Technology "Ten Commandments"

As a 5th grade teacher, I am surrounded by students who have access to all kinds of technology (and let's be real... They know how to operate them better than ME.) Students today have smart phones (fancier than mine), personal iPads, laptops, and all are very active on many social network sites. While their parents are the ones providing their children with these resources (which include access to the Internet), I am finding that these same parents are not always teaching their students the correct and SAFE ways to use their technology and the Internet.

After reading many online sources in regards to Technology and Internet "ethics", I found something that I will be using in my classroom to attempt to expose and educate my students to the Ten Commandments of Technology.

Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics http://cpsr.org/issues/ethics/cei/, which I'm lovingly calling the Technology Ten!

1. Thou shalt not use a computer to harm other people.
1. Don't use technology to hurt others.
2. Thou shalt not interfere with other people's computer work.
1. Don't use technology to distract you from your work.
3. Thou shalt not snoop around in other people's computer files.
1. Don't use other people's technology. Respect their privacy.
4. Thou shalt not use a computer to steal.
1. Don't use technology for illegal things.
5. Thou shalt not use a computer to bear false witness.
1. Don't use technology to tell lies about other people.
6. Thou shalt not copy or use proprietary software for which you have not paid.
1. Don't use technology unless you have paid for the things you are using.
7. Thou shalt not use other people's computer resources without authorization or proper compensation.
1. Don't use other people's technology without permission.
8. Thou shalt not appropriate other people's intellectual output.
1. Don't alter anything that is not yours with your technology.
9. Thou shalt think about the social consequences of the program you are writing or the system you are designing.
1. Don't do inappropriate things with your technology.
10. Thou shalt always use a computer in ways that ensure consideration and respect for your fellow humans.
1. Use your technology for good. Always be respectful of other people.

My hope is that my students will know how to be safe and smart when exploring the many resources of the internet with the many technologies they are equipped with. 

Communication is Key

Classroom teachers are "masters of communication", or at least they should be in my opinion. Teachers must be able to fluidly communicate with their students, parents, colleagues, and administration. As educators, we are always looking for ways to make this communication simple, seamless, and current with technological trends. 

As a classroom teacher, I try to communicate with parents multiple ways--mostly to make sure I can get information to them without relying on the ten year old "always forgetful" children that I have in my care every day. 

[Most] parents want to be actively involved in their child's education, so communicating what is occurring in the classroom is important as an educator. I communicate weekly with all of my parents, and daily with parents of certain children. 

I communicate three ways weekly through the following modes:
     1. Classroom Newsletters
     2. Remind 101
     3. eCampus

Classroom Newsletters
I create classroom newsletters to send home with students in their planners on Fridays with information for what is happening in the classroom the following week. The newsletter is honestly a snapshot of my lesson plans. Parents will be given the standards and skills taught that week in Reading, Writing, Social Studies, as well as the Weekly Spelling Word list and the Grammar Skill. I also include in this any important tests or assignments coming up. 

Remind 101
Most parents have phones with texting, so this is a perfect way for me to text parents important information without using my personal number. I use Remind 101 to send home weekly reminders of important tests and quizzes. I also use it to let parents know if I have sent home any information with their child that needs to be seen. Remind 101 is perfect for quick texts to parents about events and things happening at school! Here is the link to Remind 101, in case you haven't checked it out. https://www.remind.com/

eCampus
eCampus is Seminole County Public School's version of Canvas and online courses. This is place where students have access to homework help, tests, quizzes, and online resources that I provide based on the content that I am teaching. Parents can sign up to have access as well, to monitor their child's progress.

Some students require daily communication to their parents. I use e-mail to reach out to these parents. That way, I also have easy documentation to prove that I was being proactive in connecting with parents. 

I have also been looking into creating blog for my classroom as a way for students to reflect on their learning in a way where their parents can see it too. 

I'll leave you with one of my favorite quotes on communication...

“When the trust account is high, communication is easy, instant, and effective.” 
― Stephen R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change

Technology in the Classroom: Words from 2016 Teacher of the Year

As a classroom teacher, technology is one of those things... Either you love it and use it all the time OR you could just do without it. Irregardless of your thoughts on technology, it is a big part of our students' daily lives and should be a big part of our instruction and our curriculum frameworks and plans.

With my personal experience as a classroom teacher, I have experienced a school with LOTS of hands-on, accessible technology for students and another school with little to no types of technology. These schools are both in the same school district with the same standards and academic expectations-- yet there is such a gap when it comes to having accessible technology for ALL students.

In the article below, the 2016 National Teacher of the Year (Jahana Hayes) responds in an interview about technology in the classrooms and how we as educators are unable to "keep up" with the constant changes and trends. I have to agree with Hayes, in that our classrooms are not up to date and our teachers are not being trained to adequately keep up with the always changing technologies. As a teacher, I find myself getting excited about new classroom technologies, but my current school does not have the hands on technology much of the instructional practices require to be performed by our students. Hayes is echoing what I feel as a teacher, when she talks about how we are introduced to new technologies but within a year or two they are gone or completely useless. In the amount of time I have to make myself comfortable to teach new technology to a student, they are out of date or something BETTER is out for use.

Our school districts and schools need to make sure they are on the same page when it comes to using technology in the classroom, like iPads, computers, and other educational softwares. We need to be providing teachers with proper training and tools to feel comfortable with these technologies and how to best use them for student success and growth. Our world of technology is ever-changing, and our classrooms and schools need to learn to move with it.


https://www.edsurge.com/news/2016-08-02-we-don-t-have-resources-to-keep-up-with-technology-2016-teacher-of-the-year-jahana-hayes-talks-to-edsurge