Journal+Module+Three

Reflection #3

**//Reflection Prompt Module 3//** Reflect on what you plan to do to address the equity and ethics issues when applying technologies. You may share with us about what you have been doing by addressing these aspects and what you will change after learning in this module.

Description: This week we were presented with a case study that highlighted numerous nightmare situations that can be seen due to the emerging technologies in the classroom.

Impact: I had a basic knowledge of the laws and practices surrounding emerging technologies in the classroom before the start of this unit yet I did not know them in any detail. I had always looked at equity and ethics through a general everyday type stand point and did not really focus on the legislation. Legislation such as The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, Children’s Internet Protection Act of December 2000, and The Copyright Act of 1976 put huge safeguards surrounding students and the content that they can access. Through the study of the acts I was made aware of the enormous pressure on teachers to keep students safe.

I have a much better understanding of the serious protection and safe guards that are already in place. Instead of just trying to keep information safe and trying to instill a level of commitment among the students to protect their data, I really need to make it a priority to protect the students and myself. I feel like I have already been doing a good job trying to create equity in my treatment of my students in terms of their access to technology. With my experience in a rural district, many of my students did not have access to any sort of technology outside of the school environment. I have always made sure to provide ample class time to finish computer based reports and presentations. I also always make sure that content that is shown in class is appropriate. I never bring up content in class that I have no already looked at and reviewed ahead of class time. I also pride myself on my supervision in the computer lab; I feel that I do everything I can, including assigned seats and constant supervision, to keep students on track and looking at data that they should be seeing.

In terms of confidentiality of data, I feel like I already do a lot. I never work on grades when students are moving around the classroom due to the risk of grades being exposed. Also, the district where I taught was lucky enough to have student server space for students to store their data online. Although this was available many students had no idea how to use their space. One of the first things I did when going into a lab was instruct students how to save securely. Although I feel as if I am already doing a lot, there is still a lot of room to grow.

Intent Despite all that I have been doing, there is so much more to do; I have been made very aware of the dangerous and laws present through this module. I think one of the biggest issues is student’s lack of attention to their own privacy. I think this needs to be made a priority to educate and instill good practices in students early on. The four-week library class offered at my past school to all incoming sixth graders is a good start. I think this needs to be coupled with extensive instruction on saving data. I really do like the idea of every student having their own server space if that is possible or at least every student having access to their own flash drive which is secured in the classroom or computer lab. Also, I would love to see very computer lab with a program installed on the teacher computer that allows monitoring of every screen in the lab. I feel this is the only sure way to keep students away from unfriendly content. The only issue here is that instructors can’t be stuck in front of the screen all class, there are questions to be answered. So, what if the program could be taken around the lab with you on an Ipad? I would love this, yet money is always an issue. I think more awareness needs to be raised among the community about the dangers and risks that can be associated with new technologies and maybe funding will come in from that awareness to keep students safe. I will continue to do all I can to instill awareness among my students and the community of the dangers associated with the new digital world.

Great ideas about supervision of students while on computers...it is always a challenge. One of the best ways is to keep students so engaged in the project that they do not have time or desire to "surf" or seek out other things to do! Dr. Ward