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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