Will I make a cHaNgE?

It seems, though, that the theme of our world lately has been 'change'.  Think back to our recent presidential elections, our steps in creating a better 'greener' environment, or the fact that we have recently acknowledged the obesity epidemic that has taken our culture by storm.  Things change constantly in every sort of way and in every sort of setting.

We all want to put our footprint on the world right?  Thinking, feeling, believing, are all perhaps a bit easier than actually doing something about it.  Fortunately....drum roll please...as TEACHERS!! we all are placed in the professional position to be a change agent!  Being a change agent has many different responsibilities attached to it.  There are the obvious ones like making sure your school is safe environment for learning and growing, or speaking up rules and regulations that could help improve the school.  But the real important ones (in my opinion) are things such as how are you going to touch and change each and every students life, how are you through your teaching and interactions going to make a difference, how are you going to make each student better...how are you going to make a change? 

One way we can make a change is by giving students the tools they need to succeed mentally, physically, emotionally, and intellectually.  (Of course I am going to talk about the mental and intellectual part for Ed Tech!! ha ha)  Providing students with opportunities to use and learn different aspects of technology is huge.  It will  not only prepare them to use more technological applications in their own everyday lives, but will help them succeed later on at the college or professional level.  Stemming off of this discussion, one can relate this technological learning and advancement to my last post...Technology as a means of Unification.  By giving all students the tools for technology we let everyone advance to the best of their ability and level the playing field. As we learned in class, the younger students begin learning, the more advance they become at earlier ages allowing them to advance further and further.

Being a change agent no matter where your cause lands is a very important job and as teachers one we should take very seriously!    

Take this quiz...are you ready to make a change?

For more information on being a change agent click here or watch the video below!

Images used with permission from Flickr: Creative Commons. http://www.flickr.com/photos/timsamoff/ / CC BY-ND 2.0

Technology as a means of unification!!

This week in Ed Technology and Design we were learning about our responsibility as teachers to provide the best opportunities and learning environments possible no matter what our students needs are. 

Obviously this moral obligation and responsibility goes past just making sure that it is quiet when our students are trying to read, or that everyone can see the chalk board without any visual obstructions.  What our discussion was aiming as is using technology (remember it can be high end---computers, tvs, ipods,etc. or low end---glasses, specials pens and pencils, print in books, etc.) as a means of unification...letting go of the common titles of handicapped, disabled, or challenged.  We are all the same...we just all learn and do in different ways.  And for that matter who decided what the normal standard of learning/doing is...?

To learn more about assistive technologies click here. Food for thought,  many uses of technology that were created as a means of assistance are now used by everyone...think of cross walk signs or the little birdy that tweets when it is safe to cross the street!

Watch this video to see how technology is unifying and creating independence among us all.






Image used with permission from flickr.com: Giant Ginkgo http://www.flickr.com/photos/giantginkgo/58977771/

Cyber Bullies...the new bully breed!

Hello again from Ed Technology and Design! We have been talking about cyber citizenry and what the appropriate rules of engagement should be on the web! While we all know that the same basic publicly correct notions can be applied online...we all obviously are not following them! A new fad has taken hold of teens and adolescence (as well as some adults) and it’s called cyber bullying. This new trend brings the classroom and playground taunting/ harassment/hazing to the web. Cyber bullying is when a person uses an internet communication source (IMs, messages, emails, etc.) to intentionally victimize and tease another person. For more definitions of cyber bullying click here.

Many may say bullying is just a part of life...kids go through it, they get through it...move on. However, we are finding out that there are some drastic differences between cyber bullying and traditional bullying. First, cyber bullying can follow you home, traditionally someone that was being bullied could always find a safe haven at home...now bullying can follow you home and be in your living room, kitchen, your child's bedroom, or even sitting next you on the couch (depending of course on where your home computer is located). Further, cyber bullying can be virtually invisible...invisible to all parents (those of bully or victim), to teachers, to guardians, to mentors, to siblings, and anyone else. What teachers or parents could control of playground/classroom bullying...now slips dangerously undetected under the radar. Finally, bullies can hide their identity on the web and never be held accountable for their actions which is both detrimental to the bullier and victim. The bullier may never learn the consequences of their actions and for the victim justice may never be served. To learn more about recent bullying trends and statistics click here.

Stepping off the deep end even more, cyber bullying is now being blamed for many recent teen and adolescence suicides. Watch these videos to learn even more...









On a positive note, there are great strides being taken in making people aware of cyberbullying and how to stop it...








There are many great websites on the net dedicated to fighting cyberbullying, look them up and become informed. If you are being cyberbullied or know someone who is, tell someone you trust and ask for help! 

Websites for Help:  Cyber Bully Help: http://www.cyberbullyhelp.com/
                              ReachOut: http://au.reachout.com/find/articles/cyberbullying
                              National Crime Prevention Council: http://www.ncpc.org/cyberbullying
                              Wired Safety: http://www.wiredsafety.org/


Image used with permission from flickr:creative commons.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bombardier/ / CC BY 2.0

Ed Techhhh! Computer Spies!!!!

Hey All! In my Educational Technology and Design class we are learning about the limitless things one can do with technology.  We are also learning that at times, there need to be limits!   As is the case with a school in Pennsylvania.  In February, a federal judge ordered school officials in a Pennsylvania school district to stop spying on students via web cams on school-issued computers.  School officials made allegedly false drug related accusations against a  high school student in this district on the basis of a camera snap shot taken via web cam.  The kicker here- the student was in the privacy of his own home when this web cam snap shot was taken---talk about an invasion of privacy.  Although the reasons behind school officials original plans for web cam use were harmless, this is a clear violation of human rights! To read this article click here.

In the above case a students right to privacy and the 4th amendment were being violated. (What is the 4th amendment?) Are there any other cases in which technology has or is violating our right to privacy?  You betcha!  Think of the ban on camera phones in locker rooms or about the fact that you can find a picture of anyone's house (even your own!) and directions to that location by searching 'google earth.'  I have even heard talk that one day the satellites in space will be able to spy into our houses if they aren't doing so already! (Bring on the paranoia!)

If you want MORE!---Another technology related privacy violation---'Facebook!' Click here to see how 'Facebook' may be violating your privacy.

Or watch this...   


Image used with permission from Flickr Creative Commons: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jvk/31232480/.

Hi ya!

Hello this is my first blog. I am so excited.