Journal 2

     As a student, I have used Microsoft Word to write countless papers and extensive notes. I have found the editing and formatting tools extremely useful and beneficial. This is the computer software that I have used most throughout my educational experience. I have found Microsoft Word as an extremely valuable tool. I've seen my teachers use the program to write tests and quizzes in a neat manner. Additionally, my teachers have used it to create attractive, appealing handouts and visual aids to use as supplements during their lectures. This has helped students maintain an interest in what is going on. It is evident that Microsoft Word has made the lives of my teachers easier.

     In an educational environment, I have witnessed my peers adhering to copyright regulations. Since copyright protects intellectual or creative work by requiring that people give credit to the creators of the work, I have seen most of my teachers and peers give citations when using another person's work.  If a student does not provide citations, the teacher usually deducts points from their grade. This further ensures that students are giving the proper credit to the creators of intellectual or creative work. I have also experienced fair use of materials in the classroom since I attended a public high school (non-profit education). My teachers were able to copy materials since it was for a non-profit educational purpose. As CSMI's Best Practices states, "educators need to be leaders, not followers, in establishing best practices in fair use." As a teacher, I plan to place copyright symbols on any work that I create and then pay to legally register the copyright, as the podcast on copyright and fair use encourages. This way, I can protect any of my own instructional materials from being copied by others. When students begin to use the work of others, I will always require that they provide a citation. When students begin to create their own works, I will teach them how to legally protect their work and will encourage them to do so.

     The three issues in education technology implementation listed in Chapter 11 are legal issues, social issues, and ethical issues. Legal issues are those that arise when an educator must uphold legal requirements in order to use technology. Examples of these include copyright and protection of student privacy. Social issues are what educators must keep in mind when introducing technology in the classroom setting. For instance, these can include students' access to technology, students' safety while using technology, and even cyberbulling. Lastly, ethical issues refer to any concerns of technological use in regards to an individual's personal values and our societal beliefs. Examples of these include honesty and freedom of speech. In order to help solve legal issues, I could require my students to provide citations in order to give proper credit to the creators of the work they are using. This way, they are adhering to copyright laws. As previously mentioned, I can also place copyright symbols and register these symbols in order to protect my own work from being copied. This will further help solve legal issues within my classroom. To solve social issues, I can have my students solve a contract in which they agree to not participate in cyberullying. I can then strictly monitor their technology use to ensure that they are using technology appropriately. If students are caught taking part in cyberbulling, I can enforce severe repercussions on them by involving both administration and their parents. To solve ethical issues, I can let all my students know that they are free to express their thoughts and opinions through the use of technology as long as they are appropriate. This way, students will know that the can use their fundamental right that is freedom of speech.