1. We have policies that cover the acceptable use, the publishing and several other areas to ensure the technology is used appropriately and for educational use. I feel that these policies are adequate, but we are not a school that uses technology on a regular basis. Therefore, I feel that there are areas that need to be addressed in policy that we have not seen the need for and that will be needed in the future as technology is ever changing. In detail, the policies regarding plagiarism, copyright and taking care of the technology are areas that need to be updated or added.
2. I believe at the beginning of each year it would take a short period of time to inform staff and students about the copyright do’s and do not’s. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Sometimes we have copyright’s being violated, but the persons doing so may not even realize it. With regards to technology, I feel copyright gets overlooked as many things are copied and pasted for use and people don’t think twice about the ramifications. If we educate those that use technology on copyright, it will benefit the school district in the future.
3. Yes, I truly believe that the Internet has far more benefit for education than dangers. The secret comes in the education of how to properly use the Internet. If students, staff and everyone involved know what to look for and how to look for it, then there are not many issues to deal with. If nothing is said, then users do not know their limitations and guidelines of what the technology is to be used for in the educational setting. Firewalls and security setting are good and necessary, but to a limit. Otherwise it is like in old school terminology- having a set of encyclopedias and only being able to look at the A, E, I, O and U…and sometime Y.
4. The research could be very beneficial in making sure that schools purchase technology equipment that will be at a reasonable cost and will be practical for the educational setting. No one likes to spend money on something that they use once or may not use at all. The same goes for purchasing technology for a school district. The research shows that the school dropout rate has decreased and that school attendance has increased. It also show that student are engaged and applying themselves like never before. Students are connected and have a craving to have more technology to help them learn. It is truly a tool for education and the research is showing that.
5. Schools continue to block web 2.0 tools because they fear that it does not benefit the learning process. Students are not educated not trusted to be on a computer, let alone be able to use web 2.0 tools. It comes down to educating the staff and student of how to use the web 2.0 tools , Internet and everything with technology so as to use these resources to the maximum capability to enhance the teaching and learning process for years to come. I think leaders have to constantly remind and review with students the proper use of these tools. Students are very smart and will try to find ways around the rules and guidelines provided for them. Common sense goes a long way, but if you keep students busy enough and help them see the benefit, I feel they will have a great understanding how using these tools inappropriately has a negative impact and could lead to problems or consequences.
95/100 points – A
ReplyDeleteQuestion 1: 19/20 points
You make an interesting point. If schools are not using technology all that much, then they probably don’t see the need for updated policies. At one point in time, Sioux Valley was one of the leaders in South Dakota with using technology. Hopefully, that will happen again. It will be important to have up-to-date technology policies.
Question 2: 19/20 points
I like your idea of taking time at the beginning of the school year to educate staff and students about copyright laws. It is also important to have current copyright policies in place. Technology copyright issues include cutting and pasting information from the web, as well as a school publishing student work on the web without the proper permission to do so.
Question 3: 18/20 points
Education of staff and students is certainly the best strategy for keeping everyone safe on the internet. I also agree with you that filtering is important (and mandated by Federal law). The other strategies schools can use to keep everyone safe is to have current technology policies in place and monitor students while they are using technology tools.
Question 4: 20/20 points
School leaders can use research to maximize technology purchases. At this time of tight budgets and accountability, research can make school leaders look smart. You provide a good list of current research in regards to technology including improved student attendance, dropout rate, engagement and motivation.
Question 5: 19/20 points
Certainly fear is a primary reason that schools keep web 2.0 tools locked down. I agree with you that education is a great strategy for helping to keep students safe and appropriate on the web. Education is also a good tool for school leaders, so they understand that keeping their network locked down too tight limits the use of powerful web 2.0 tools and leads to underutilization of the technology resources within the school.
It was a pleasure getting to know you in class!