Chapter 8: Systemic Issues

            Schools have many different challenges and can vary based on the district, city, and region.  The community’s in which the schools are located also has an effect on the challenges they may face.  However, technology can be used in the classroom, as well as in the community.  New technology tools can be used in the community in order to address these challenges and figure out ways to fix the issue.

English Language Learners and English as a Second Language

            Within the past few years, the amount of English as a Second Language (ESL) students have steadily increased and is projected to continue increasing in the future years.  In order to help these students understand and correctly learn and use the language, technology has become a big factor.

“Certain strategies, such as activating prior knowledge, making connections, visualizing, and asking questions, affect the general education … a second language is best acquired through meaningful engagements with the language as opposed to a set of grammatical rules to be mastered.” (pg. 160 – 161)

Hands-on learning have proven to work best for any learner, but it is significantly effective for ESL learners and it helps them become more engaging and have a better understanding of the language.  Some technology tools that have been shown to help students to understand content better are through:

•  Blogging: Allows students to interact with others and improve on their knowledge, understanding, and comprehension on the language and subject matter.
•              Podcasting: Students are able to listen, respond, and practice their vocabulary and other skills effectively.

Students with Special Needs

            All the different tools that are accessible on the internet are very important for students with special needs.  They are able to access certain tools which can help each individual based on the needs that they have.  Students with special needs also benefit a great deal from clear instruction of their learning strategies and generally have a good result.  The teachers’ impact and involvement with the students also affect the way students learn and retain the information.

Equity and the Digital Divide

            “An ongoing challenge for all schools is to provide an equal opportunity to learn and achieve to all students” (pg. 165).  There are many factors which are included in this challenge such as access to technology, families who have cultural or linguistic diversity, students who face physical challenges, as well as many more.  The issue of equity is not only limited to the classroom, but is also found throughout communities.  Some suggestions in order to help this issue include the production of laptops for $100 which will work off of satellites instead of wired broadband access, and using free open-source software instead of having to purchase software.  Many current web 2.0 tools can usually be used in today’s world in order to help those students how may not have the same accessibility as others.

Assessment

            In schools today, teachers are in an odd circumstance because the schools are given the requirements that need to be completed in order to improve on standardized test scores.  Sometimes the importance of focusing on the test distracts the teacher from teaching other basic concepts.  Studies have shown that teachers can incorporate new technology web 2.0 tools in order to better prepare and collaborate with other students and build upon their knowledge.  Educators are able to plan their instruction with the web 2.0 tools and be able to evaluate their students throughout the unit instead of just at the end.

NETS • T Standard

4.      Assessment and Evaluation – Teachers apply technology to facilitate a variety of effective assessment and evaluation strategies.  I think this standard applies to the chapter because it describes how teachers can apply technology in assessing student learning of subject matter using a variety of assessment techniques.  It also relates to the chapter because the standard notes that teachers can use technology resources to collect and analyze data, interpret results, and communicate findings to improve instructional practice and maximize student learning.  Finally, the standard also applies multiple methods of evaluation to determine students’ appropriate use of technology resources for learning, communication, and productivity.

Citations:

Solomon, G., & Schrum, L. (2007). Web 2.0, new tools, new schools. Eugene, OR: Intl Society for Technology in educ.

Chapter 7: Online Safety and Security

“Social-networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook allow youngsters to post private information, which leaves them vulnerable to harassment and other dangers.  Cyberbullying may be the online equivalent of bad schoolyard behavior, but it is no less hurtful or dangerous.” (pg. 138)

Schools which receive funds for using technology in the classroom, have certain requirements that they need to follow.  These requirements include installing filtering and blocking technology on the computers in order to keep the internet age-appropriate for children.  Copyright and intellectual property is also important, as well as sometimes confusing.  There are five steps listed in order to help prevent copyright problems:

       ·         Create and implement a technology policy that includes a code of ethics and set of procedures.

       ·         Review the entire policy with you educational community: students, teachers, and parents.

       ·         Appoint a technology manager to conduct audits and maintain a log of licenses and registration materials.

       ·         Teach ethical and legal behavior for technology use.

       ·         Thank employees and students for supporting these steps.

There are some securities solutions that can help keep students safe when using the internet at school.  These solutions include:

       ·         Awareness Programs: Teachers need to have conversations with the students in order to inform them of the possible threats and dangers when being online.

       ·         Acceptable Use Policies: A list of policies that is given to students that outline the guidelines, procedures, and responsibilities for using school technology.

       ·         Ethical Behavior: Facts about ethical behavior can be very confusing.  Some tips to follow include:

              o   Seek Truth and Express It: Teachers and students should be honest, fair, and courageous in gathering, interpreting, and expressing information for the benefit of others.

              o   Minimize Harm: Ethical teachers and students treat information sources, subjects, colleagues, and information consumers as human beings deserving of respect.

              o   Be Accountable: Teachers and students are accountable to their readers, listeners, and viewers, and to each other.

              o   Respect Information and Its Infrastructure: Information, in the Information Age, is property.  Information is the fabric that defines much of what we do from day to day, and this rich and potent fabric is fragile.

       ·         Administrative Restrictions: Teachers and administrators need to have specific rules of how the students’ content will be shown on the internet, and parents should be informed.

       ·         Parental Involvement: The schools need to work with the parents in order for them to understand the issues and the policies of the school and how they are helping keep their children safe.

       ·         Blocking: Teachers and administrators need to set up firewalls and protection against certain websites that are not age-appropriate and so students can not pull up inappropriate pictures.

Networking sites have also become a problem and can distract students from doing their work online.  These networking tools include:

       ·         Instant Messaging

       ·         Social Networking: Facebook, MySpace

       ·         Image Sharing: Flickr

There are also many sites that have a lot of information and have been created by educators so they are safe for students.  These sites include pictures, and many search engines, but are safe and secure from images that students should not be exposed to.

NETS • A Standard
6.  Social, Legal, and Ethical Issues – Educational leaders understand the social, legal, and ethical issues related to technology and model responsible decision making related to these issues.  I think this standard applies to the chapter because it describes how educational leaders should ensure equity of access to technology resources that enable and empower all learners and educators as well as identifying, communicating, modeling, and enforcing social, legal, and ethical practices to promote responsible use of technology.  It also relates to the chapter because this standard talks about promoting and enforcing privacy, security, and online safety related to the use of technology and also to participate in the development of policies that clearly enforce copyright law and assign ownership of intellectual property developed with district resources.

Citations:

Solomon, G., & Schrum, L. (2007). Web 2.0, new tools, new schools. Eugene, OR: Intl Society for Technology in educ.