What I learned

I learned first and foremost how to use a Mac- or at least that I am capable of learning how to use a Mac. I have always be rather frightened by them, but they just run by a different set of rules so it's only a matter of figuring out a Mac's rules just like I figured out PC's rules. I learned how much work it takes to make a movie and that I do not believe that it how God has wired me. :) I always out an overview of how to use a SmartBoard, which was fascinating.

I would love to use the iMovie in my classroom, but I am concerned about how much time it takes because only a very small part of that would actually be on the course content- the majority would be spent on editing the movie. So, I don't know for sure. I would also love to have a SmartBoard in my classroom and an ELMO, which I've played with a GU and practicum. I will most likely use many of the Web 2.0 applications because they are easy, fast, and more interesting to make and watch than a PowerPoint.

Future of technology

The future of technology is unlimited because technology breeds technology. As people invent more and more complex, powerful, and versatile forms of technology, the horizons of the possible are expanded. Before the invention of the telegraph which prompted the invention of the telephone, no one could have imagined the cellphone. However, as technology advanced, other forms of technology became possible- and that was only one very simple example. Think about the effects of electricity or satellites. Or the wheel.

This impacts me because I need to 1. stay at least somewhat current with the new forms of technology and 2. realize that some forms of technology will be around for a while and some are just a fad. The implications of the second influence the first because I am not going to expend tons of energy trying to stay on top of every new thing when it will fad out of existence shortly anyway. So, I pick and choose and try to discern where ones are worth getting trained in and which are not.

Online Etiquette

Online etiquette is just as important as traditional etiquette because it serves the same purpose. Society has rules for how to communicate goodwill and cooperation through actions rather than words. Etiquette refers to the details of said rules. One could still communicate cooperation and goodwill without following the rule of etiquette, but the message would be received more easily if one observed those rules. Particularly because the risk of miscommunication is high online, following the rules of etiquette because very important because the recipient cannot receive all the other messages of goodwill/cooperation that would typically be sent through body language and other actions.

One rule that I try to follow is to make sure that I communicate with words (either through the way I say them or by outright saying what my emotions/body language is) what they would be able to sense if I was talking with them face-to-face. For example, I'll say, "Oh, yeah, that's exactly what I was thinking! (sarcasm, fyi)" or something so they don't have to guess how to interpret what I was meaning. Also, emoticons are amazing inventions for the same reason, but can be overused. I try to avoid strong language or writing under strong emotion because it can come out the wrong way, or, because I do not see them, I can end up saying something that I don't mean without realizing the impact of my words.

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying occurs when someone under 18 is harassed, threatened, tormented, or humiliated by another person under 18 (when an adult is involved, it is no longer cyberbullying) through virtual mediums (cellphones, Internet, etc.). What makes cyberbullying so dangerous is that it can follow the child around and it is typically anonymous. Old-fashioned bullying was done in person which gave the child some power over the situation because they at least knew who was doing it and could avoid (to a point) interactions. However, cyberbullying leaves the children wondering who the perpetrator is and whether it is actually one of the people who pretend to be one of their friends. Also, unless they rid themselves of technological forms of communication, they cannot avoid the bullying because anyone can call or text them or post slanderous or threatening comments online.

Some sites to help educate students are:

http://www.stopcyberbullying.org/

http://www.bullyingcourse.com/

http://www.education.com/special-edition/bullying/cyberbullying/

2.0 Web Project

The ASSURE project - Glog

http://assure.glogster.com/

My Voki

Academic honesty

Dishonesty in any area of life leaves "tracks in the soul." I don't remember where I got that phrase, but I owe its creator a debt because I use that analogy a lot. Just as one wagon after another crossed the United States and wore such deep ruts in the land that the wagons could not have gotten out of the track even if they had wanted to--for sure not without a lot of damage--so sin wears tracks in a human's soul until they cannot escape without a lot of damage or at all. The problem is that the tracks from sin only lead to death so one way or the other, you'll take a lot of damage. Part of the problem is that sin in any area of life stains all the rest of one's life. So, while academic dishonesty doesn't seem like it would be a huge deal, it colors the rest of life and makes it difficult to be honest in any other area.

I would be upfront with my students about the dangers of academic dishonesty from a moral perspective, but also from a practical one. They will learn to be lazy; they will fail whatever they were caught cheating on; they will establish patterns that will have greater and great consequences as life goes on, etc. I will have a zero-tolerance policy, but make it clear that I will do whatever i can to help them either not have to cheat or recover from cheating. And, I will do my best to not place them in compromising situations where they might be tempted to cheat.