Reflections+on+Technology+Facilitator+Standard+VI

__**Reflections on Technology Facilitator Standard VI: Social, Ethical, Legal, and Human Issues**__

__Self –Assessment__
 * Knowledge that I gained from this reading centered on the most prominent issues facing school technologists: digital equity, privacy of electronic student records, students' online safety, and copyright infringement (Williamson & Redish, 2009). I was especially interested in the information about online safety because "today's students socialize in very different ways that did previous generations" (Williamson & Redish, 2009). Before reading this I knew that social networking sites were popular with teenagers, if fact they foster creativity and provide students with opportunities to read, write, create multimedia products, and enhance their technical skills (Williamson & Redish, 2009). But, I did not realize that the National School Boards Association (2007) suggests that 96% of online teens have used these social network sites, such as Facebook and MySpace (as cited in Williamson & Redish, 2009, p. 128). I have taken unofficial surveys of my classrooms to find that up to 75% of the students have these types of social networking technology interactions. I know that my responsibility as a technology facilitator will be to educate teachers and parents about online saftey and netiquette, and promoting safe and healthy use of technology resources. Just the other day in class, I was able to share specific examples of students that did not think before posting something hurtful on Facebook. I also was able to apply technology resources to empower a learner with special abilities by teaching him and the class how to use the MOBI interactive software that enables a portable smartboard to be used in the classroom. Not only does it help those without specials needs, but it created a way to use technology resources that affirm diversity.

__Learn as a Learner__
 * Many of my technology field-based hours were done while I was a special education teacher, working with student with diverse special needs. One type of instrucment that is being used in our district is the LiveScribe pen that records what you write and what is said. It is then transferable to a computer through a file-based system and transferable to the student and parent through email. This type of technology is perfect to empower learners with diverse backgrounds and abilities in standard VI. I took this approach in learning how to use and then teach others about it was a unique experience because I had never been chosen as a teacher to represent our school as a trainer of teachers. This expereince helped to reinforce my need for interaction and productivity in learning a new task. Who said playing with tools can't also be teaching the tool? While interacting with fellow classmates during the School Law course of the program, I was able to learn quite a lot about policies and procedures concerning copyright, online saftey and other social, ethical, and legal issues with technology in schools. Within the context of my classroom, I was then able to share important guidlines and policies regarding copyright and plaigarism.

__Lifelong Learning Skills__
 * My future learning within standard VI will need to be up-to-date, like Williamson and Redish note, "technologists must constantly monitor and participate in the legislative process...new legislation related to technology in schools is continually evolving" (2009). I will use contacts and other technologist collegues to collaborate and communicate about important policies effecting our everyday jobs and of the advocacy of using healthy technologies. I will continue to be interested in digital equity concerns for students that have no access to technology outside of the classroom because of the importance for our school communities to recognize that the more students have exposure to the positive use of technology, the more they can become advocates of their own future learning. This is helping to facilitate access to technology resources for all students. Ultimately, I would like to help our district and, therefore, my school, to check out laptop computers to all of its students to use throughout their education with the district.

References:

Williamson, J. & Redish, T. (2009). //Technology facilitation and leadership standards: What every K-12 leader should know and be able to do//. Eugene, OR: International Society for Technology in Education.