This week I was introduced to two online web tools that I will be adding to my tool box for technology tools to integrate into curriculum delivery - Thinglink and Scoop.it!. The book presented ways that teachers can use audiovisual tools to strengthen students’ learning, as these tools allow learning to be reinforced through multiple sensors (audio/video). Also, as the use of multimedia tools through the Internet is becoming increasingly popular, this provides a rich platform for effective learning to occur as students are able to interact using their kinesthetic (motion/simulation), audio, and visual sensors at the same time. I found this especially true as I was creating the interactive image using Thinglink. As I tested my final product, I could really see how the audiovisual resources would help to reinforce and enrich my students’ understanding of the topic, and realized that the way the image was presented could also help them connect the different components of the lesson and see how they all relate. I would definitely use this web tool in the future in my classroom. As it relates to Scoop.It!, I must admit, I did not truly understand what this tool would do until I started creating my bookmarks, and realized that it was a great way to incorporate different components of one topic into one place, and provide current and relevant information. The feature that I enjoyed most was the ability to type in keywords/tags, and Scoop.It! would generate numerous articles that matched the keywords, providing suggestive content that could reinforce the lesson being delivered. This feature was a time saver, and I actually found some articles that I thought would be more effective for students to learn the objectives.
#1. What are the legal considerations of which a teacher must be aware when implementing technologies in the classroom? Explain each consideration and the step(s) you would take in your own classroom to ensure that you do not violate the law.
Two major considerations that I would touch upon as it relates to legal considerations when using technologies in the classroom are concerns with the use of social networking/social media tools, and copyright laws related to the use of multimedia content retrieved on the Internet.
It is important for teachers to consider the safety and privacy of students when using social networking sites for teaching and learning assignments. Students are at risk of online predators as their habitual Internet behavior often results in them divulging too much information about themselves, and therefore, risk violating their own privacy to online predators. As a teacher who sees the benefits of using social media as a teaching and learning tool, in a higher education setting, I would conduct an introductory lesson or overview on social network/media etiquette and protocols before integrating these tools into the standard lesson delivery. The introductory lesson would address the benefits of social media as well as stress and explore the issues and concerns that come with using this tool. If I were teaching a freshman class, I would use age appropriate examples that hit home for my students, in order to raise the awareness and the seriousness of violating appropriate behaviors when using social media, and present the consequences. The lesson would also incorporate an assignment where students would use multimedia tools to analyze and explain their understanding of the risks that are undertaken when engaging in social media. This lesson would help to set the stage for expectations of how students should utilize social media as they complete various learning activities using the tool. In a secondary school teaching setting, I would also implement the same strategy and plan, in addition to assessing and considering the Internet security measures that the school or district has put into place to safeguard students’ privacy and safety.
Copyright infringement when using multimedia content retrieved from the Internet is another issue that should be considered when using technology in the classroom. The internet provides access to a vast amount of multimedia resources that however, many will be copyrighted by the creator for permission to be granted before use. Therefore, it is important that teachers educate their students on how to detect, and evaluate copyrighted material, what steps to take if using such materials, the consequences that result from the misuse of copyrighted material, and alternatives. In the same way that I would approach addressing concerns of safe use of social networking tools, I would also address issues related to copyright through an introductory lesson with an accompanying assignment where students will demonstrate their understanding of what copyright is, how to detect it, and how to prevent the improper use of this material. Students may also be given a post-test (that would not count against their grade performance) but that could be used as bonus points towards their final grade. This would provide an incentive for mastering the understanding of copyright laws, followed by putting it into action, and therefore, help to develop positive behaviors of using copyrighted material when creating or using multimedia tools to support learning.
Chapter 12
#2. Technology continues to evolve, becoming more personally responsive, more collaborative, and more individualized in addressing the needs of the learner. This approach of teaching and learning – whether using personal learning environments, MOOCs, or digital badges – will change how teachers use technology to ensure instruction that addresses the unique needs of the learner. How do you think the personalized learning will alter the way you implement technology-centered personalized learning in your classroom? Give at least three examples.
I think that personalized learning will require more time spent on preparing rich material that will support learning objectives, and that lead to students achieving learning outcomes. The traditional format of instruction where the teacher spends the majority of the time lecturing will be transformed as technology leads instruction to being more student self-directed and teacher supported learning. Just as in this course, we have spent several weeks preparing technology tools to use for classroom instruction; personalized learning will require more attention given to developing materials through integrating technology tools that will meet diverse learners’ needs at once. Although more time will be spent in preparation, however, this will result in more effective use of time spent on providing feedback, supporting student learning, and adjusting content and delivery based on summative and formative assessments. In the end, I believe that those teachers who invest the time in professional development in the use of technology in classroom instruction will see the most success in students’ learning development. Therefore, as a teacher using a personal learning environment, it will require me to spend more time doing pre-assessments (or conducting them more in depth) in order to gain a good understanding of my students’ learning abilities, beliefs, and needs, and ensuring to conduct formative and summative assessments to adjust to changing needs. It would also require me to stay abreast with new educational technologies, as well as learn the benefits and features of current technologies and how they are best used to deliver instruction. Finally, by engaging in professional development and strengthening my technology competence, skills, and knowledge of educational technology, I will be better prepared to implement effective instructional methods in a personalized learning environment.