Exemplify ethical practices of technology usage. In
this module I demonstrated how to utilize ethical practices while using
technology programs for learning.
Running
head: ETHICAL PRACTICES OF TECHNOLOGY USAGE
Dianza Zackery
Ashford University
Capstone-EDU 697
June 11, 2014
Instructor Lawrence
Exemplify Ethical Practices of
Technology Usage
There are many ways and possibilities for incorporating technology into the
classroom and getting away from the traditional strategies of teaching. Education is no longer limited to textbooks
and learning within the classroom. You
can bring the world into the classroom with just a click of a button!
Technology based-learning sanctions learning to implement endless and
innovative procedures. These procedures help to develop lessons which cater to student’s
individual learning styles which exceed barriers and change the foundation of
teaching and learning. When students
are using technology as a tool or a support for communicating with others, they
are in an active role rather than the passive role of recipient of information
transmitted by a teacher, textbook, or broadcast. The student is actively
making choices about how to generate, obtain, manipulate, or display
information. Technology use allows many more students to be actively thinking
about information, making choices, and executing skills than is typical in
teacher-led lessons.
Discussion
One major ethical issue is Web Accessibility. Web accessibility
aims at improving to online learning opportunities for all people including
those with disabilities and it allows all students the opportunity to
participate in their right to experience the power of the Internet for lifelong
learning (edweb.sdusu.edu). Moreover, when technology is used as a tool to
support students in performing authentic tasks, the students are in the
position of defining their goals, making design decisions, and evaluating their
progress (ed.gov). One cannot assume that a student has access to
technology outside of the classroom and thus needs to allow class time
information,
but rather plays the role of facilitator, setting project goals and providing
guidelines and resources, moving from student to student or group to group,
providing suggestions and support for student activity.
Web 2.0 is the growing set of tools and processes that
allows anyone to create digital content and collaborate with others without
special programming skills (Reiser & Dempsey, 2012, p. 169). Synergies
between Web 2.0 and Constructivist theories are through collaboration in and
outside of the classroom. Web 2.0 tools offer many different ways for students
to collaborate. Some examples include:
blogs, wikis, instant messaging, emailing, video conferencing, podcast,
YouTube and social networking sites. Not only students but people in corporate arenas
in today’s world in age thrive on collaboration and engagement, in turn making
Web 2.0 tools a necessity in and outside of the classroom. Using Web 2.0
technologies in the classroom enhances a teacher’s course by maximizing class
time, minimizing workload, increasing students’ understanding of the course
content, improving students’ performance in the course, enhancing students’
communication skills and engaging students in the classroom (Web 2.0
Technologies).
The integration of the Internet and Web 2.0 tools has
changed the way we as educators look at education, conduct our classroom and
plan our lessons using tools such as: wiki’, weblogs, presentation tools and
collaboration. There are ethical
concerns with web accessibility, diversity, inequality and privacy. As educators we must strive to exemplify
ethical practices of technology usage in and outside the classroom.
ETHICAL
PRACTICES OF TECHNOLOGY USAGE
Re-Design Activity
The instructional design project I chose to redesign is from
Trends and Issues in Instructional Design and Technology EDU 655. My lesson was
entitled The Future of E-Learning. The learning goal for the 21st Century and
beyond will consist of engaging and
empowering learning experiences both in and outside of school that prepares
learners to be active, creative, knowledgeable, and ethical participants in our
globally networked society. The
educational system today supports learning in a more traditional realm using
mainly textbooks, teacher /student instruction and learning taking place in a
classroom. The role of technology in our classrooms will weigh heavily on
funding which raises the question to the state, district, schools and educators
as to whether or not change and learning is truly an important factor in our
student’s education.
My first internet tool is blogs or “weblogs.” Blogs allow an author to post an idea,
assignment online and have others subscribers to the blog and add
comments. This allows the author and
subscribers connect anywhere. Students
can collaborate with others students and teachers from around the world. The
ethical concern is privacy among students and teachers. Comments can be viewed by anyone and other
students. These comments can lead to
inappropriate messages from other students.
The second Internet tool is Wikis which is a website where anyone
can edit anything at any time. Wikipedia is the most well-known wiki. Wiki’s can be created by anyone. An author can choose to view and edit the
wiki and can make changes. Wikis can be created,
edited, reviewed and published. This
tool is great for peer review and collaboration. Others from around the world are able to edit
the page. The teachers can post course
assignments and links.
ETHICAL
PRACTICES OF TECHNOLOGY USAGE
The ethical concerns using wikis are wrong information which you
should verify information and author before publishing. Students should be mindful of hacked entries
because anyone can edit these entries.
Also, look out for marketing entries there should be no advertisement
added to the page.
The third Internet tool is social media which is a form of online
publication that allows for active communication. When social media is used responsibly by
educators and students learning can be effective. For each class assignments students were
responsible for evaluating each other’s work (groups only). The class was online and social media played
an essential role in connecting students and creating an online community. Some
tools such as: Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn provide a platform where users
can dialog, exchange ideas and find answers to questions in which will foster
collaboration and discussion. Some ethical concerns are that social media can
be a distraction and may divert student’s attention. Cyberbullying can occur which can be a weapon
for malicious behavior. It also takes
away from face-to-face communication which can be difficult to form personal
relationships and attend social gathering
References
Lin, H.
(2007). The ethics of instructional technology: issues
and coping strategies experienced by professional technologists in design and
training situations in higher education. Educational
Technology Research and Development, 55, 411-437. Retrieved from http://edweb.sdsu.edu/courses/ed690mb/ethics.pdf
Reiser, R. & Dempsey, J. (2012). Trends and issues in instructional
design and technology (3rd
ed.). Boston, MA:
Pearson.
Effects
of Technology in the Classroom. (N/d). Retrieved from
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