Marty's reflection on security and blogging

I am going to change formats and reflect on both security in the school and on blogging as it pertains to education.

Security in the classroom is a must and teachers, students and administration must be properly trained in secure computer practices, especially when it comes to surfing the Internet. I believe all students should have a signed computer “driver’s license” which explains the dos and don’ts of computer use. Guardians should also have a signature block on this license. Our students will use computers throughout their lives and we are in the perfect position to teach them how to do it correctly, securely, and safely.

School computer security experts should use page blockers but should consult with teachers so as to not inhibit instruction. Teachers should be given the latitude to surf the web more freely than their students to be able to find proper educational contents and download or bookmark as appropriate. School administrations have the right to view all web activities, to include those of teachers, and teachers have the responsibility to navigate the web wisely, securely, and safely.

Now on to my reflections on the potential for using blogs in instruction. Our youth is tech-savvy and will catch on to blogs and their multiple uses in the classroom. It is apparent to me that we older folk must have strong instruction in setting up and using blogs as a tool for instruction. Our group struggled a bit with our blog, but with some fine mentoring on Tracy’s part did fine with this assignment. It would be a great learning experience to continue with the blog for the rest of this class. I’m up for it if you all are.

One BTW,
I truly have a better understanding of how difficult it is to learn when you are sight challenged. Seems I had to learn the hard way.

marty kaz

Kym's Reflection on Security and Dissection

I basically live at my school. I get to school at 7:00am and I leave on average around 5:30pm. I have to have some wiggle room as far as personal things I am allowed to do at school. Right now I am balanced... stressed out... but balanced. If I am on break and I have a few minutes that I am not required to be in a meeting I should be allowed to check into my grad class or see how my husband's big meeting went at work. The minute I am told that I connect use my resources for anything personal I will have to cut my workday down so I can get home. This will make my classroom and school work suffer. I believe the admin at school has a strong trust in the teachers and they do not want to micromanage what we do. We all know that our tech people can check in on us through viewing what we do on the network. So clearly, no one is going to take advantage of our situation.

As long as there is a trust and respect in the workplace I do not believe our "security" is in jeopardy. We are all educated people that know what attachments we can download etc. I am only required to be at school from 8:10 - 3:40. I don't know how I could get all of my work done if I only worked what was required. If I can let my school work invade my personal life, then I feel like I am entitled to have some of my personal life at work.

As far as dissections go I believe students should have a choice. Offer both classes one with real life dissection and one with virtual dissection. Kids that are interested in medicine or other related fields can choose the real life dissection. Others can get the same information and not be made uncomfortable with it.

Guidelines for Blogs

Does anyone have any resources for the rules and regulations students need to follow in blogs such as netiquette?

This likely would not be so much of an issue for Kym in the youngers grades. I thought I would get some feedback on the topic since it would apply to middle and high school grades, and this way we can get some dialogue in all areas of K12.

Tracy

Last week for communication!

See if you can find some of your favorite links and blogs and add them to the lists on the left.

Give Kym some feedback on how she can use blogs in her first grade classroom. I have put some great articles in the links for classroom section covering this topic.

Tracy

Tracy's Reflections: Security and Virtual Dissection

Though there have not been many responses in the realm of this discussion at the time of my posting, I feel my response to the security issue and teachers may be unpopular.

One thing I was able to point out to a classmate is I may be for the most part against personal use of school resources, but when it comes down to it, it's all a matter of degrees of use.

Though I personally do virtually nothing of a personal nature at my workplace, I certainly understand reasonable usage of resources. However, those who abuse the priviledge are exactly the ones who do not understand what reasonable means. I don't think many teachers understand the security issues involved in reading and downloading things from undauthorized sources.

I also may end up being in the minority with my views regarding the virtual dissections because I do see the value of the "real thing" over virtual in certain cases. I do see the value of a virtual method also, but gain, it's all a matter of the degree to which they are used. There certainly is a benefit in the reduction of expense, and the use of live specimens. I don't the the opportunity should be completely taken away. This is where I probably differ from many, in that I consider the real thing a tool and an opportunity, and not an obligation to do something I don't want to. Not all students will be grossed out by it.

Tracy

Blogging for all grade levels?

As you all know I am first grade teacher. I am looking for ways to incorporate blogs into my classroom. First grade reading, spelling, and writing could lead to a blog that is not able to be read.

Can you guys help me come up with ideas for using a blog in my classroom. (First graders are 6 turning 7)

Thanks for your help!
Kym

Marty's week 2 reflection: Constructivism with software

I wrote in my posts:
"Today’s classroom is a blend of old-school, traditional teaching and a constructivist-type of teaching/learning environment. These teaching methods are not mutually exclusive. We are going in the right direction to teach our students in this constructivist manner using technology as an enabler. We also must remember that all the technology in the world does not, in and of itself, make the instruction more effective. It takes trained, caring, strategizing teachers to make the classroom experience the best and most effective learning experience for our children."

Software is one of these enablers to help teachers best teach our students in a modern, constuctivist manner. In order for these students to get the best learning experience and true knowledge of our subjects, we must teach in this constructivist manner. The challenges with this are threefold (as I see them from outside the classroom): teachers must accept this methodology and be trained to best utilize the software, administrations must put a high priority in paying for the most effective software and training, and we must get over the NCLB standardized testing which pushes us to teaching to the rote memory of our students.

We must overcome these challenges to best teach our children and prepare them for the "big world" outside of school".

v/r, marty kaz