Blog Post 2
I have used MS word throughout my entire education. I was lucky enough to go to an elementary school that had multiple computer labs for us to use. I am not a fan of google docs so I use word everyday to take notes, write papers, etc. I have seen my teachers use it in the same ways that I do and in many other ways. They use it to create exams, quizzes, lessons, etc.
The topic of copyright and fair use is a difficult one because technology is moving faster than laws can. One of my experiences with copyright issues is with textbooks. A lot of my professors struggle with not being able to post certain things online due to copyright issues. My rule of thumb is if I'm not sure, I give credit. You are never going to get in trouble for giving credit so it is better to just do it every time. As an instructor I think using other instructors lesson plans can be an awesome thing. However, I also think it is important to give credit and alter the material as needed for your class. I would expect the same thing from my students. Using someone else's material to enhance your work is great as long as you are giving credit.
Implementation issues can be a big deal in the classroom. Privacy could be a particularly big issue for classrooms with young kids because they have not been educated about the dangers of the internet. A solution to this could be choosing the websites they will be using very carefully and blocking dangerous sites.
Hacking and malware is another implementation issue that can be prevented. A great way to prevent these issues is by using a software like norton to protect you and your data.
Technology can make academic dishonesty easier to commit. However, it also makes it easier to catch. A solution to academic dishonesty is running students work into a search engine to see if it comes up anywhere else. Another solution is to collect phones and other devices during exams to prevent cheating.
The topic of copyright and fair use is a difficult one because technology is moving faster than laws can. One of my experiences with copyright issues is with textbooks. A lot of my professors struggle with not being able to post certain things online due to copyright issues. My rule of thumb is if I'm not sure, I give credit. You are never going to get in trouble for giving credit so it is better to just do it every time. As an instructor I think using other instructors lesson plans can be an awesome thing. However, I also think it is important to give credit and alter the material as needed for your class. I would expect the same thing from my students. Using someone else's material to enhance your work is great as long as you are giving credit.
Implementation issues can be a big deal in the classroom. Privacy could be a particularly big issue for classrooms with young kids because they have not been educated about the dangers of the internet. A solution to this could be choosing the websites they will be using very carefully and blocking dangerous sites.
Hacking and malware is another implementation issue that can be prevented. A great way to prevent these issues is by using a software like norton to protect you and your data.
Technology can make academic dishonesty easier to commit. However, it also makes it easier to catch. A solution to academic dishonesty is running students work into a search engine to see if it comes up anywhere else. Another solution is to collect phones and other devices during exams to prevent cheating.
Even if your professor won't post the text online, other professors at other schools have a lot of the times. So if you do enough googling you can find pdfs of the textbooks, short theory pamphlets, and even graphic novels. Just be careful cause if you make some risky clicks you might get a virus.
ReplyDeleteHey Alexandra!
ReplyDeleteI was also lucky enough to attend an elementary, middle and high school with computer labs for us to use so I have a ton of experience with Microsoft Word especially. I also now use it to take notes in class and organize all my papers and assignments. I thought what you said about technology moving faster than laws was really interesting because its totally accurate. Our laws cannot keep up with new technology in terms of copyright issues because they are so new. It is interesting to think about what kind of even newer technology is being invented and how it may affect even more laws in the future.
I couldn't agree more about disliking google docs. I get very frustrated because it is something that I never learned and it feels as though a lot of people in college live off of google docs! I also very much agree with the topic of citation. I have been taught my whole life that having more sources is better, and I'm definitely the kind of person to go overboard on that front. It is always better to be safe than sorry and with the internet it is so easy to cite. There are tons of online resources to help with citing, so it is pretty hard not to. I agree that collecting phones would help to cut cheating, but I think students will find ways around that. I think that if students want to cheat bad enough, they will even without technology. I think being an attentive teacher is the only way to ensure students are not being dishonest during an exam.
ReplyDeletei think it would be good if you come up with other ideas about how to prevent hacking and malicious software
ReplyDeleteI agree with the fact that if you aren't sure if you should include a source, then you probably should. Being safe when citing is always the better option than being accused with plagiarizing. I also agree that students need to have boundaries and blocked cites online for their own safety. Teaching them how to be safe on the internet must be a priority when implementing technology in the classroom.
ReplyDelete