Scenario 5: Other related issues

Scenario:

"You cannot go wrong using the Internet" was a comment made by one beginning teacher when discussing the potential of such technologies for the classroom. However, as technology becomes more and more part of our life, teachers should think about who is using the technology and how it is used. Other issues of concern include diversity, equity, disabilities, ergonomics, etc. The following resources highlight important issues that teachers should develop an awareness of as they begin to utilize current and emerging technologies in the classroom.

Questions:

  1. Using the following resources, identify the top ten key issues and ideas relating to such things as preparation of the classroom, access to computers at home, specific use of resources to support the teaching of diversity, etc., that you were not aware of before and that are important for beginning teachers.

10 issues teachers face regarding ethics and technology

 

  1. Students may illegally download photos or music that has been copyrighted.
  2. Computers can be used to play games during class time.
  3. Young students can run into pornography sites fairly easily without protection.
  4. A child may arrange an encounter with a harmful person.
  5. Children do not get any exercise sitting in front of the computer.
  6. Social skills may drop due to lack of contact with other children.
  7. Teenagers may be tempted to make on-line purchases using their parents’ credit cards.
  8. A child may meet an on-line stalker via e-mail, chat rooms, or cellular.
  9. A child may download a virus that will crash your computer.
  10. Not all information on the internet is factual or can be proven.
  1. As a beginning teacher, how can you best accommodate these issues as you plan for and begin to teach using technology?

It is important to teach students what kinds of tasks are appropriate to complete using computers.  It is also important to inform students about the penalties they will face for misuse of technology.  Students must learn that integrity is not just important face-to-face but online, as well.  Teachers should provide an environment that is conducive for close monitoring and assisting of the students.

 

 

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