I have been using Microsoft word since, i’m pretty sure, the first time I used a computer was in first grade. I had computer labs all throughout elementary school and we started with basic typing on word and then progressed to typing games. Later on in my schooling, I had to actually type papers on Microsoft word. Even with all of the new updates all of the information I have acquired, I am still very capable of working with MS Word.
I have never really had any problems with copyright or fair use of materials in an educational environment. I think all of my teachers and professors have been more than fair. As a teacher you can tell if a student copies and pastes or the student actually doesn’t really understand how to cite correctly. My biggest problem with citing is there are so many different formats and different teachers use different ones and it can be very confusing. As a teacher I would spend more time on explaining and giving clear cut examples of how to cite. I may even (depending on the age) do a class activity involving citing and creating a works cited. I think this would be extremely helpful.
Academic Honesty- As a teacher there will always be students that want to take the easy way out. One way to deter academic honesty is to really give good feedback and be very interactive throughout the students work so they do not feel the need to cheat because they believe they can complete the task by themselves. Another good way is to make sure all the students know exactly what you expect so no one feels lost. Also, getting kids interested in the topic they can learn to take pride in their work, which would deter from cheating.
Privacy- I would express to students that in this time and age we tend to live our lives on the net but there needs to be a clear distinction what needs to be kept private. I would start by educating them on past crimes that have taken place due to hackers breaching someones privacy. This would give them context on how people breach peoples privacy. I would also give them clear guide lines on what should be kept private.
Digital Divide- As a teacher I will make sure that I do not give kids homework online if not everyone has access to a computer. I would do this by doing an annomous survey so I could see if every student has access to a computer. I would also designate a few hours a week to bring my students to library or computer lab to help computer literacy. So those that do not have a computer practice the skills they learn in computer class
The most important issue in fair use is really not about the format, but about when to cite and kind of information should we give credit to. Format is simply a series of clear requirements that is easy-to-follow.
ReplyDeleteI think you made a very good point about making students be proud of what they have created.