My Introduction
Hello everyone; I going to switch the suggested order and start with providing paragraph 2 first.
I’m Terry and this is my eighth MET course. As a post-secondary support services assistant working with students and staff in the Educational Technology Centre of Okanagan College’s IT Services department in beautiful sunny Kelowna, B.C. I experience almost daily the dilemmas of our users when it comes to integrating technology in all its forms into their teaching and learning. I originally hail from the Maritimes (that area of Canada that was totally snowed under this winter) which may or may not explain my idiosyncrasies. I also had a previous career working in both public and post-secondary libraries so that can be partially to blame for my excitement in seeing my dear old friend; most likely my first love – literally, the Oxford English Dictionary, highlighted in Module 1. Flipping through the pages of a paper bound version in 20 + volumes was akin to being an explorer not knowing what fascinating tidbits of knowledge would catch my eye.
I am also an artist with a BFA which is why my chosen image ‘that speaks to the issues’ will be inserted on the weekend. You just can’t rush an artist.
I do have to jump right in though with a few comments on the Prefatory Materials provided.
- I would be open to a discussion on Snyder’s views /example on writing technology and the so called associated ‘kinds of thinking’ as mentioned in our Course Overview. I’d like to read what she has to say about such influences as adults such as instructors on learners and budgets.
- I was intrigued by the phrase “computerized writing tools” thinking it could be read as computerized _writing tools or computerized writing _tools. Change of meaning? (from our Course Overview)
- Intellectual Property and Protection of Privacy (under Course Texts). Your rights and your responsibilities: “…you may choose not to participate in any activity that requires you to post your personal information (e.g., an assignment) on a server outside Canada”. Surprising, I don’t recall seeing this statement in any of my other courses. We’ve had this discussion at our college and I’ve also seen other social areas (health care) wrangle the pros and cons to this issue. Maybe I’m too Canadian. These days I don’t see a lot to promote the ‘Made in Canada’ self-esteem. Are we eroding our Canadian identity? Is it a matter of everything on the other side of the fence looks greener? Could we not reverse that ideology and have others come to us? In keeping to this side of the fence, would we not be providing employment for people on Canadian soil? My thoughts are not engraved in stone so I’m open to discussion.
And a big THANK YOU to those classmates who are sharing their knowhow on web blogs. This is my first one and I certain appreciate it.
I’m looking forward to what lies ahead for us in this course.
Terry
Welcome Terry, I appreciate you willingness to start the discussion. Nice observation on “computerized writing tools”
Hey Terry,
Nice to see you in this course too.
I found point three to be a surprise too. It’s not common to find an opt-out in courses based on the source of the storage. It really made me think about how that is important and how laws in other places can influence how our information is used. So a little different of a direction.
-Bryan
Interesting points you’ve raised. At my school we are having discussions about student information being held on outside servers as well. For example doing online assessments rather than paper ones.
I also haven’t read about opting out in my other courses. I wonder if privacy will be as big a concern in the coming generations as they have lived their whole lives in ‘glass houses’ with Facebook, instagram, twitter, etc. Many students have had only personas since day one.