Weekly Reflection #11 EDTL230.2008.M008

This week in EDTL we looked at the issues with integrating technologies into the classroom. This mostly has to do with Fair Use/Acceptable Use/Software Piracy, The Digital Divide, and Freedom of Speech/Privacy Issues. The group was very clear and professional in terms of how they handled the addressing of these issues. The legal guidelines are essentially concerned with the misuse/piracy of their software. It is important for educators to be cautious with what software they use in their classroom because using illegal software, whether consciously or not, can cost an educator their job. Piracy is a big issue for companies such as Microsoft, Adobe, etc. and they are willing to bring down the iron fist on those caught using or distributing pirated software. Another issue that educators must be aware of is the issue of students’ privacy on the Internet. An educator must contact their administrators/school board before even considering the construction of a class website. After that, the educator must contact parents to make sure that parents approve of their students pictures/video being displayed on the Internet. I feel that it’s unfortunate that these precautions must be followed because of the environment in which we live today. However, I realize that the students’ must be protected and that it is our job as responsible educators to protect them.