In today's education technology plays a major role in the learning process. The four main technology issues are Social, Educational, Cultural and Equity, and Legal and Ethical issues. Social issues have fears about how technology can effect ones quality of life, can be overused and misused, and risks that come with social networking. Some say that technology is a threat to ones personal privacy. There are radio frequency identification chips (RFID), electronic monitoring system that can track the location of the chip's wearer (13), can cause worries about privacy. Also, spyware, software that is places on a computer without the user's knowledge for the purpose of gathering information about the user (13), to help with marketing. There are also potential heath issues that come with using a computer, such as hearing loss from using headphone or eye strain from staring at a bright screen (16). With technology at everyone's fingertips, there are fears of Internet addiction and Internet overuse. Many young people today believe that they are able to multitask while using technology. New heath studies have shown that high Internet uses comes along with higher body mass and lowered physical activity (16). Young people also misuse technology by sexting, sending explicit photos over cell phones, or i-dosing, going to sites that induce a state of ecstasy from listening to music (16). Social networking can distract kids from school work and the real world. It also exposes children cyberpron and online predators (16).
Educational issues include lack of technology funding, teacher and student accountability, best practices with technology and reliance in distance education. With the United Stares economy taking a slight spill educational funding was decreased, which means there were fewer dollars to spend on technology. One-to-one computing, allocating a school computer for all students (17), are gaining attention and school must replace aging computers. Teacher are trying to advocate for technology funding, saying that learning benefits that are not yet established. The NO Child Left Behind Act was the beginning pressure for schools to meet the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), progress in meeting criteria that demonstrates technology is effective in schools (17). There state standards in all subjects that students must pass before passing a course. Teachers disagree on the proper roles of traditional teacher directed methods versus student-led methods (17). There is an uproar in students enrolling in virtual school(K-12), but not all student posses that skills it take to be in online schooling. Though it is a wonderful opportunity for students to take higher level courses, some students still need the physical aspect of schooling.
Cultural and Equity issues include the Digital Divide, racial and gender equity, and students with special needs. The Digital Divide is a discrepancy in access to technology resources among socioeconomic groups (17-18). The Digital Dived is more subtle now with smartphones but Internet may be misused at home for noneducational purpose. In certain ethnic groups males are the ones using technology the most. In jobs such as math, science, or technology females, African-American, and Hispanics are using computers less. Educators are seeing unequal technology opportunities for kids who are in Title I programs (18). There is technology for special needs children to give them an equal opportunity, but they are more expensive (18). Schools should provide technology for special needs and disabled children to meet federal laws, but claim there is no room in the budget for the technology.
Legal and Ethical issues include hacking, safety, plagiarism and academic dishonesty and illegal downloading. Hacking is when someone access personal data for a malicious reason (19). Schools install firewalls, software that blocks unauthorized access to the computers (19), and spend large amount of money cleaning up after the illegal activities. Students spend large amount of time on the Internet in school and at home, so there is a higher rate of students being approached by predators. Acceptable Use Police (AUP) outlines appropriate use of school technology for students putting procedures in place to keep students' personal information (19). Because students can now access full texts on the Internet there is more opportunities for them to plagiarize. Schools are making teachers and students more aware of copyright law through AUP (19). There are many websites that offer free downloads but software companies are losing money . Teachers must help students understand the ethical behaviors of using the Internet.
Technology is such a big part of the education system today, and teachers must help students understand proper technology use. Though some school may lack technology they should push the great ways it can help further a students education. I believe that as educators in the 21st century it is our job to help prepare kids for their futures. Using technology in the classrooms can help students understand Internet safety, such as staying away from online predators, and ethical issues such as illegal downloading. While growing up I used technology often in elementary school learning the basics of the Internet and Microsoft Word. Throughout my schooling I learned how to do many different things on computers. I believe that we need to expose children to technology because it will help them in the real world one day. Also, giving students activities based on actual situations may engage them more. For example, in our text book one teacher says she has students look for jobs and houses and have them plan a budget to live on, she then throws different situations at them to throw them for a loop. By the end of the year her students have seen how hard life can be and also learn a great deal about how to live a life. The issues that the book talks about are indeed issues to take serious. Not all students, parents and faculty members are aware of safety or funding issues, and it is up to us to make them aware of what is really out there.
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