Saturday, June 11, 2016

week #5 Trends and Issues


TREND: Interactive White Boards


“An interactive whiteboard (IWB) is a large interactive display that connects to a computer. A projector projects the computer's desktop onto the board's surface where users control the computer using a pen, finger, stylus, or other device. The board is typically mounted to a wall or floor stand.”

·      Are you interested in this particular topic (e.g., are you interested in virtual schooling and online learning)?
o   The general idea behind interactive white boards is interesting to me. However, upon reading up on the product I see that it can have many downfalls. Besides the obvious initial cost issue, proper instructional training is needed so that the product is being used to its full potential.  This training can be another added cost to the district.

o   As a science major I can see myself using this for several different aspects of education. However, one of the informational links provided for us gave some important things to consider and steer clear of. One of which I found less obvious was “Don’t be the sage on the state”. The benefits of the device can be quickly diminished by improper use. One huge benefit of having an interactive whiteboard is for the students to be interactive with their learning. If the educator is the only one coming in contact with the board the interactive portion is not being used for the purpose of education only convenience.  If you are using the IWB in place of a projector or white board… you are using it wrong and wasting thousands of dollars that could have been used more wisely as you do so.


 



In my opinion, if the whiteboard is actually being used in an interactive way to assist in the lesson by all means use it. If not, don’t waste your money.


If used well an IWB could benefit businesses, schools, college sports and many other areas of life.  Deciding if the cost is worth it is the real issue in any situation.



ISSUE: identify theft


What is this? : the fraudulent acquisition and use of a person's private identifying information, usually for financial gain.

One statistic: Identity protection scans of more than 40,000 children in the United States show that 10.2 percent of those children have had their Social Security number used by someone else, a Carnegie Mellon CyLab report states. That rate is 51 times higher than the .2 percent rate for adults.

The YouTube link below is a video resource on the importance of secure passwords, caution when posting online and safe internet use. Something as simple as a picture of you in your front yard can give a criminal just what they need to steal your identity. 



7 comments:

  1. I think that an Interactive white board could be a useful tool in the classroom if used correctly as well. I subbed in a classroom that I felt did a good job of using their whiteboard. They used it for their morning meeting and it allowed students to do different activities in the morning, such as calendar and days of the week. The students were involved because some of the slides were connected to songs that the students would sing along to. This teacher seemed to use it really well. I have also seen the classrooms where they do not use it at all. If used well I think it could add to the classroom.

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    1. thats great you saw this in a classroom first hand. How were the students interacting with is? how was it different than just a calendar on the wall?

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  2. I agree, when used correctly interactive whiteboards can be very useful. I have been a student in a classroom where an interactive whiteboard was present, and my teacher at the time did not use the smartboard to its fullest potential, she would occasionally use the boards interactive qualities, but for the most part it was used as a normal board. With an interactive whiteboard, there are so many qualities and tools that could help the students learning, so when used correctly I think that interactive whiteboards could make a great impact on the students in the class.

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    1. neat. I've never been in a classroom with one. what was something you did that you think was beneficial to you because it was a tech based interactive activity?

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  3. I agree that IWB can be useful if and only if they are used correctly. Without proper knowledge on them, it is a very expensive piece of equipment that just takes up space and energy in the classroom.
    Identity theft is a scary issue, especially for any student at elementary or middle school age. If we as teacher are going to promote ANYTHING on the internet, we have to be careful and teach them about internet safety as well.

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    1. i agree. i didn't realize how many minors are effected by identify theft. Its scary to think about how a child can be taken advantage of and not know for years!!

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  4. Per IWB, I encourage you all to think about your use of the term "useful". What does that mean? Better learning outcomes? Higher engagement (but you have to define engagement, too, as well as measure it)?

    Per ID Theft, keep in mind how much information is collected from students on these standardized tests, and that data is handled by corporations, not just the district and state.

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