Module+3+Week+5-6


 * //Reflection Prompt Module 3 Reflect on what you plan to do to address the equity and ethics issues when applying technologies. You may share with us about what you have been doing by addressing these aspects and what you will change after learning in this module. //**


 * Description: ** I feel as if one of the most important things we can do in terms of equity and ethics in the classroom is to inform, inform, and inform. I think if students are made aware of the consequences if they can truly begin to understand those consequences then perhaps they will choose the correct, albeit more difficult path. Whenever students create work for me that is not common knowledge information, like when they write papers I require a Works Cited page or Bibliography page to be included. This used to be a difficult but the Internet and Word Processing has made this task much easier which is good given the importance. I like to share a story about a student in college that was dismissed for academic dishonesty. I try to explain how difficult it is for students to get admitted to new schools given that blemish on their record. I have had students create Works Cited slides on PowerPoint presentations, especially when I taught a technology class during my first year, but I don't have many opportunities at this point in my class due to time constraints to focus on these ideas a great deal in the classroom. In fact, I probably only have 2 or 3 assignments where I emphasize the citation of other people's work.


 * Impact: ** I think teachers really have a difficult road ahead in terms of this equity and ethics. We probably have to spend some more time modeling correct usage in the classroom, taking time to explain the purpose of this practice. If students can begin to see intellectual property the same way they see personal property then they will be more inclined to give credit where credit is due. I think we would all benefit from some type of uniform citation method. In all honesty, I have had to learn three different methods all of which change. As a student of history we were subjected to Chicago style, as a public school student MLA style, and now as a graduate student I am being subject to APA style. If we want everyone to give credit when credit is due, then why do we make it so confusing? I think students and teachers would be more willing to do this if they were not so confused. I remember asking our language arts teacher when I first started what type of format I should use and she was sketchy at best and the reason was because nothing ever stays the same. Now I realize that equity and ethics does not always deal with citing sources correctly, but in school this is probably the biggest hurdle students and teachers will face together. Certainly the downloading of programs and/or music illegally is a problem students might face but in the school setting citation is going to need to be dealt with on a more permanent basis.


 * Intent: ** The overall intent of educators is to get students to understand the importance of completing their work the right way. Students have to understand that other people put in the time and effort to complete these works and just because it is easy to copy and paste does not mean it should happen, the same goes with downloading music illegally. I am going to have to step up my efforts to curb these practices and I am going to have to start citing my own work in class correctly. I will often read out of a book by Howard Zinn and although I state to the kids what book I am reading I have yet to correctly cite the source in correct format. I know I have used other pieces of information from outside sources to add to my presentations and I need to go back and cite those sources correctly. Not only is it the right thing to do it will also show students that everyone is included in this practice not just students.