I am taking a Specialization in Technology and feel that technology is something that we should embrace and utilize, rather than fear.
Technology is all around us. Always changing, advancing, and evolving. It is apart of our world each and everyday and students are exposed to it everywhere they go. Rather than fearing these changes and limiting students access, I believe that it is important to teach students how to survive and to be safe in their ever changing and evolving environment. My goal is to be as transparent as possible with you regarding the benefits as well as the concerns that may arise with using technology within the classroom. Teaching students to be media literate and safe in these types of environments is critical, now, more than ever.
I wish to take advantage of the opportunity to assist students in being critical thinkers of the media around them, but also to help them find ways to take advantage of the technology around them to do good and to help them further their learning. Technology can be a gateway to students connecting with experts in their field, communicating with their community in a safe and meaningful way, and to become critical thinkers and literate in the world around them.
Goals:
Although there are many benefits, as with anything, there are also concerns to be aware of. With social media the accessibility of content and information is endless and much of it is out of anyone's control. There are concerns of the possibility of explicit information appearing through either comments made or advertisements appearing. There are also concerns with inappropriate use of the technologies by other students and inappropriate comments made. There would of course be steps taken to minimize this risk such as through classroom conversations, clear expectations, student expectations contracts and pre-screening of content when possible. Although, these risks exist, I believe that these are also essential learning opportunities for students as they continue on their path of discovering their moral and ethical standards within an online environment and that there are consequences to their actions.
Technology is all around us. Always changing, advancing, and evolving. It is apart of our world each and everyday and students are exposed to it everywhere they go. Rather than fearing these changes and limiting students access, I believe that it is important to teach students how to survive and to be safe in their ever changing and evolving environment. My goal is to be as transparent as possible with you regarding the benefits as well as the concerns that may arise with using technology within the classroom. Teaching students to be media literate and safe in these types of environments is critical, now, more than ever.
I wish to take advantage of the opportunity to assist students in being critical thinkers of the media around them, but also to help them find ways to take advantage of the technology around them to do good and to help them further their learning. Technology can be a gateway to students connecting with experts in their field, communicating with their community in a safe and meaningful way, and to become critical thinkers and literate in the world around them.
Goals:
- Students will know how to critically analyze information in a media environment
- Students will consider and accept differing points of view
- Students will be able to search for experts in their field and determine their validity and credibility
- Students will know how to appropriately communicate in an online environment
- Students will contribute to building a safe and positive online community
- Students will learn how to share information and interact with their community in a meaningful way
Although there are many benefits, as with anything, there are also concerns to be aware of. With social media the accessibility of content and information is endless and much of it is out of anyone's control. There are concerns of the possibility of explicit information appearing through either comments made or advertisements appearing. There are also concerns with inappropriate use of the technologies by other students and inappropriate comments made. There would of course be steps taken to minimize this risk such as through classroom conversations, clear expectations, student expectations contracts and pre-screening of content when possible. Although, these risks exist, I believe that these are also essential learning opportunities for students as they continue on their path of discovering their moral and ethical standards within an online environment and that there are consequences to their actions.