Thoughts on Integrating Technology Resources and Effective, Ethical Work

Following on from dealing with ethical issues last week, I have been pondering how to integrate this with how we use computing to teach students, no matter what the subject field. Leanne presented some very effective ideas and shared some useful resources this week, perhaps the most inspiring for me was ‘Symbaloo’, which can be used as a database for web users. This presents opportunities for radical centralisation for one to access many different websites, resources and information. One of the challenges is how to use this effectively.

On being introduced to Symbaloo I considered how integrating it into how I work on the computer and using the internet could be changed, both in terms of centralising links and increasing web use efficiency. While it could be easy for a teacher to be disciplined in using such a database to organise not only their personal web life and professional web life, it could be difficult for students to do the same. As explored last week, ethics create huge issues for teachers and students alike, the video link below is a quick and effective way of recapping how legal and ethical issues relate to computers and music acquisition.

Video Retrieved 29/02/2012 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uuvbc_fSUM&noredirect=1

Reflecting on these things as a prospective teacher, one way I might be able to teach students acceptable use is by modelling it effectively. This might look like incorporating Symbaloo into how I gather information in light of school computer policy, taking time to consider copyright regulations, taking students through websites like Smartcopy and Creative Commons (as shown by Leanne in Tutorial, week 2).

Students could be shown examples of how to incorporate useful web resources mentioned above into their project based learning. Ideas shared by other teachers through organisations such as AITSL and the Institute of Industrial Arts Technology Education, as well as fellow colleagues could be put to use in my teaching taking a similar approach to integrating various links with ‘Symbaloo’. As mentioned a great deal by other lecturers, a common theme of gathering resources is a resounding reminder that teachers need to be up to speed with how education and technology are progressing.

Reflecting on week 1

Hello,

It is nearing the end of week 1, semester 1, 2012.

I have been reflecting upon what was touched on in Information and Communication Technology Curriculum and Teaching 1 (EDST441) earlier this week.

Aside covering important assessments which need to be logged and taken note of, several things stood out, the overarching points I felt were:

·         As technology teachers in the future, we will be assumed to be able to help in more ways within the school community than to just teach, this may be in the form of helping with technical things in the school with an emphasis on computers, especially for our fellow colleagues who may not be as computer literate as we are deemed to be.

·         Centralisation of information is important for people who are working towards a common goal or trying to organise something, this could aid classroom teaching where students could post and share ideas in a common place. This could be also of benefit for students who are shy in face to face discussion, allowing them to feel a certain amount of freedom.

·         Following on from my previous point, students and teachers alike must be aware of the ethical issues associated with the use of computers. Ethics, as opposed to laws do not lave legal power over people, however they are very important and often within different contexts have different levels of acceptance or alternatively, rejection. It is important that teachers understand and uphold ethical standards that penetrate into all areas of their life. Professional conduct that displays responsible behaviour to students is paramount, as teachers are potentially significant role models in student’s lives.

·         A government initiative known as “Crossing the line” has been set up due to our society increasingly disconnected from what could be described as a holistic community which has the community’s wellbeing at heart. Our lecturer commented that it is disturbing that the government feels that it has to inform what acceptable or unacceptable behaviour is. Potentially if someone with skewed ethics or morals was to inform these policies the repercussions could be horrible to ponder. The website can be found here: http://www.theline.gov.au/crossing_over

This week has challenged me to think about how I conduct myself within society, both online and in real life and the effects it has on me as a future teacher and member of Australian society. In regards to teaching this week's work has kindled thought on how I can best integrate good use of the internet into a classroom setting in a educationally beneficial, and safe way.

Image Retrieved 23/2/2012 from http://infiltrated.net/mgz/monkey_see_do.gif

Introduction and Purpose

Hi, I'm a third year student completing my BT/BA Design and Technology degree, welcome to my blog.

It is the second day of semester 1 2012, I have started this blog to document and keep track of the things I'm learning as a place to gather learning and teaching resources, as well as provide a platform for reflection. It's also a place where I can share what I'm learning and my thoughts about these things.

It will focus around the key curriculum topics within the NSW ICT syllabus, the content I am learning and reflecting on in EDST441. The syllabus document can be found here http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_sc/pdf_doc/info_soft_tech_710_syl.pdf