EME2040-Blog #2

Hello! As a student, I have used various types of technology through my school years, but the thing I have used the most frequently is Microsoft Word. In a few classes in middle school, most classes in high school, and basically every class in college I have used Microsoft word to some extent. I have used Microsoft word to type papers, print pictures for projects, to make a few brochures, and for other various functions. This software has made it easy for me to type papers and turn them in on time and it has been relatively simple to figure out. 

            As a student I have seen my teachers use Microsoft word to create class calendars, syllabi, worksheets, tests, and instructions. I think this software is used even more by the teachers. Especially those in middle and high school where there are many more assignments and assessments that the teachers create. 

            I had not heard a lot about copyright until I got to college. They still give us the speech on copyrighting and plagiarism in every class during syllabus week. I never thought about it in middle or high school, other than the teacher telling us not to plagiarize by copying another’s work. I also never thought about it in terms of the teacher. When they are coming up with lesson plans, using information from the textbook, etc., they also have to think about copyright. As a teacher, I think the use of Turnitin is a good system to use to make sure students are submitting their own work. In terms of developing my own instructional materials, I would make my own original worksheets, but also hopefully the school I work for would buy some workbooks that coincide with the textbook, so I would not have to create every single worksheet by myself. I would also make sure, that as an educator I inform my students about the issues around copyright and fair use of materials. 

            The top 3 technology implementation issues that I would address in my classroom are copyright, academic honesty, and the digital divide. Copyright is something I would address in my classroom to ensure that students understand what it is, so they don’t accidentally or on purpose take credit for another’s work, and so that they understand the rights they have to their own creative works. To do this, I would give a couple lessons on copyright, and when I had my students turn in individual work, I would use a system such as Turnitin to test the originality of their work. Another important issue I would address is the topic of academic honesty. I would tie this into my copyright lessons, and I would discuss plagiarism and cheating. These are two major forms of academic dishonesty or misconduct and are punishable offenses. Lastly, the digital divide is the gap between those who have access to technology and those who do not. This can be at home, but also in schools. The lack of technology can cause a disparity of knowledge and skills and can create a divide, even later in life. As an educator in this position, I will make sure I am sensitive to each student and I would not assign online homework. I would instead focus on integrating technology into the classroom and teaching every student the basic skills during school hours when they all have an equal opportunity to learn about technology and use it for educational purposes.