Today we had another guest speaker. We had the pleasure of talking with John Finch. This was not your typical presentation but rather a chance to sit down and ask any questions about technology or about anything we may encounter out in the field. This lead to a very interesting conversation. Two topics really caught my attention.
1. Rights to Music and Movies
- It was very frustrating to learn how teachers are unable to: play the radio in their classroom, music they have bought on iTunes, or any option that requires you to sign into an account, such as Netflix. I still do not clearly understand why teachers are not able to play music or videos they have personally purchased in their classroom. Teachers are only legally allowed to play music or videos when they have been purchased for an educational purpose. This makes me wonder, how so many schools play movies for students on days like the last day before Christmas Break or Spring Break? Are they legally allowed to? If so, what is different about those days? Why only those days? I realize (Mike) that these questions should have been asked when I had the chance but I was still in the initial shock of learning how teachers are not legally allowed to play music or movies when they have to sign into an account.
2. Investing time into learning how to use technology properly.
- John talked a lot about how schools are investing money into technology, technology that a) teachers do not learn how to use properly, and/or b) never actually is set up. It was upsetting to learn that many teachers still do not know how to use the technology their division has bought them. I will admit I do not know many features the SmartBoard offers. Sadly, this is the technology I have most often found in today's classroom.
- In my last placement, the only modern technology the classroom had was a Document Camera. There were no computers, no laptops, or SmartBoard. When I asked my Cooperating Teacher how the Document Camera worked, she answered that she did not know how to use it but that I would be welcomed to figure it out and then teach her. This is one example I have come across that proves John's point about school's purchasing technology that teachers do not take the time to learn how to use.
- This leads me to the question... Why aren't more teachers learning to use the technology provided for them?
Until next time...
~ Miss Laing
Great blog, girl!! I was also shocked by the many laws that we have to follow, that seem so unnecessary! It was definitely good to hear this presentation, so now we are at least aware of the copyright laws. I also liked your comments on technology in the classroom, and how teachers are not confident in how to use the teaching tools right in front of them. Lots to think about!!
ReplyDeleteWho is scared to use technology in the school? This guy!
ReplyDeleteAll kidding aside, I feel John is like an insurance salesman and will tell you the absolute extreme situations. What I learned from John's talk, is I will make sure I check with my administrator's when it comes to technology and what is acceptable. There is a still a long list of things you can when you keep in mind they must be for educational reasons. Just like it should be.
Do not get me wrong here. I thought John's talk was very informative and worthwhile. Due to this talk, I will make sure to take the necessary steps because I don't want to ever have to deal with John or a MTS rep in the future.
Great point Jon, I did not think of John (the presenter) that way. It is true, he did tell us about all types of scenario's that he has come across, and probably did it to scare us. You are right though, as long as we check in with our administrators and take the necessary steps to prevent any repercussions.
DeleteI forgot about playing music in the classroom, I was so stuck on Netflix. Teachers should be allowed to play music in their classrooms. One of the multiple intelligences is music and some students may find it easier to learn if there is music quietly playing in the background. We have heard it a million times, education is making rapid changes and our classrooms need to as well.
ReplyDeleteAbout your other point, I think it would be beneficial to all teachers if the administration or division would provide a "how-to" workshop for the new technology they are putting in the class in order to have maximum benefit from these tools.
Great post =]
While I don't necessarily like the fact that playing music, watching Netflix, etc. are illegal I think that as educators we need to look at the message we are sending are students. Are we saying that it's OK to break the rules if we disagree with them? Is it OK to break the law because the law is inconvenient for you? It's very easy to say that no one's getting hurt by your actions, but wrong is still wrong, even if we don't agree with it.
ReplyDeleteI would guess that with the boom of technology in the classroom they will try to come to some form of agreement that will allow teachers/schools to be able to pay a reasonable fee to access copyright media and play it in schools legally.
You are a wise man, Cody!
ReplyDeleteI also struggled with the whole idea of not being able to play music or movies. I think I especially found this difficult because as a Physical Education teacher they are continuously encouraging us to use music along with our lessons when we present in our undergrad as well as our after degree. The area that I struggled with was that it is okay to use it if it is for educational purposes, so therefore in the gym you are using it to help children enhance their movement and allowing them to be creative. So the question that I am leery about is, whether or not that is for educational purposes, because in my view I think it would be?
ReplyDelete