ETEC 565 E-Portfolio

Here are my insights about educational technology along the way…

On Social Media

Public and Private: Student Work

When students create work in public spaces, it is hard to keep that knowledge in a vacuum. With the power of networking some of these spaces afford, the ability of student to share their answers with each other increases. The issues of plagiarism become a concern for the educator. However, should the educator see it from that point of view, they will find the use of social media very frustrating. The point of social media is that it is “social”, therefore as educators plan lessons or units they should keep this in mind.

How can they use the “social” aspect or the “public” nature of these spaces to their advantage. For example, a student reflection is very hard to plagiarize because level of thinking and individual opinion is not something that can be easily replicated. The thought process beforehand is very important because social media does push the ideas of public and private especially in the space of a classroom.

Ownership and Responsibility: Shift?

The curriculum design contributes to the shift we find when we discuss the notions of ownership and responsibility. If the log is used as an e-portfolio it can generate a different sense of ownership than a class wiki site. The variety and range of the different functions of social media can change the way students’ sense of ownership and responsibility over their work. Depending on the type of the task, it can generate a different outcome.

Benefits and Drawbacks: Inviting the World In

The benefits of social media is its ability to be social with people outside of the world of school. It’s drawback is also the same feature. With the ability of social media to connect with people from all different place, the educator needs to understand it is not just happening in the classroom. Students are being exposed to the same community when they get home and turn on their MSN or log into their facebook. With this awareness of the change in the modern student’s lifestyle, one can truly understand the importance of teaching the proper use of social media. Social media has its drawbacks but they are the same drawbacks as the students would experience on their own in their own time as well.

The education of parents and students regarding web safety is vital before an educator begins her technological ventures. As an educator, we cannot ignore the challenges of using the educational tools in the classroom. As a responsible teacher, the educator should provide some knowledge of web safety. I think that is the part that is often overlooked. Parents often see social media with a negative connotation because of all the stories that make it onto the news or in their daily lives. The negative aspects of social media are often portrayed in the media and this can often influence a parent’s decision regarding their child’s use of such tools.

Awareness and education are important to this time and age regarding technology if we are to bring it into a school system that hasn’t really undergone massive structural changes.

On Blogging

A parent has the right to be concerned about their child’s education if they feel uncomfortable with it. As a responsibile educator, one should not see the parent’s reaction as negative but as something positive. They only react because they care about their child. Who in the right mind would say that was wrong? If I was a parent and my child was working with blogs, I would want to know more about the situation. What is the educator doing to protect my child at school? I don’t think the parents are unreasonable if someone can tell them the risks and explain the situation carefully. If the parents know that their children are being educated in internet safety and the skills of the current society, I don’t see why they wouldn’t agree to this educational tool in the classroom.

Students should used blogs in a public space but with the right awareness taught to them. It can certainly be justified because blogging skills are very relevant to the world we live in today. Outside of the classroom, student engage in social media but perhaps parents are not aware because they haven’t grown up with the same concept of communication and technology. Just recently with the Michael Jackson memorial, the use of social media like blogs are a way to express to the community a sense of mourning and brings out a sense of humanity. Looking at CNN and their use of blogs now show there is a need for our students to familiarize themselves with this tool. If educators can step into the shoes of a parent and realize what their concerns are and address them clearly and effectively, it would really help them see the educational value of blogs.

Ignoring the parents are not educationally sound for a responsible educator. Rather, they should see this as a sign that parents DO care. How often have educators wished that the parents of their students care more about their children’s education and support them?

Parent participation is vital to the process. Since blogs are a bridge between the student and the world outside, the parents should be aware of this connection. They should be educated as well on the advantages and challenges of using blogs in the classroom. However, I am sure the educator can explain the pedagogically sound reasons why it would add to the learning experience. It is important to involve the parents because once they are made aware, they can also give additional support at home to make sure proper use of the Internet or blogs are happening as well.

I guess what I want to say is blogging may have a place and educational value in a Math course. Whether or not an educator can fit it into regular lesson activities is the choice of the classroom teacher. The options blogging can have for documenting the thinking process behind the mathematics can be seen as meeting the curriculum objectives. Perhaps, blogging can be used as an option for students to represent or reflect on their understanding of the content you teach in class or it might not.

Whether or not it is extra marks is not the issue, i think the discussion is trying to see if social learning can be integrated (educationally sound of course) into classrooms (like Math) using tools like blogging and seeing what options (if there are any) educators have with social media.