Wikipedia Experience

This is the page I edited. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beekeeping

And this is my username.

Sarahsnow16

I don’t really know how I feel about Wikipedia. I think there is a lot of good information available and from my experience they did a good job of keeping it monitored. However, how do I know that the people who are monitoring certain pages are correct? I contributed valid information to my sight that I got straight from one of my classes here at state. It got taken down quite quickly. Wikipedia could be missing out on good information because some people don’t want edits to their page. I just don’t see Wikipedia as something to fret over because there is no way to know if it’s legitimate. I personally wouldn’t want anyone messing with my work, so I can understand why someone would keep close watch on the edits. I didn’t make any edits after that. I think Wikipedia is a good idea for the most part. However, if I made a page I would lock it so only certain people could edit it. 

After my edits were taken down I looked at the talk page. It said that the beekeeping page was not a “how to” page. I didn’t agree with him. The page talked about the equipment used to beekeep and I expounded on that. It didn’t upset me that he took them down, because I personally don’t like the idea of messing with someone else’s work anyway. I wouldn't want just anyone to do that to me. I never said anything back on the talk page.

I probably won't continue to contribute to wiki pages. I don't see any point in investing my time on something I don't fully support. There is no validity to the accuracy of the information, so I prefer to put my skills elsewhere. I don't plan to use it in my classroom either. I don't want my students to think they can believe just anything they read on the internet. 

Professional Learning Networks and Twitter

When students sit in a classroom and look to the front, they see one teacher. However, the truth is that behind the lessons and their one teacher, is a whole network of educators collaborating to create best classroom environment possible. Professional Learning Networks consist of a wide variety of teachers coming together to share ideas and opinions. PLNs are a way for teachers to have support as well as to better their lessons and teaching style. PLNs do not necessarily have to be within a single school, or even within a grade/subject. They often discuss much wider topics than merely specific educational topics. PLNs can discuss things such as common classroom problems, ideas to create better learning environments, or ways to incorporate technology into the classroom effectively. 

This can be beneficial to inexperienced teachers as well as experienced. Inexperienced teachers need mentors and to show them the ropes and to encourage them in their new job. Starting anything new can be intimidating so having a multitude of connections can help ease the stress. Experienced teachers may need new and fresh ideas. After doing the same thing year after year it can become easy to start going through the motions. On the other hand it can be hard to incorporate new technology that has never been used before. PLNs can include new minds that are more experienced with new technology and tactics. PLNs are helpful to everyone. 

Technology has greatly enhanced the world of PLNs. Teachers from all over the world can now be a part of my PLN. I use Pinterest to connect with other teachers. I have found so many incredibly clever ideas from it. It is one of my favorite was to communicate and share ideas for teaching. Communication is faster and more accessible to almost everyone because of new technology, enabling things like twitter chats for teachers everywhere. When participating in a twitter chat there were certain things that I liked, but also many things that I didn't. With so many participants it was hard to follow the conversation. However, if I looked hard enough there were some good comments and resources available. 

Twitter is a good resource for the classroom itself, not just a way to connect with PLN. I now follow various educators and other teaching resources on twitter. Teachers can also participate in twitter chats to share ideas and get new ideas for the classroom. I follow myEDmatch and Teachers First on twitter. I have also followed Smartbrief Education because I find these to be great resources that will benefit my profession. 

One great twitter account that I just love is the kinderkids account. They use it to tweet as a class. This helps the kids with writing full and proper sentences, with assistance and on their own. It also helps them learn how to use and navigate the internet. It allows parents to follow what their children are learning and what they are doing at school. I know my mother would have loved to have that connection my first year in school. I think this is a great idea that I may try as a teacher. 

Overall, there are many ways to connect with a PLN through technology. My favorites include blogging, pinterest and in some cases twitter. These do not require time sensitivity, which is a fantastic attribute for teachers. They can also lead to meeting with other teachers in person at conferences or workshops. The opportunities are limitless. :)  

To read about more ways to enhance your PLN on Twitter go here: 

http://edge.ascd.org/_Building-a-professional-learning-network-on-Twitter/blog/6498319/127586.html?crlt.pid=camp.tPrcCQjy5N0h

For 10 great guides to a better PLN go here:

http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2013/01/10-great-guides-for-better-professional.html

Here is a great video about what a PLN is and how to use it.

Copyright Laws in Teaching

Everyone wants to feel like their work is appreciated and rightly accredited. The feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment drives people to work hard and make things better. I believe part of the reason why copyrights were made is to retain this drive and ambition. Without it, the work of someone may not result in proper recognition to its creator. Others could use it and call it their own. In this regard, ideas are being stolen and used without proper permission. If this went on long enough, people may stop trying to create good things simply because no one appreciated their work and gave them recognition. 

Copyright is used to help ensure that whatever gets created, gets protected. Not to say that nothing can be shared, but copyright allows the sharing to be regulated. Copyright was made to prevent someone from taking a piece of work and presenting it as their own. It also prevents people from taking something and building on that work and getting recognition. However, some people may want their work to be the building block for something greater. Copyright laws allow for the creator to grant permission to others to use their work. 

"Fair Use" fits into copyright laws by allowing teachers to use 10% of certain things for educational purposes. This prevents teachers from unfairly taking advantage of things that are not theirs, while still allowing them the resources to teach.  As teachers this gives us a lot of material to enhance our lessons. At times it may feel like copyright laws only hold back more of what we could use. It also forces us to look at the grand scheme of a piece of work and take what we think will be most beneficial to the students. It also teaches our students by example, responsibility in the world. It teaches them that not everything is theirs for the taking. 

For books, blogs, articles, videos, etc. on teaching copyright, go here:
http://www.teachingcopyright.org/resources
For questions about copy right laws, go here:
http://www.loc.gov/teachers/usingprimarysources/copyright.html
All teachers should take a look at this:
http://www.edutopia.org/copyright

Digital Citizenship

Digital Citizenship in Schools

A teacher's job is to provide opportunities for students to learn new things. School should be a place where kids are shaped into better citizens in their own unique way. Teachers should guide them along the way and expose them to lessons that will help them discover who they are and what they want to do in life. These lessons should equip them to live life in a way that enables them to make a difference and do so safely. 

Technology is on the rise in today's society. This puts a spin on teachers job to help students grow up to be upstanding citizens. Teachers also have to consider that not only will the students become citizens of the world, but also of the digital world. This is a hard concept for students to realize at a young age because of the barrier technology creates between people. No one is directly watching them as they post something on social media. No one directly sees them click the mouse to go onto a website they shouldn't. Not to mention how easy it is to type negative and derogatory things versus saying it to someones face. 

The first step towards creating responsible students online, is making them realize that their image and reputation online is just as important as it is in person. The same goes for their safety. Places they go online can be just as dangerous as places they could go in town. As a future teacher I will create opportunities for my students to practice responsibility online. I will teach them what is appropriate information to put on their profiles and to release to certain websites. I will ask them what certain pictures make them think. I will ask them "What if you were in this picture?". It is also important for them to understand that just because something is online, doesn't make it free. At a young age, people should learn and become aware of the laws regarding piracy and theft online. It is easy to get away illegal things online, but that doesn't create a good environment online. My students will be the future generation of society and it is my job to teach them to be honest and responsible. 

Students should be exposed to technology in many different aspects. Some don't have access at home and school is the only place they learn to use it. Schools should take responsibility for teaching students how to use technology responsibility. It is becoming such a huge part of life, therefor it should be present in schools. I agree that many aspects of social media and games can hinder children's focus in learning. I think these aspects should be restricted but there are plenty of other resources to teach kids how to use social media responsibly. 

Photo Credit to Terry Heick

links to more info on digital citizenship

http://digiteacher.flatclassroomproject.org/Let's+Talk+about+Digital+Citizenship

http://digitalcitizenship.net/Nine_Elements.html

Teachers and the Digital Divide

In today's world, some people have an advantage over others due to access to technology. With technology growing so rapidly, the future is centered around its influence. Those people who have technology and internet access in their homes have a better understanding of how to use it, and use it effectively. Coming into a classroom with the prior knowledge and advantage wedges an invisible "divide" between students. As teachers it is our job to close that gap and give all students an even playing field for them to prosper. 

Having students at different ability levels is a common hurdle that teachers have to learn to work around when planning lessons. Technology is adding another aspect to this problem. Some students have computers and Ipads at home that they use on a regular basis. Others only have a smart phone to allow them internet access. This creates a great disadvantage for the latter. When assigning homework, teachers cannot assume everyone has the resources to create a word document, power point, or even to look up a video online. 

Students with access to the internet have an endless supply of information at their fingertips. Other students may only have access from a cell phone or at a local library. The time and experience spent with technology can impact how the readiness a student has to enter into the work force. Employers are looking for people who will be able to work with technology like its second nature. They want young people who grew up with technology and the truth is, that not all young people do.

Teachers need to bridge this gap by providing access to their students as much as possible and teaching every child the basis of technology use so their knowledge can grow from that. Teachers should provide opportunities to let them discover new possibilities that technology has to offer. If every student has a basic knowledge of how to use technology for everyday life and a knowledge of how to learn more, their future outside of school has a greater potential. 

Statistics:

74% of women and 80% of men have internet access in developed countries.

37% of women and 41% of men have internet access worldwide.

48% of people 15 and older use a smartphone. 

Links to more information: 

www.internetworldstats.com/emarketing.htm 

www.edutopia.org/de-technology-access-resources

http://www.infodocket.com/2013/06/10/new-report-from-u-s-census-rising-internet-use-and-impact-of-smartphones-on-digital-divide/

Digital Natives

I think that learning how to use technology is a lot like learning how to speak a language. For the first few years of ones life, the brain is more capable of picking up on words and making them second nature. Being around people that speak this language constantly makes the brain naturally want to decipher the code. Communication interacting with everyday life helps a baby learn what words mean and how to use them. 

Putting a child in the same setting with technology does the same thing. When they see it being used on a regular basis and are exposed to it they will naturally learn how to use technology. On the other hand, older generations have to teach themselves or be taught how to use it. They will have to put in the effort and time to manually teach their brains something that came naturally to a digital native. 

In the debate I took the opposing side to my beliefs. I have learned that for a lot of people in the older generation have a knack for technology and don't have to spend as much time learning how to use new technology as others. As technology develops it becomes harder for natives to adapt, and it is possible that a non-native could learn easier. A lot of this does depend on how much time each generation spends with technology on a regular basis. A non-native could use technology in his or her workplace more than a native does in school. This could put the non-native above the native in terms of technology fluency.  

Photo credit to Ken Lee 

Photo credit to Dave Winer

This is a link to a great blog about digital natives. The author does not automatically claim that everyone in the younger generation is a digital native. Instead she discusses an idea that they still need to be taught and should in turn be called digital citizens. The author states that children will be able to figure out technology when handed to them, although they should be taught proper etiquette. These "citizens" should have guided assitance. 

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/digital-native-digitial-citizen-stereotype-mary-beth-hertz

Effectively Integrating Technology in the Classroom

Integrating technology can be a great tool if used properly, however when it is used as an addition instead of to enhance the teaching style and collaboration of the students, it can actually be detrimental.Technology should be used as a way for students to share opinions and ideas in a group setting. It can be used to enhance informative projects and give them flair. Smart boards and Ipads can be used to allow students to physically touch things versus listening to a lecture. This is huge for students that learn better by participating rather than watching. However, poor use of technology does little to no good when it comes to better the quality of the education. Technology that does not allow the students to participate or share their feedback and ideas simply takes on another form of lecture. Lecture style provides nothing that targets the students who learn best by hands on projects and conversation.

 Integrating technology is important because students need to learn to use different methods of technology and understand their options for future use outside of school. Technology will adapt and change throughout their years in school. By teaching them how to use it from the beginning they will have the basics down and the adaptations will come easier, preparing them for future changes. Another reason why technology is so important is because it creates higher quality education. As a whole, our society needs better education. We need better teachers and better resources. Technology can provide what some teachers don't have, and enhance what they do have. 

I like using technology to participate in large class discussions. When I have done that it made it easier for me to see the ideas of everyone else and contribute my thoughts freely. This connects a large class in a way that cannot be done without technology. It encourages participation and paves the way for young minds to think and ponder their own thoughts and opinions. This is a huge step for educators. It should be taken advantage of everywhere. 

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  http://www.flickr.com/photos/kathycassidy/Photo credit to Kathy Cassidy

Photo credit to Michael Coghlan