involved parental guide (depending on the student's age). Remembering assignments and not procrastinating might be too strong of a temptation for some students when the constant reminders of teachers and classmates are taken away. Students must also have a working knowledge of technology and computer usage, as a student who does not understand how to use the computer could have a lot of difficulty representing themselves at their best.
In order to teach in a virtual school, teachers would also need to have a lot of background in computer usage and website design. Teachers would also need to have a strong dedication to connecting with their students, as the lack of face-to-face contact might make building connections difficult. Teachers, especially for the younger grades, may run into problems in recognizing student achievement and excellence, because distance takes away the ability to give vocal, instantaneous comments and compliments.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Emerging Technologies in the Classroom
In my exploration of emerging technologies in the classroom, I explored Smart Boards, Google Earth 5.0, and the use of Wiki Pages. Smart Boards are interactive, touch-screen controlled boards that allow students and teachers to engage with class presentations with movement and visuals. They are created by Smart Technology, and more information can be found about them at this website: smarttech.com/ . Google 5.0 is the latest in the line of the Google Earth tools, and it allows students explore the surface of the Earth, including the ocean floor. Google Earth 5.0 allows students to "travel" throughout the world without ever leaving their computer screen. Google Earth 5.0 can be accessed at this link: earth.google.com/ . I also looked at Wiki pages, and how they are used in classrooms. Wiki pages are interactive webspaces. They allow the readers of the pages to edit the content and create new content within the page. More information about Wiki pages can be found at this link: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiki, and you can visit wikipages.com/index.php/Home to create your own Wiki page.
All three of these technologies could have an impact on how I teach and the lessons that I design for my classroom. Smart Boards offer a unique ability for teachers and students to "go inside" a demonstration, and visually show the class how to do an assignment. There are new programs that have been created largely for use on Smart Boards that allow students to create whole worlds that they can monitor and explore, such as the Jungle Maker program at http://www.nga.gov/kids/zone/jungle.htm . Google Earth 5.0 could really impact geography education: Rather than looking at plain old maps or globes, students can "visit" each location they are interested in, and learn about its topography. Wiki Pages, out of the three technologies that I examined, are perhaps the one that I am most excited about using in my classroom. Wiki pages allow students and teachers to interact and collaborate in ways that were not possible when I went to elementary school. Students can use Wikis to play an active role in sharing information, ideas, and discussion with their classmates, and teachers are able to take part in and monitor their activities. Wikis can be used as a constant means of communication between students and teachers.
The emerging technologies discussed in this post could hugely impact the ways in which students learn. Many of the technologies used in education are interactive and exciting approaches to instruction. They are able to incorporate sight, sound, hearing, and movement, allowing students of many different learning styles to flourish under the same instruction. They also allow students more freedom in directing their own instruction, a skill that enables them to become lifelong learners, rather than students who learn only in a school setting. As for meeting objectives, these new technologies provide different ways of monitoring student achievement and assessing the students proficiency. Wiki pages allow the teacher to review what each student has contributed to a project or discussion. Smart Boards allow the teacher to see what the student is engaging in, and how they are using the technology. Google Earth 5.0 is less of an assessment tool than it is a teaching tool, but it could be used as a resource for many different projects.
The most prevalent idea within these emerging technologies is that education and instruction are changing. When the Internet became more interactive and group-based, it started being referred to as "Web 2.0." Well, tomorrow's classroom could just as well be described as "Classroom 2.0." Classrooms are becoming interactive. They are empowering students to lead their own education and gather their own knowledge, and teachers better be right there with them.
All three of these technologies could have an impact on how I teach and the lessons that I design for my classroom. Smart Boards offer a unique ability for teachers and students to "go inside" a demonstration, and visually show the class how to do an assignment. There are new programs that have been created largely for use on Smart Boards that allow students to create whole worlds that they can monitor and explore, such as the Jungle Maker program at http://www.nga.gov/kids/zone/jungle.htm . Google Earth 5.0 could really impact geography education: Rather than looking at plain old maps or globes, students can "visit" each location they are interested in, and learn about its topography. Wiki Pages, out of the three technologies that I examined, are perhaps the one that I am most excited about using in my classroom. Wiki pages allow students and teachers to interact and collaborate in ways that were not possible when I went to elementary school. Students can use Wikis to play an active role in sharing information, ideas, and discussion with their classmates, and teachers are able to take part in and monitor their activities. Wikis can be used as a constant means of communication between students and teachers.
The emerging technologies discussed in this post could hugely impact the ways in which students learn. Many of the technologies used in education are interactive and exciting approaches to instruction. They are able to incorporate sight, sound, hearing, and movement, allowing students of many different learning styles to flourish under the same instruction. They also allow students more freedom in directing their own instruction, a skill that enables them to become lifelong learners, rather than students who learn only in a school setting. As for meeting objectives, these new technologies provide different ways of monitoring student achievement and assessing the students proficiency. Wiki pages allow the teacher to review what each student has contributed to a project or discussion. Smart Boards allow the teacher to see what the student is engaging in, and how they are using the technology. Google Earth 5.0 is less of an assessment tool than it is a teaching tool, but it could be used as a resource for many different projects.
The most prevalent idea within these emerging technologies is that education and instruction are changing. When the Internet became more interactive and group-based, it started being referred to as "Web 2.0." Well, tomorrow's classroom could just as well be described as "Classroom 2.0." Classrooms are becoming interactive. They are empowering students to lead their own education and gather their own knowledge, and teachers better be right there with them.
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