Monday, October 3, 2011

First Post

            Safe, legal, and ethical use of digital information and technology means that students advocate a safe and responsible use of technology, demonstrate personal responsibility for lifelong learning, demonstrate leadership for digital citizenship, and use technology to support collaboration, learning, and productivity. Addressing these things are important in the development of technology-integrated lessons because they help students learn how to author and share on the web, as well as receive authentic feedback from a larger audience. Students will also learn how to provide responsible and valid information, which will help prepare them for the professional world. Some ideas that can be used to support this type of technology-based learning are blogs, Wiki, and research projects. When introducing these different technologies, students should be aware of the dangers of providing personal information on the web, citing sources, and utilizing the technologies in social way that is positive.
            Digital etiquette and responsible social interactions include the standards of conduct that are expected by other digital technology users. This is extremely important to address to students because it will make them more aware of technology-based decisions that can potentially harm or disturb other people. Some common issues that arise with a lack of awareness in digital etiquette are uploading pictures of people without their permission, cyber bullying, and disrupting others with cell phone use. Students should be aware of the dangers of posting photos online, how to be polite and respectful when using a cell phone, and how to engage in conversations with people without being a cyber bully. All of these things can help students keep themselves and other people safe and happy.
            In order to meet diverse needs of learners through learner-centered strategies and equitable access, students should be provided with strategies that address the needs, abilities, and interests of the learner. All students should also have the opportunity to use digital tools and resources for learning so that they are able to effectively complete their tasks and enhance their learning. It is important to address these things because it will help assist students with areas in which they struggle, such as visual and auditory impairments, learning and developmental limitations, learning styles, and issues related to the student’s ethnicity and culture. Students will also be informed about resources that can help them utilize technology, such as before and after school access and different library branches. If students are aware of technologies and ways to utilize those technologies to assist their learning, learning may become more enjoyable and less difficult.  
            Global awareness and digital-age communication can be developed by engaging with colleagues and students of other cultures by using different types of communication and collaboration tools. These are important to address in the development of technology integrated lessons because they provide students with the opportunity to learn about other people’s views on various topics, or about the person in general and their culture. Some different types of technology that can be used to assist this area of learning are Web 2.0 tools, such as Wiki, podcasts, and Google Docs. While using these tools, teachers should help students understand how to appropriately balance safety and communication on the internet. When used properly, students can greatly benefit from socializing with people around the world and opening their minds to different things.

No comments:

Post a Comment