Teachers step into schools each day with the intentions of helping students acquire more knowledge than they had the previous day. What to teach is generally dictated by state standards but teachers choose how they are going to teach concepts to students. In the process of developing lesson plans, teachers have to consider if their methods are ethically sound. When using technology in a lesson, such a the internet, teachers have an ethical obligation to preview websites and put protections in place to prevent students from venturing to inappropriate websites. Teachers also have an obligation to monitor the use of technology. Many students know more about the technology they use than the teacher teaching the course. They also know how to hide what they are doing. Teachers need to become skilled at monitoring students as they use technology.
I found this interesting blog about knowledge. The other site is about technology ethics. Just something to think about. I couldn't get them to come up as links but you can cut and paste into the address bar and it should take you to the site.
www.tonybates.ca/2009/03/12/does-technology-change-the-nature-of-knowledge/
http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/tsullivl/304Su01/ethics/handel.htm
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteLiz, because our students are often more computer literate, or at least more computer savvy, than many of us, we have a dual role to play. We have the opportunity to allow students to share their expertise and build some trusting relationships which will encourage students to live up to our expectations. If students know we expect/require mutual respect and ethical behavior at all times, transferring these expectations to digital interactions will not be surprising. Developing a learning atmosphere that has respect and trust as an integral part of the foundation will be a huge benefit as we begin to use technology more frequently in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteThe latest in the workroom uproar on our campus is the websites that have been blocked by the filter system in place. "I can't believe we are not allowed on Youtube!" or "Itunes is blocked and I use it to teach."
ReplyDeleteI agree those sites and other can be very useful when teaching a lesson but not every educator listens to their moral compass and may not check all the content prior to using it in front of the students.