It's a Small World...

           One of the incredible things about technology is its ability to make the world smaller.  Through technology, we can put our students in touch with other students around the world, and give them access to things they may never have an opportunity to see in their lifetimes. 

            A great example of this is the Flat Classroom Project, at flatclassroomproject.org.  This was started by Vicki Davis, of Westwood Schools, USA and Julie Lindsay of the Beijing International School, China.  It focuses on middle and high school students, with the goal of taking down the classroom walls so that the world becomes one unified classroom.  Students work together on projects with other classrooms around the world. 

            I believe that teachers should take advantage of technological resources, from Google Earth, to virtual field trips, to the Flat Classroom Project to expose students to other cultures and ways of life.  This is the best way to increase understanding and teach tolerance. 

Technology For Everyone!

In a learner-centered classroom, the needs and interests of the learner are most important.  The learner has the opportunity to direct the learning process through activities like problem solving, inquiry, role play and simulation.  They also have the opportunity to demonstrate their learning in a variety of ways, according to their interest.  A teacher’s role is to facilitate and guide this learning rather than to present all the information they feel is relevant to the student.

      This approach naturally lends itself to meeting the diverse needs of students in a class.  In a learner-centered approach, students can work on projects at different levels, and in different time frames.  Teachers would not be under as much pressure to keep all students on the same schedule and to progress through material at a designated rate.  Students would also have the opportunity to choose ways to learn that accommodate their learning styles, such as visual, audio, or kinesthetic.

      Technology could be a great tool in helping teachers create learner-centered environments.  Using computer programs and websites, teachers could differentiate instruction for their students more easily.  With such a wide variety of educational material online, they could also find ways to engage students by tapping in to their interests.  On a broader scale, through a website such as teachertube.com, students in remote areas can view instructional videos from music, art and dance teachers that they may not have access to in their schools.

      However, the benefits of teaching with technology are only achievable if technology is available.  There is still a considerable gap in the availability of technology between the rich and poor.  Title I funding has helped by providing technology grants to schools with lower socioeconomic status, but that may only help these students while they are at school.  They are still more likely not to have computer access at home. 

Finally, it is important for teachers to be aware of the needs of their students with disabilities.  Do these students have equal access to the technological tools the rest of their students can use?  Teachers should research and gain access to assistive technologies.  For many students, these can help overcome communication and participation barriers.

Just Be Nice

Sometimes people use the anonymity of the internet as an excuse to say or do things they would never do in face to face interaction.  This has become such a problem, that there is a new word for internet etiquette, netiquette.  Rudeness online also prompted Real Simple magazine to declare January 9-13, 2012 as  “Be Nice on the Internet Week,” in an effort to encourage people to return to civility.   If teachers plan to incorporate technology into their lessons, it becomes part of their responsibility to teach students appropriate online communication that goes beyond safety to courtesy. 

Teachers should model appropriate online communication to their students.  This can include being careful about the humor they use, as it can often be misinterpreted when the accompanying body language is lacking.  It can also include things like avoiding all caps or excessive punctuation.  It’s important for students to realize that most of the time using “text” language in an academic setting is not appropriate.  As a teacher, I plan to caution students about the kinds of things they post about themselves and others online.  Once it is posted, there is very little they can do to control the dissemination of that information.  They should never post something about a friend without that friend’s permission, and they should understand that whatever they post about themselves can be seen by others, including potential employers, and their parents J (By the way, according to Real Simple magazine, infrequent use of emoticons is okay.)

           

I am Safe, Respectful and Responsible

Knoles School has a motto for its character development program. It goes, "I am safe, respectful and responsible." It's not a bad reminder to be conscious of our actions and our impact on those around us. I think it would be a good motto for students dealing with technology as well. There are many legal and ethical issues to consider when dealing with digital information. Safety is the most important. Students need to learn how to protect themselves. They also need to be “respectful and responsible” by following copyright and use laws, and learning to both ask for permission and give credit.

The website isafe.org gives some clear, easy to remember tips to help children protect themselves while online.  They label them the four “R”s.  This might be a good place to start in teaching students about online safety.

Recognize techniques online predators use.

Refuse requests for personal information

Respond assertively if you are ever in an uncomfortable situation. Exit the program, turn off the computer, tell a trusted adult or call the police.

Report any suspicious or dangerous behavior that makes you feel uncomfortable to a trusted adult.

            In addition to safety concerns, teachers need to help students understand their legal and ethical responsibilities when using digital information.  Some material available online can be used without obtaining permission from the author, if its use is considered “fair.”  On the U.S. copyright website, fair use is determined by considering four points.  First, consider whether or not the use of the copyright material is for profit, or for other purposes such as education.  Second, the nature of the copyrighted work is important.  Third, the amount of the copyrighted work that is being used as compared to the whole work is a factor.  Fourth, if someone uses this copyrighted work, will it have a negative effect on the potential market for that work? 

            I found a great website for teachers to help students understand the complicated world of copyright law.  It’s called teachingcopyright.org and contains lesson plans that deal with the definition and history of copyright law, determining fair use, and peer to peer file sharing. 

            While following copyright and fair use laws fulfills the “responsible” part of the motto, to be “respectful”, it is important to teach students to ask permission to use information they find online whenever possible, and to cite their sources carefully.