Final Thoughts

When I signed up for this technology course I was a bit nervous about what we would be doing in class. I feel comfortable using basic programs on my computer, but before taking this class I had never used or heard of many of the programs that we explored. I found all of the exercises we did to be extremely useful!

• Google: I had no idea how many different resources were available on Google. I enjoyed working on the ichat to communicate with my partner about the video project. I would also like to take advantage of Google documents. I like this program because you can interact with others on a project. Working with this program on the first day of class made me think back to how useful it would have been during college. It seems amazing to me how you could use the Internet and collaborate with partners from all over the country to create a project.
  

• Podcasts: The amount of podcasts available on iTunes was a bit overwhelming at first. I had no idea that this resource existed. I really enjoyed our podcast assignment because it showed me how I could use these video and audio clips in my classroom. The podcasts that I found are definitely things that I plan to use in my classroom.

• Shutterfly: I have used other photo programs online, but this was my first experience using shutterfly. Creating the photobook was one of my favorite activities. This is a project that I could use with my students to document the things we are doing in class. It would also be a tool for me to use as an educator to document the things I am doing in the classroom.

• You Tube Video. The video assignment was the most challenging and frustrating task that we did in class. I love our end product because I know how much work we did and how much help we needed to get it completed. I can see how my students would feel this same type of accomplishment after making a video in class. Before taking this class I had the goal of creating a video with my students but I was a bit nervous to get it started. I feel much more comfortable and excited to try this with my first graders.

• WebQuest: Webgarden was an excellent program to explore. It provided very clear step-by-step instructions and useful hints. It was very time consuming to create the webquest, but I am excited to try it with my class. This is a very creative and interactive way to explore a topic. I also enjoyed searching the web to find other webquests to use in class.

I really enjoyed the computer class. I feel that I am walking away with a huge toolkit of ideas to try with my class! I am very excited to bring these ideas back to school and explore the programs that we have available on our campus.

Chapter 2: Abundance, Asia and Automation

Chapter 2 Abundance, Asia and Automation

Introduction

• Middle-class of the 1970’s.The goal was to go to college
• Professional jobs were obtained by attending higher education courses
• Traditional gatekeepers: PSAT, SAT, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT. Success is determined by answering questions in a timed situation.
• This system rewards left-brained thinkers.

• Trend is shifting towards right-brained thinking

Abundance

• An abundance of discount stores that offer goods at lower prices.
• A new standard of living where everything is in abundance.
• Designs and products that are available to all. Ex. Designer toilet brushes, major designers now selling goods at chain stores.
• A new focus on spirituality, purpose and meaning verses a struggle to get by day-by-day.
• Pink’s Big Question: Candles. Why do people still buy candles if we have electricity?

Asia

• Knowledge workers face competition from outsourcing.
• Computer programs are replacing traditional jobs:

• Big idea. Taxes. How many people make an appointment to see an accountant verses logging onto an online tax program? What will happen to all of the accountants?
• The difference in salaries paid to US workers makes it more of an advantage to outsource to other countries. Why pay someone$1,000 when you can pay only $300 for the same outcome?
• Outsourcing is a great way for companies to cut on costs, but how are workers going to adjust to keep their jobs?
  

Workers must transition to right-directed thinking in order to compete in the job market. What skills or talents can they offer?

Automation

• The legend of steelworker John Henry. The man that was outdone by a machine.
• The machine was faster and can recover more quickly.
• 

Man vs. Machine

• Computer vs. man in the game of chess.
• Chess is a game of left brained thinking: memory, analysis and reasoning are essential skills.
• Computers can complete the left-brained task faster and without the interference of human error:
• Headaches, emotion, fatigue, margin of error, etc.
• Routine type of jobs can be completed faster and with more accuracy when done by computers.
• The effects on white-collard workers:
• The changing role of doctors: online programs now available as a way to diagnose and determine a treatment plan.
• The changing role of lawyers: online programs to seek legal advice. The ability to access and download legal documents.
  

Office Visits vs. Online Programs

• You must make an appointment
• Office fees per visit
• Fees for time spent by lawyer preparing documents ∑ Available to anyone online at anytime

• WebMd for health advice about symptoms
• CompleteCase.com
• Lawvantage.com
• (Pink pg. 46)

Conclusion
To compete in the technological world, workers must excel at tasks that cannot be done by computers. To compete, individuals will have to transition to right-brained ways of thinking and performing.


Pink, D.H. A Whole New Mind. New York: Riverhead Books, 2005.
John Henry
www.postalmuseum.si.edu/.../BIGjohnhenry.jpg
May 10, 2008

Copyright Assignment

Looking through each of the copyright links made me realize how little I knew about using, publishing and sharing material. It is important for teachers to understand how they can appropriately and legally use resources in the classroom.

I liked the Fair Use chart on the Fair Use and Guidelines page. This chart helped to break down how to apply Fair Use to different types of materials. I think that educators need to be more careful about reproducing and sharing materials that are used in the classroom. One important guideline mentioned on this page was to aim to use only the necessary amount of information as possible.

Another important issue addressed on the Fair Use and Guidelines page was the place of ethics in regards to copyright infringement. Teachers need to realize that using the defense of “It is for educational purposes” is not a blanketed right to use and reproduce copyrighted materials. If we are going to hold our students accountable for citing sources and not plagiarizing, then we as teachers must learn how to monitor our own practices. I found the Fair Use and Teachers section extremely informative. I think that teachers need to be better informed about how to protect themselves from violating copyright laws. Perhaps this would be a great topic for a Professional Development day.

One interesting point discussed on the Keeping it Legal page was the issue of the boy using a surf picture in his class project. Though it would fall under Fair Use for him to use this picture in his report, it became a new issue when the teacher decided to publish the report on the web. Jamie McKenzie brings up the important issue about how to manage and protect information being viewed on web pages. I think that he offers very practical advice at the end of the article when he advises teachers to request permission to use resources. McKenzie also brings up the importance of teaching our students to respect the work of others. This issue receives a great deal of attention when it comes to sharing music files over the Internet. We must teach our students to honor the rights of individuals.

The Stanford page provided a great deal of information about copyright issues. I found the section on reproducing text materials particularly important. Also, I had no idea about the rules for the reproduction of music.

I took the Shakedown Cruise at Copyright Bay and found the quiz to be very thought provoking. I had to really think about my answers and there were several questions where I found myself opting for the safest choice rather then the correct answer. As a teacher, I need to be familiar with fair use and copyright laws so that I can help my students learn how to use information found on the Internet safely.