Technology Use in the Classroom
The
use of technology in classrooms has slowly been incorporated for over ten years
and each year it gets more and more advanced. It is here to stay and while there
are some cons like student distraction, tech disparity, money and training, and
less face to face teaching, the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. Using
technology in the classroom has its advantages because it allows for wider
access to information and instants answers to questions that are asked by
searching the internet. Students and teachers have access to videos and/or
music that can be used incorporated into lessons. Students completing work on
their school laptops give their teachers a better understanding of how they
learn and the teacher can then adjust so each student is successful. Teachers
are also learning more because they are learning how to use all the technology they
are required to teach with. It can also make tedious tasks such as grading a
bit easier. Cellphones are in classrooms and while they are not the favorite of
many teachers for parent’s their children having one does make them feel more
comfortable. Knowing they can contact or be contacted if the need arises or
even find them using GPS if needed gives a sense of relief. To keep cellphones
from being too much of a distraction, many teachers have been doing different
things to make them benefit them. Since so many students are interested in social
media, teachers can use that to their advantage by having activities where students
have to use social media.
It is important that students are kept safe while they are using technology in the
classroom. This is the responsibility of their teacher and also sometimes the
parent or guardian. Getting parents or guardians involved teaching about using
technology safely can be very beneficial. Some other methods that can be put in
place to ensure that students are safe while using technology are to limit what
can and cannot be accessed while they are using technology in the classroom. It
is also important to let them know that the world wide web is not always the
safest place and teach them how to determine if a site is safe to visit or not.
Remind them that cyberbullying, profanity or graphic language or visuals is prohibited
and if they come across any interaction of such nature it should immediately be
reported the teacher or any other adult. Students should be aware that there
are resources they can access to better understand the importance of internet
safety. Teachers should never do what they expect their students not to do. Teachers
should follow the rules of online netiquette and have academic integrity just
as they expect it from their students.
Something students should learn since they will be online and
using technology throughout all their school years is netiquette. Netiquette is
the correct or acceptable way that someone should communicate and behave while
on the internet. It should always be remembered that everyone online is another
a person with thoughts and feelings, act online as you would in real life, make
yourself look good, share your knowledge, respect privacy, be nice, use proper
writing style, don’t attack others, don’t use profanity, and when face to face
with someone stay off electronic devices. It is important that
students learn the rules of online netiquette. If they learn early, they will be
that much more successful when they leave school and begin working. Netiquette benefits
everyone involved.
Academic
integrity in something else that is important to teach students. When it comes
to academic integrity, everyone is expected to be honest and trustworthy. No one
should lie, cheat, or plagiarize. When taking tests or quizzes, students need to
stay honest by not using their computers to help them with answers. There will
always be a point when a student will need to reference a source to help them
with school projects or papers. When this happens, it is very important that they
refrain from plagiarizing. No one should ever use someone else’s words as their
own and not appropriately credit and cite the original author. Students should
be taught how to appropriately credit and cite any work they use by their
teacher. They should also always ask for help if they are unsure if they are citing
correctly. It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to plagiarism.
Parent/Guardian and Student Consent for Technology Use
Dear
Parent or Guardian,
This is a form to gain permission
to allow your child to use the media that will be available in the classroom. The
classroom will use technology such as computers and other mobile devices to
help increase student motivation and achievement. We will use laptops, tablets, and personal mobile devices on the school's wireless network to access online
resources and applications (apps) to help students meet learning goals.
To access many of the online
sources, students will also need to have an email address that will allow them
to create an account with a password. Safety is our number one priority so the
school will provide the email address and no real names will be used.
The use of technology has
become a daily part of school life. It helps with learning and keeping students
engaged. Guidelines must be followed about how to properly use this technology
and we ask that parents and guardians discuss these guidelines with their
children.
Thank you.
Guidelines
students need to follow while using class technology
1.
No sharing of personal information unless
specific permission is granted by the teacher.
2.
Take care of your device and only use the
one you have been assigned.
3.
Cellphones should not be out other than
for emergencies or if the teacher has asked the student to use them for a lesson.
4.
Cyberbullying is prohibited and the student is
expected to let the teacher or any other adult know if they come across interactions
of this nature.
5.
Class technology is to be used for educational
purposes only. Using the camera, video, or chat is not an option unless permission
is given by the teacher.
6.
Devices must be turned off as soon as the
teacher asks.
7.
Only print with permission from the teacher.
8.
Do not make changes to the computer
settings and never download content without teacher permission to avoid malware.
9. The student will follow the class's netiquette
and academic integrity rules.
STUDENT: I understand and
will follow the guidelines for use of electronic devices during school and
class time. I understand that breaking any of the guidelines could result in
the loss of my technology privileges. Based on your school’s code of conduct
other disciplinary actions may be taken.
PARENT / GUARDIAN: I
understand that my child will be responsible for following the guidelines when
using electronic devices in school and during class time. I have read and
discussed the guidelines with him/her and he/she understands the duty he/she
has in the use electronic devices. I, ______________________________, agree for
my child _______________________, to use (Parent / Guardian Name(s) - please
print) (Name – please print) (PLEASE CHECK ALL THAT APPLY) Local school network
(school owned desktop computers, laptops, and mobile devices) Personal mobile
devices Online tools, resources, and apps I understand I may remove my consent
for all or certain activities at any time by getting in touch with the school
principal. ___________________________ Signature of Student
___________________________ Signature of Parent / Guardian(s):
___________________________ Print Name ___________________________ Print Name
___________________________ Date ___________________________ Date
_______________________ Principal Name / School Phone number
References
Cox, J. (n.d.). Pros, cons of technology in the classroom. Retrieved from http://www.teachhub.com/pros-cons-technology-classroom
Lynch, M. (2017, October
24). What are the pros and cons of edtech in the classroom? Retrieved from https://www.thetechedvocate.org/pros-cons-edtech-classroom/
Lucas, R. (2018, April
23). The teacher’s guide to keeping students safe online. eLearning Industry. https://elearningindustry.com/the-teacher-guide-to-keeping-students-safe-online
McGilvery, C. (n.d.). Promoting responsible and ethical digital citizens. Retrieved from https://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/responsible-student-technology-use.shtml
Room 241. (2018, July). Debating the use of digital devices in the classroom [Blog Post]. Retrieved from https://education.cu-portland.edu/blog/classroom-resources/pros-and-cons-of-allowing-digital-devices-in-the-classroom/
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