Monday, October 27, 2014

Week 4 Reading

      #4     
           Chapter eight, again, emphasizes the importance of teachers knowing how to use technology in class.  We now know the value and the many strengths technology can bring to the classroom, to aid in easier and more engaging learning for the students, while making this teaching process easier for teachers.  However, the technology also comes with responsibility and a code of conduct.  It is the teacher’s job to enforce a code of conduct.
            The beginning of the year would be an ideal time to introduce the technology along with the teacher’s expectation of how the technology should be treated.  In September, as a teacher, I will give a short educational/moral lesson on creating passwords that can’t be easily hacked, along with viruses and hackers.  Correspondingly, I think it may be beneficial for each student to sign a contract, symbolizing they understand what their expectations are when dealing with classroom technology.  I would also the contract rules in the classroom near certain technology as a reminder of what they agreed to in the contract.
            Along with my lesson of conduct with technology it would be very beneficial to go over the health conditions that are involves when spending a great deal of time in front of a computer.  This is especially important now that children are spending a great amount of time on computers.  I would stress the importance of taking breaks every 30 to 60 minutes, doing this will reduce the risks of many computer related health issues.  Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, along with tendonitis are caused by repeated bending of the wrist when using the computer’s mouse.  Teaching my students the basics of ergonomics will be equally beneficial at the beginning of the year.  However, along with teaching one must be sure that proper ergonomics is available at the school to all students.  It may be difficult for the chair height to be right for every student, or to get the viewing distance at the proper 18-28 inches, or even the students’ elbows at 90 degrees. 

            All things considered, teaching a code of conduct, as well as healthy computer habits is just as important as teaching your students how to use technology.

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