What have I learned this Quarter from Intro to technology in the classroom?

Before I took this TIE-300 class I never know how to use google Drive.  I didn’t know there was such an application to store your documents, photos, make a slide show and much more.  I don’t have to worry about purchasing a USB to save and store my documents and presentations.  I can access my files from anywhere.  

I’ve learned how to give a good presentation to an audience using powerpoint, showing a video from powerpoint and making eye contact.  I’ve really enjoyed learning about 3D printing and it was exciting for me to share with the class what I have learned on it and show them a video at the same time.  

Blogging was new to me.  I would have never considered blogging.  I recall seeing it in a movie and I thought about it for a few seconds but it went away.  I’ve learned blogging is journaling and sharing it to others around the world.  I also found out while blogging is that you can make money from it!  

Twitter was also new to me.  Again, something I would never have done without taking this class.  Twitter will definitely come in handy as a future educator.  I can take what people are sharing on twitter into the classroom.  Millions of people are on it and the resources on education is endless and very informational.  

I learned how to create a video and learning about Marissa Mayer.  Making a video is not as easy as it looks and it does take time to make it with voice, text, pictures and music.  I praise all of those producers out there.  I took for granted watching a video but now I appreciate all of those videos and movies out there.  

Thank you Mr. Cunningham to introducing me to what I mentioned here and many more I didn’t mentioned.  This course has been a great learning experience with technology.  It has pushed me to engage new technology out there and not be afraid of it.  Thank you! 

How does copyright law affect my use of technology in the classroom?

Educators have a responsibility and a legislative mandate to model ethical, legal, and appropriate respect for US copyright  law in their own teaching.  Educators must also educate the next generation about the importance and requirements of intellectual property law.  We as teachers of all levels have the responsibility and the legal obligation to model appropriate respect for copyright and educate students about how they can do the same.  

As technology grows and changes, I need to be aware of laws of copyright protection and how they apply to me.  The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) state that you cannot place copyright work on the internet where it can be shared in a google search.  DMCA which changed net copyright in many ways.  It puts all sorts of legal strength behind cipy-protection systems, making programs illegal and reducing the reality of fair use rights.  To read more on the DMCA please click on this link  on copyright.

An excellent place to start understanding the US copyright is to visit the US Copyright Office, online at www.copyright.gov. 

According to Wikipedia, the TEACH Act was signed into law educators and students were at a disadvantage with respect to the materials they were allowed to use and the way in which these documents were presented through the online learning environment.  

Teachers must remember a simple rule when it comes to the net - If you didn't write it, and you want to reproduce it ask the creator.

What is media literacy and it's importance

Media literacy is a 21st century approach to education.  

Media literacy as defined by the Wikipedia is an education that provides tools to help people critically analyze messages, offers opportunities for learners to broaden their experience of media, and helps them develop creative skills in making their own media messages.  This could be analyzing the meaning of a speech, poem, news article, television show, or even video games.    

Media literacy can empower students to interact positively with their peers and society.  Tools such as; get objective new, investigative reporting, solve problems and highlight issues for someone to take it up and can help high-risk youth develop more responsible decision making skills.  Students must develop the right tools with which to interact because media literacy can help promote positive attitudes toward learning and help provide an effective means of conveying ideas and information.  Media literacy will show students how to use the media as a tool for life-long learning.   Here is a list of an importance of media literacy on this link from Center of Media Literacy.       

New approaches are required when teaching media literacy.  It is important for teachers as for students to become aware of the media’s power and influence.  The effects of media literacy have proven positive in studies across various disciplines concerning various subjects.  It is incredibly important that we keep ourselves, our children, and our society media literate in order to counteract the possible negative influences media may have on us.  It is important to be media literate, much like it is important to be traditionally literate.  To read more on the importance of media literacy, Mark Hannah wrote a good article you make read.