One Techy Bee: Digital World Challenges

Over the last few weeks I've learned quite a bit about how digital tools can transform learning for students, as well as teachers. Throughout this challenge, I have learned how to use Book Creator, SeeSaw, Adobe Spark, and Google maps. Within this time, I have also used some of these new programs in my classroom with my students. The use of these tools have improved student learning and engagement. They respond to a variety of learning styles and making learning so much fun! However, with the many benefits of using technology, we can face some new challenges as well.

Challenge #1 - Student Privacy

In 1974, Congress passed the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) which protects students' educational records. But as teachers turn more towards digital learning, they are faced with new concerns regarding student data and privacy. Although today's students are known as digital natives, it does not mean that they know how to manage online privacy without being taught. Educators/Administrators must help keep students safe.

Here are a few suggestions...

Teach students about the difference between private and personal information.

Rather than preventing students from using online accounts and other tools such as blogging, teach them ways to be safe and monitor their use.

Students can use synonyms for user names, as well as an avatar instead of their real photo. Try using Avatar Maker. See my avatar below!

Teach students to recognize cyberbullying and provide them with tools to interact appropriately on social media sites.

Use apps like SeeSaw as a way to create a digital portfolio. Student work is private to the classroom and it's COPPA and FERPA compliant.

Use search tools such as Bing in the Classroom which ensures that students don't see ads, but also that their data isn't used to create ad profiles.

Here's a simple video that helps teachers protect student data...

Challenge #2 - Copyright Laws

In more recent years, it has become far too easy and inexpensive to share content over the internet. Therefore, another challenge students and teachers face is copyright and fair use. For example, when creating a slide presentation on Google Slides, my students often use Google Images to find photographs of relevant information to insert in their show. Often times, these images are copyrighted and other times, it's unclear. What are some suggestions for this issue?

Here are a few suggestions...

When discussing the topic of fair use with Dana Greenspan (@techniedana), from the Ventura County Office of Education, she noted that educators must consider the 4 Factor Test. These will help you decide if what you are using in your classroom could be copyright infringement.

What is the purpose and character of your use?
What is the nature of the original work?
What is the amount and substance you used?
Would it effect the marketplace?

Be aware of copyright. Don't ignore it. Learn about copyright laws and rights. This document is an excellent resource for teachers. Print this cheat sheet and keep it with your lesson planner! You can download it here: https://www.ocps.net/lc/east/htc/mediacenter/Documents/FairUse.pdf

Check out Pics 4 Learning... It's a free curated image library for students and teachers. All images are copyright-friendly photos and illustrations for classroom projects, web sites, videos, portfolios, or any other projects in an educational setting. Visit: http://pics4learning.comResources

Resources to Check Out

Article - Safeguarding Student Data in a Digital World by Cindy Long on June 29, 2016 http://neatoday.org/2016/06/29/safeguarding-student-data/

Copyright Decision Tool - Helps teachers decide whether they can use print materials, artistic works or audiovisual materials without getting copyright permission. http://www.copyrightdecisiontool.ca/DecisionTool/

Videos for Kids - Use Common Sense Education's video to teach Copyright and Fair Use to your students.

Wrap Up Notes:

I used Common Sense Education's YouTube Channel to help me write this blog post. Check out more awesome videos at https://www.youtube.com/user/CommonSenseEducators. I also enjoyed videos from ikeepsake.org's channel which can be found at https://www.youtube.com/user/ikeepsafeorg. Thanks @techiedana for the recommendations and useful information! Thanks for reading my blog and learning about a few challenges we face as we navigate this digital world.