Past two weeks reviewed major trends and issues, such as learning 2.0, trends in education and society, and online rights and safety. Establishing a good reason for why one should incorporate Web/social media to teaching or learning is a must.
The following question doesn’t have correct or wrong answers, but naïve or over simplified arguments must be avoided:
(1) What is your perception/knowledge of the Web as teaching (or learning) tools now and why? (2) Assume that you are recognized for your knowledge in web/social media at school (or work), and have been charged by your boss to improve digital literacy and web/social media use. Many employees have concerns about privacy, internet rights, and copyright infringement.
Answer each question using contents from the previous weeks and knowledge you have gained. Your answer must be backed up by relevant materials/resources (about 1/2 page, single line spaced – see an example below). Reviewing related materials can greatly help (50 points total).
- Clear and concise capturing of major benefits/strengths of the Web for teaching/learning (30%)
- Use of relevant materials (minimum 2) to support views (30%)
- Flow and cohesion (20%)
- No naïve or over/rosy-generalizations (10%)
- Accuracy of grammar and spelling (10%)
Example:
My understanding of the web as teaching tools is that tools, such as xxx are readily available for teachers to use in the classroom as well as outside the classroom. They can motivate students more with resources that show the application of contents, and engage students into active and reflective learning. For instance, Brown and Adler in their article, entitled Minds on Fire, show many web projects where teachers make the best use of resource-based, inquiry oriented, and cooperative learning environments. Unlike past teaching that heavily relies on textbook and knowledge transmission (as seen in Wesch’s video, Machine is Us/ing Us and Information R/evolution), web tools provide greater opportunities for students to search, share, and discuss related materials easily and publish work in view of audience outside the classroom.
Richardson (2009) also points out, work remains after the course and these artifacts can work as resources for future students as well as their portfolio that can grow over time… However, care must be taken for online safety (or identifies) because xxx indicates that students are using popular social networking tools with little parent or teacher guidance… Unless teachers pay attention to the issue of fair use and the existence of sources (can add related sources, such as Creative Commons) to support your view or as a resource), students may impinge on copyright without knowing or reinvent the same work ….
webtoolsforclassroomblog 
My understanding of the web as teaching tools is that describes World Wide Web sites that confirm user-generated content, usability, and interoperability and also how to make ideas and facts easier and clear for others to understand such as Google search which is easily available for teachers to use in the classroom or they can use it outside the classroom. It can encourage students more with resources that show many sources for the application that they want and engage students to search in their own learning. For example, UTech in his article, consisting of interpersonal computing, Web services, and Software as a Service that display many different web projects that allow for teachers to present the best use of education methods. Unlike past teaching that hard to learn because most of education sources depended on the textbook and knowledge. Some people in the past had difficulty with learning because they have no money that allow them to continue in their learning such as textbooks need more. Richard P. (2008) also indicates out, Web 2.0, are creating the conditions for the emergence of new kinds of open participatory learning ecosystems 23 that will support active, passion-based learning. That’s means students are using public social networking tools without their instructors guidance. Unless teachers must pay attention to the issue for using these web or media of sources and they can give students real sources that relate to their learning. Overall, my perception and knowledge of the web as teaching (or learning) tools now is very useful tools which help us with a new technology which can make our education is very easy to learn
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Using the web as a learning tool is a good thing. People can do both formal and informal learning by using different sources from different places online. Salman Khan (explaining from his Ted Talk) found out that when he was tutoring his nephews, they liked it better when he was using Youtube videos for tutoring them instead of doing it face-to-face. It has since then grown into an entire website that allows teachers to track their students in how they do and allow students to learn at their own pace. This, as Khan explains, also allows the kids to learn without being embarrassed by the other kids and allows adults to relearn what they ‘should’ve’ learned back when they were in school. This is only one of the many tools that are available to help people learn online.
Of course, there is always the problem about being safe online, what one can and can’t do, and the question about whether one is using something that is an infringement of copyright. There’s a lot to be concerned about and rightfully so. There have been many people whose info has been taken, private info made public, and so much more. One way, according to “’Real Names’ Policies Are an Abuse of Power”, using a fake name instead of your real name can help protect one’s self from unwanted attention online. Also, for what one should and shouldn’t post, if one doesn’t say it to a person face-to-face, it shouldn’t be said online. As to avoid copyrighting others, one needs to study copyright laws in order to make sure that said laws aren’t being violated. This is the best advice one can have so that one can be safe and respectful online.
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My idea of learning or teaching using web is really helping improve the efficiency of teaching and learning. But it also having problem by the meantime such as concerns of copyrights or privacy. Not only cell phone (Malte Spitz) company is watch what you are doing as well as ISP (internet service provider) is watching. Even the tool you use is watching. As some people may really care about their privacy will really concern about their personal information. It’s not just SSN, IDs, it’s more about how a person is, what the person do, and what they like. Web does really helps to teaching and learning such as teachers can post all the materials online and students only need to read the materials and do the homework online. As well as the students can read the materials everywhere with internet and on any equipment such as PCs or tablets to read the materials.
Concerns about privacy is right that many companies try to collect customers’ information. To protect privacy, I will use software that will not collect information as much as possible. As avoid using tools that may leak information. Copyright is really a big thing on the internet. What you posted on the internet, it can be seen by another one but they may not cite the resources. But using media which is attached to generous copyright licensing will avoid the copyright problem. “You may not need to ask permission to use them when publishing on the Web for educational purposes, you should cite or attribute these images to their creators unless otherwise notified.” (joycevalenza) It’s really important to guide students when using internet tools. There’s too much information spreading on the internet and some may have bad influences on students.
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As far as the web and my understanding of it, I feel that teaching tools such as Keynote or Dropbox are widely two of the most used tools by teachers in and outside of the classroom. With Keynote teachers can educate their students on how to create presentations with interactive technology. With the advancement of technology being integrated into the work place, basic presentations are deemed boring and pointless. With Keynote presentations become interactive with data pop ups, interactive charts and graphs, and animated pictures. This has changed my perception of web teaching tools because I can use this knowledge to better prepare myself for business meetings or job interviews.
Ways that I would be able to improve social media use and digital literacy and web use without infringement is to note the reliable sources that I used. I could also use a fake alias. According to “Real Names Policies are an Abuse of Power” you can use fake names to protect yourself from people coming at you for using their files and notes. This could prove very useful if you don’t want to go through the extra process of preparing source guides. Since peoples information is very valuable to them and no one wants to go through the process of being accused of infringement, the safest way to prevent this is taking the extra time out to actually put in the extra work and find the sources that published the information that is being used or will be used.
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The way children around the world learn today is vastly different than the way that generations have learned before us. Yet, the way we learn is not just limited to the children of today, but it affects everyone. The world’s knowledge extends no further than the tips of our fingers. With readily available knowledge on the Internet, learning has evolved from textbooks and scantrons to interactive, collaborative working and learning environments. Websites such as schoology.com have vastly changed the way children interact and learn in the classroom. Dr. Becky Takeda-Tinker, the global campus presidents of Colorado State University says “Working with schoology presents a unique opportunity for us to enhance our students’ learning experience to facilitate their success.” This means that children are no longer subject to a listen and learn approach to knowledge. Rather the more effective method of being able to interact and question the information that is being presented to them. Having children question the information presented to them allows us as a society to move forward because our children challenge the status quo, moving technology, research, and innovations forward.
While education has made a shift toward being collaborative in an online setting, security of sensitive information has become increasingly vulnerable. To combat those out there from getting our information and using it for personal gain, many education websites such as Google for education make sure that the people using their produce are completely secured. With the right combination of security and availability, our younger generations will be able to propel the human race further than anything we can imagine.
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My understanding of the web as teaching tools is that tools, such as smart boards, wiki, keynote, and google docs are very useful and available to students and teachers. Using these programs can be very beneficial to students because this new generation is always on the web. This generation is learning at a young age with the use of tablets and cell phones and less with books and paper. Unlike like before when you would buy a textbook and take it to class now you just carry the same tablet to every class with an e-book. Implementing learning with the web can also be very beneficial when it comes to searching for a job. More and more companies are posting their job openings online as well as applications. It is also very helpful to be able to learn about the company through the web which better prepares you for an interview.
A huge setback on using the web is that no one has to memorize what they learn because looking up something they had forget only take seconds. Also privacy and copyright can be a huge problem. Cyber bullying is a huge problem that no one can seem to address directly because its so new. Being able to stay hidden with by using a username to hide behind when doing so. There is also the problem with privacy once you have written something or have made a mistake it is always on the web for millions to see all around the world. That can set back people when looking for a job now that companies will look through the web to see what you have done or to see what kind of person they are about to hire. There can be many ways the web can be used to enhance the learning and abilities of this generation but there also many ways this generation can be set back because of it as well.
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I currently work as an administrative assistant at a municipal/civil engineering firm. We have about 150 employees all spread out in about 7 offices in Illinois and Indiana. Lately, we have been using the Web as both teaching and learning tools for the engineers, CADD operators, GIS department, and even our clients. We have three offices that have been set up with the latest technology and have the ability to present to multiple offices via Skype. These presentations are live, but can even be recorded to be viewed later by those who could not attend or view it live. It’s a great way to teach many people at one time and saves the company money.
Additionally, Web-based classes for school also have multiple benefits. For some people, F2F classes just do not fit one’s lifestyle, but they would still like to take classes on their own time. This allows many people to continue their education without time/location constraints. This can also work against some because the lack of F2F contact from a professor and/or classmates may take away from the learning experience that some people appreciate. I think it all depends on the person and topic to be learned.
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I currently work for University Technology as a support center technician. I am able to teach people how to work/fix simple technology over the phone as well as 1 on 1 if needed. I know pretty well on how to teach to others as long as I know the software, website or issue occurring. I have always been a person to always be working with technology. I always had a computer when I was a kid and in my middle/high schools I always worked with computer programs trying to find another trick or tool to one-up the rest of the students to prove I knew how to work with that set device. I also got a majority of my teaching skills when it comes to my IDT classes throughout the past two semesters. This makes me very savvy in taking in and releasing information about technology.
I like to use the web in everything I do as much as possible, I want to make sure people take in information in the easiest way that works for them. I think Google is honestly the easiest and the best way to bring in students into the web-based classroom. I would try to bring in Google applications at least once a day in order to bring the class to a well thought out classroom.
Fortunately when it comes to copy infringement there are many sites that are able to trace use of not using a students own words, documents and pictures. Within my classroom I would make sure there is a zero tolerance when it comes to copy infringement. I would let students know they can come to me a day or so before the assignment is due and I can go through and scan their document to see if there is anything that would be considered copied from someone else. This brings the student to be comfortable to bring their work to me and I would have a no judgement policy when it comes to bringing the document at that set time if it does not go over 50% of the document being copied. I would also have this policy within my work field. I would have a seminar that would break down what is allowed when it comes to ‘taking other documents’ and what isn’t allowed. I would make a cheat sheet that would help people find ‘free’ photos and documents that are up for grabs. I would also encourage people to make their own photos or to ask people that are able to design photos to do so.
I would also have a two strike policy where I would give people in order to keep copy infringement to a low. The first strike would be a warning and they would have to retake the seminar in which explains the rights and wrongs of copying. The second strike would ban them from publishing on their own but they have to have someone scan it before they are able to publish.
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