(September 21st)
This week our technology class looked at the following article:
http://www.educationreview.co.nz/magazine/july-2/home-tweet-home/#.VgI9t_mqqkq
It suggests that teachers in New Zealand can use websites like Twitter for microblogging, hashtaging, and keeping in touch with various education resources around the world. Getting involved with social media sites like Twitter allows you to get involved as much or as little as you like. By using hashtags, you are able to group information together, gather various opinions on the topic, and get ideas from people all over the world.
Jude Barback (author of the article above) wants to encourage New Zealand teachers to keep in touch with what is happening in New Zealand education. She took her ideas to Twitter and created the hashtag #edchatNZ. This hashtag allows people to share and discuss any information they like to other people interested in this topic. By creating this hashtag teachers throughout New Zealand and the rest of the world can come together to share their resources, information, ideas, opinions, tips, and any other information in relation to New Zealand education. The hashtag allows all the 'tweets' (or posts) about this topic to be stored in one place for people to view.
While I already have a Twitter account and often use hashtags to keep up with certain topics or information, I have never considered using it for my role as a teacher. It is so easy for us to share our thoughts and opinions with the world online. Twitter can allow us to get a response or a 'retweet' in seconds!! The idea of hashtags could really help future focused and technology using teachers to gather information and share their ideas with others. I will definitely be keeping my eye on #edchatnz and using more hashtags to group my information and thoughts together.
- Renee O'Sullivan
Wednesday, 23 September 2015
Thursday, 17 September 2015
Week Four - Digital Law, Rights, and Responsibilities
(September 14th)
This week our class has been encouraged to look at the copyright laws and rights towards using information, music, photos, and media from the internet. I was interested to find out that using photos or pictures from google images is actually stealing! So many people do this but aren't aware of where the images even come from or who they belong too. I am definitely guilty of taking images for my school projects or even for learning stories throughout my early childhood practice. Due to studying at university, we learn all about referencing and citations within our essays and assignments. I understand the importance of acknowledging somebody else's works if they are not our own. These copyright laws encourage us to think twice about what information we are taking or 'borrowing' from the internet and whether it is actually legal to use it ourselves. In New Zealand, it is illegal to be downloading and copying music and videos. Through our online safety research, it is clear how easily this information can be traced back to your computer and if you are caught, you will be finned.
Copyright laws and regulations have been put in place for a reason but so little of us know what they actually are or how they are being used. Thanks to the organisation Creative Commons, owners of information, images, music, and videos are allowing anybody to use their works. Through Creative Commons we can find information that we can legally copy if we show credit to the author or owner. It allows owners to tell the world their images are free to use without having to go through legal rights and laws.
See article link here: What is Creative Commons?
Also See: Can I download music without breaking the law?
As teachers, it is important for us to be aware of this information and to be teaching children this information at a young age so they know what they are doing and are aware of copyright laws. We shouldn't be copying or 'borrowing' anything off the internet for our own uses without knowing who owns it and where it has come from. By sharing this information with others we will be securing the copyright laws and rights via the internet.
I think it is so important for teachers to be learning this information so we can pass it down to children and students. While in early childhood education, teachers are usually the ones who use the internet, we can act as role models for each other while promoting online safety, security, and laws to young children during its use. I think it is also important for teachers to be aware of any videos they may be downloading for children.
This information has definitely made me stop and think about the ways I use the internet and to make sure I think twice before using an image or information without knowing where it is from. This website http://www.morguefile.co.nz/ allows you to find free images you can use rather than just taking them off google images and not knowing who they belong to.
- Renee O'Sullivan
This week our class has been encouraged to look at the copyright laws and rights towards using information, music, photos, and media from the internet. I was interested to find out that using photos or pictures from google images is actually stealing! So many people do this but aren't aware of where the images even come from or who they belong too. I am definitely guilty of taking images for my school projects or even for learning stories throughout my early childhood practice. Due to studying at university, we learn all about referencing and citations within our essays and assignments. I understand the importance of acknowledging somebody else's works if they are not our own. These copyright laws encourage us to think twice about what information we are taking or 'borrowing' from the internet and whether it is actually legal to use it ourselves. In New Zealand, it is illegal to be downloading and copying music and videos. Through our online safety research, it is clear how easily this information can be traced back to your computer and if you are caught, you will be finned.
Copyright laws and regulations have been put in place for a reason but so little of us know what they actually are or how they are being used. Thanks to the organisation Creative Commons, owners of information, images, music, and videos are allowing anybody to use their works. Through Creative Commons we can find information that we can legally copy if we show credit to the author or owner. It allows owners to tell the world their images are free to use without having to go through legal rights and laws.
See article link here: What is Creative Commons?
Also See: Can I download music without breaking the law?
As teachers, it is important for us to be aware of this information and to be teaching children this information at a young age so they know what they are doing and are aware of copyright laws. We shouldn't be copying or 'borrowing' anything off the internet for our own uses without knowing who owns it and where it has come from. By sharing this information with others we will be securing the copyright laws and rights via the internet.
I think it is so important for teachers to be learning this information so we can pass it down to children and students. While in early childhood education, teachers are usually the ones who use the internet, we can act as role models for each other while promoting online safety, security, and laws to young children during its use. I think it is also important for teachers to be aware of any videos they may be downloading for children.
This information has definitely made me stop and think about the ways I use the internet and to make sure I think twice before using an image or information without knowing where it is from. This website http://www.morguefile.co.nz/ allows you to find free images you can use rather than just taking them off google images and not knowing who they belong to.
- Renee O'Sullivan
Wednesday, 9 September 2015
Week 3 - Online Presence
(September 7th)
This week our class has been encouraged to look at our online presence and "digital footprint". The following readings/articles have really made me have a second think about what people can see about me publicly online.
Article link here: Your Digital Footprint
This article makes us think about what personal information is shared online. How many people can see your full name, address, email address, phone number, birth date, photos, text, personal opinions, any thing you say online? This article also challenges you to google yourself. What information or photos come up? How much information about you is public to anyone and everyone? I have been encouraged to change some of my privacy settings on social media accounts and re-think what photos and media I am posting publicly.
Article link here: 8 Steps To Remove Your Digital Footprint
This article simply gives you step by step tips and guides on how to control your privacy settings on various social media accounts. Again, it challenges us to google ourselves to see what information is out there. We are encouraged to keep our settings private so we know who is viewing our posted information.
Article link here: Protecting Privacy on Social Networking Sites
This article recognizes young people sharing their information online; specifically on social networking sites. I was surprised to find out that a survey done by Oxford Internet Surveys discovered 95% of young teens aged 14 years and older have checked, and are aware of their privacy settings on social media. It suggests that most young people are more safety cautious online than we think.
Personal reflection:
These articles have really challenged me to have a look at my personal social media accounts. Due to running teen camps twice a year, and photographing various stage plays/performances, I often have photo albums public on my personal Facebook account so the community and people involved who I may not be friends with can still see the photos. Today I spent a decent hour going through each of my photo albums on Facebook re-checking which ones were private and which ones were personal. It is important to make sure that the things you want to stay private and between your family and friends stay that way and are not public to anyone who can search for them.
Another thing that made me think is that I have one public Twitter account, two public Instagram accounts, one public YouTube account, and one personal public Blog. While I am aware that these accounts are public, it has made me question whether I truly understand the larger scale of putting these photos and media online for the whole world to see. I constantly google myself so I am aware of what information is shown publicly. If I do not like it, I go and change my privacy settings. When you google my name, I am aware that various photos from my Twitter and Instagram accounts come up. The link to my personal blog is also in the first top 10 search responses. This means I must constantly be aware of what I am posting because anyone can see it. I am always cautious of my personal information being private and I am careful of what words, comments, or opinions I am voicing online.
Yesterday I also took some time to watch the move "Cyberbully" (directed by Ben Chanan, 2015). In this movie, a girls laptop is hacked and over taken by an anonymous user. The hacker gets into all of her social media accounts and starts posting mean comments under her name. The hacker also takes control of her phone, laptop video webcam, and microphone so he can communicate with her, and watch her every move. It is revealed that the girl was a cyber bully herself after setting up an account with a fake name to make fun of other people. While the hacker in this movie was not revealed, the girl was able to see the harsh reality and consequences of her mean words and actions online. It also made me think some more about how easy it is for people to view information about you online. We must be aware of our online presence and the consequences that come with sharing personal information, photos, and opinions online with the rest of the world.
I believe as teachers, we should be made aware of all this information, especially if we are using technology with children. Teachers must be able to promote safety online and know the consequences of sharing information anywhere online. This has given me a lot to think about and I hope I can pass this safety knowledge onto other people.
- Renee O'Sullivan
This week our class has been encouraged to look at our online presence and "digital footprint". The following readings/articles have really made me have a second think about what people can see about me publicly online.
Article link here: Your Digital Footprint
This article makes us think about what personal information is shared online. How many people can see your full name, address, email address, phone number, birth date, photos, text, personal opinions, any thing you say online? This article also challenges you to google yourself. What information or photos come up? How much information about you is public to anyone and everyone? I have been encouraged to change some of my privacy settings on social media accounts and re-think what photos and media I am posting publicly.
Article link here: 8 Steps To Remove Your Digital Footprint
This article simply gives you step by step tips and guides on how to control your privacy settings on various social media accounts. Again, it challenges us to google ourselves to see what information is out there. We are encouraged to keep our settings private so we know who is viewing our posted information.
Article link here: Protecting Privacy on Social Networking Sites
This article recognizes young people sharing their information online; specifically on social networking sites. I was surprised to find out that a survey done by Oxford Internet Surveys discovered 95% of young teens aged 14 years and older have checked, and are aware of their privacy settings on social media. It suggests that most young people are more safety cautious online than we think.
Personal reflection:
These articles have really challenged me to have a look at my personal social media accounts. Due to running teen camps twice a year, and photographing various stage plays/performances, I often have photo albums public on my personal Facebook account so the community and people involved who I may not be friends with can still see the photos. Today I spent a decent hour going through each of my photo albums on Facebook re-checking which ones were private and which ones were personal. It is important to make sure that the things you want to stay private and between your family and friends stay that way and are not public to anyone who can search for them.
Another thing that made me think is that I have one public Twitter account, two public Instagram accounts, one public YouTube account, and one personal public Blog. While I am aware that these accounts are public, it has made me question whether I truly understand the larger scale of putting these photos and media online for the whole world to see. I constantly google myself so I am aware of what information is shown publicly. If I do not like it, I go and change my privacy settings. When you google my name, I am aware that various photos from my Twitter and Instagram accounts come up. The link to my personal blog is also in the first top 10 search responses. This means I must constantly be aware of what I am posting because anyone can see it. I am always cautious of my personal information being private and I am careful of what words, comments, or opinions I am voicing online.
Yesterday I also took some time to watch the move "Cyberbully" (directed by Ben Chanan, 2015). In this movie, a girls laptop is hacked and over taken by an anonymous user. The hacker gets into all of her social media accounts and starts posting mean comments under her name. The hacker also takes control of her phone, laptop video webcam, and microphone so he can communicate with her, and watch her every move. It is revealed that the girl was a cyber bully herself after setting up an account with a fake name to make fun of other people. While the hacker in this movie was not revealed, the girl was able to see the harsh reality and consequences of her mean words and actions online. It also made me think some more about how easy it is for people to view information about you online. We must be aware of our online presence and the consequences that come with sharing personal information, photos, and opinions online with the rest of the world.
I believe as teachers, we should be made aware of all this information, especially if we are using technology with children. Teachers must be able to promote safety online and know the consequences of sharing information anywhere online. This has given me a lot to think about and I hope I can pass this safety knowledge onto other people.
- Renee O'Sullivan
Wednesday, 2 September 2015
Week 2 - Digital Citizenship
(August 31st)
Technology uses I have observed:
On my last teaching practice, I was able to witness a lot of positive technology uses. iPad's were used to show the children videos from YouTube when they were expanding on farm and animal interests. The teachers were in control of the iPad and would only have them out for a certain time period. I also witnessed a teacher showing 2-3 children the process of making a learning story. The children were there when the photos were taken, they witnessed the photos being put onto the computer, then onto a page where the story was written, and finally printed to be put into their portfolios. I believe this was a good process for the children as they were able to learn how things were being done, and how technology was used positively alongside the teacher. I also saw times when child would ask for cameras so they could take their own photos and work out how to use the camera that benefited their own learning.
I have also been on another placement that had a computer where children could play 'educational games' whenever they liked. While this is something I personally wouldn't want in a centre, it was a well monitored activity. Children were allowed to be on the computer 2 at a time and only have 10 minutes each. I found this an interesting experience as everything they were learning through these games (colours, shapes, sounds, animals, counting, etc) could have been done without a screen and through play.
Mind map reviewing digital citizenship:
This week our class took a focus on looking at Ribble's 'Nine Elements of Citizenship'. The nine elements were each displayed with positive and negative uses of technology and its uses for students. Below, I have created my own mind map with the points I feel are most relevant and important for technology uses in early childhood education.
Technology uses I have observed:
On my last teaching practice, I was able to witness a lot of positive technology uses. iPad's were used to show the children videos from YouTube when they were expanding on farm and animal interests. The teachers were in control of the iPad and would only have them out for a certain time period. I also witnessed a teacher showing 2-3 children the process of making a learning story. The children were there when the photos were taken, they witnessed the photos being put onto the computer, then onto a page where the story was written, and finally printed to be put into their portfolios. I believe this was a good process for the children as they were able to learn how things were being done, and how technology was used positively alongside the teacher. I also saw times when child would ask for cameras so they could take their own photos and work out how to use the camera that benefited their own learning.
I have also been on another placement that had a computer where children could play 'educational games' whenever they liked. While this is something I personally wouldn't want in a centre, it was a well monitored activity. Children were allowed to be on the computer 2 at a time and only have 10 minutes each. I found this an interesting experience as everything they were learning through these games (colours, shapes, sounds, animals, counting, etc) could have been done without a screen and through play.
Mind map reviewing digital citizenship:
This week our class took a focus on looking at Ribble's 'Nine Elements of Citizenship'. The nine elements were each displayed with positive and negative uses of technology and its uses for students. Below, I have created my own mind map with the points I feel are most relevant and important for technology uses in early childhood education.
I personally found the making of this mind map more challenging than I thought it would be. I tried three different website/designs before I got it to look the way I wanted it too. The writing was too small and unreadable when using other designs. This has contributed to a wonderful learning skill for me this week. My experience shows that while technology may have it's challenges, it gives greater opportunities to explore and create something in our mind and put it onto paper or online.
I found this blog post 10 Ways To Support Learning Styles With Concept Mapping by Naomi Mihut very interesting because it shows many different visual view points and how we may each have a different way of thinking, planning, or presenting our ideas. I wanted my mind map to look a certain way. I had an idea in my head and could not settle for any other plan. I was determined to keep searching until I found what I was looking for. Because of this, I was able to display my ideas of digital citizenship in a creative, colourful way.
- Renee O'Sullivan
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