Blog Journal #2
Hello everyone!
In this weeks blog we will be focusing on technology in the classroom.
Throughout my educational experience, Microsoft Word has been one of my go-to programs for writing papers and constructing PowerPoints. I have become very familiar with it over the years and have found it to be the most convenient when it comes to writing essays for class. I mostly used Microsoft Word for writing papers, these papers were typically the standard MLA or APA format and had little to no color, design, or pictures throughout the text. Occasionally teachers would ask me to make posters for school activities or simply for a poster board project even. At this point I became more aquatinted with using the WordArt settings and copying and pasting photos as well as adding borders and other smaller details to make the poster more visually appealing. Being that Microsoft Word is quite popular, my teachers suggested it quite often in school. They personally would use it to design posters as well. However, my experience with the teachers using the program themselves was limited. They would educate us on the technology and help when it was needed; although, there usage of it was rarely seen in the classroom, they mostly displayed PowerPoints.
When it came to discussing copyright and the fair use of materials in the classroom, my teachers never really discussed this in my classes, though based on my knowledge of the fair use of materials, my teachers only used relevant material and only as much as needed when including copyrighted material in their curriculum. Often times, I would have teachers show movies and clips of different medias and news channels. If I were to be a teacher, I think I would handle it the same way I was taught to do so. I would only show the necessary materials needed to show my students how the curriculum I am teaching applies to real world situations. Furthermore, I would encourage my students to use these clips and materials in their presentations if they felt it was relevant and helped to explain their ideas. I know from my personal experience that being able to incorporate these copyrighted materials livened up my presentations and really got my point across.
Out of the three main issues with the implementation of technology in schools, I personally find cyberbullying, the digital divide, and academic honesty to be the most important. Cyberbullying has been becoming an issue more and more as technology becomes more common. The effects of cyberbullying can be all the way from low self-esteem to the reason a person decides to take their life (Something that is sadly happening more often due to cyberbullying). In order to prevent this, I would teach students about the implications of cyberbullying and help them to practice using technology as a way to encourage others and their ideas. The next issue of the digital divide is something that is common and was addressed and many of my classes growing up. My solution to this would be to poll how many of students have access to a computer and internet as well as the basic programs necessary for my lessons. From there I would ask how often they have access to these resources. I would make sure to provide plenty of time in school for students to learn about technology as well as complete their work through it. Last but not least, is the issue of academic honesty. This is something that is being addressed all the way through college. I would address this by explaining the actions that would be taken to punish students for breaking this policy. I would also encourage my students to be honest with me so that they would feel like if they are having issues or need extra help, I would be more than willing to do so.
Thank you all for stopping by! Until next time,
Taylor
In this weeks blog we will be focusing on technology in the classroom.
Throughout my educational experience, Microsoft Word has been one of my go-to programs for writing papers and constructing PowerPoints. I have become very familiar with it over the years and have found it to be the most convenient when it comes to writing essays for class. I mostly used Microsoft Word for writing papers, these papers were typically the standard MLA or APA format and had little to no color, design, or pictures throughout the text. Occasionally teachers would ask me to make posters for school activities or simply for a poster board project even. At this point I became more aquatinted with using the WordArt settings and copying and pasting photos as well as adding borders and other smaller details to make the poster more visually appealing. Being that Microsoft Word is quite popular, my teachers suggested it quite often in school. They personally would use it to design posters as well. However, my experience with the teachers using the program themselves was limited. They would educate us on the technology and help when it was needed; although, there usage of it was rarely seen in the classroom, they mostly displayed PowerPoints.
When it came to discussing copyright and the fair use of materials in the classroom, my teachers never really discussed this in my classes, though based on my knowledge of the fair use of materials, my teachers only used relevant material and only as much as needed when including copyrighted material in their curriculum. Often times, I would have teachers show movies and clips of different medias and news channels. If I were to be a teacher, I think I would handle it the same way I was taught to do so. I would only show the necessary materials needed to show my students how the curriculum I am teaching applies to real world situations. Furthermore, I would encourage my students to use these clips and materials in their presentations if they felt it was relevant and helped to explain their ideas. I know from my personal experience that being able to incorporate these copyrighted materials livened up my presentations and really got my point across.
Out of the three main issues with the implementation of technology in schools, I personally find cyberbullying, the digital divide, and academic honesty to be the most important. Cyberbullying has been becoming an issue more and more as technology becomes more common. The effects of cyberbullying can be all the way from low self-esteem to the reason a person decides to take their life (Something that is sadly happening more often due to cyberbullying). In order to prevent this, I would teach students about the implications of cyberbullying and help them to practice using technology as a way to encourage others and their ideas. The next issue of the digital divide is something that is common and was addressed and many of my classes growing up. My solution to this would be to poll how many of students have access to a computer and internet as well as the basic programs necessary for my lessons. From there I would ask how often they have access to these resources. I would make sure to provide plenty of time in school for students to learn about technology as well as complete their work through it. Last but not least, is the issue of academic honesty. This is something that is being addressed all the way through college. I would address this by explaining the actions that would be taken to punish students for breaking this policy. I would also encourage my students to be honest with me so that they would feel like if they are having issues or need extra help, I would be more than willing to do so.
Thank you all for stopping by! Until next time,
Taylor
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