Evaluating Technological Tools

         Technology has served to offer new means for local and global networking to enhance education. The three I have choose to evaluate are Facebook, Twitter, and E-Pals. The connections that all of these socials networking site provide educators are endless. Instant communication is now possible between teachers, administrators, and students across the world. I have used Facebook to network with colleagues and peers in the past.
          In the past I have used Facebook to network with people. I was part of a group of American language and culture teachers in Spain. We would discuss problems and possible solutions. The group made it possible to address common problems and find support and options for lessons.  Many teachers connected to discuss ideas, lessons, and even culture shock.
        Twitter offers an excellent way to learn new strategies and network with people. Using hashtags people post are grouped and it is easy to find people who are posting similar topics. Twitter allows you to follow people, read their posts and learn from them. Twitter can also be used to promote social change and culture exchange which is key to promoting learners and global citizens in the 21st century.
      E-Pals has been the best networking site I have found for teachers. Although most communication is done because of projects it is also a great place to meet other teachers. The site can be used to link up with classrooms around the world. All different types of projects, classrooms, and information can be exchanged. I would like to use E-Pals to link up and teach my students culture from around the world.
     All of the tools all educators to network and communicate in different ways with equal and seperate benefits to all of them
     

Moral and Legal Issues

        There are several differences between moral and legal issues is technology use. Legal issues and problems arise from breaking a law. As Jim Davis of Iowa State University pointed out "The law doesn't make it, "right" and being "right" doesn't make it legal." (Davis, 2004)

       Something that is perfect example of this is recent NSA leaks by Ed Snowden.  Snowden informed the American people that millions of people's sensitive data was given to the US government to spy on its own citizens.  All of this was perfectly legal. Using secret courts to legalize the data collection the US government took information from, Facebook, Skype, Verizon and Google.

      Legally all of this is perfectly acceptable. This does not make it "right" or ethical for many peoples.  Ethics are not defined, they are based on the opinion of an individual. Some people think that the these actions by the government are completely unethical. Others have the opinion that it is necessary and perfectly ethical if it is keeping Americans safe.

     You can also look at the actions of Snowden himself. Releasing classified documents is illegal, but if it is to make Americans and friendly free people everywhere aware they are being spied on is it ethical?  Some suggest Snowden has done what is "right" and a hero, while others see him as a traitor and coward. Although the ethics can be argued, legality in this case can not. It was illegal.

Davis, Jim. 2004. Legal and Ethical Issues is Computer Security. Iowa State University, retrieved from: www.sait.fsu.edu/conferences/2004/is3/.../slides/davisj-legalethical.ppt

Using Blended Learning to Promote Global Education

       Blended learning is an excellent tool for promoting global education.  Students who take an active role in their learning are going to across many different perspectives from many different view points. Blended learning allows these students to interact with people from all over the world in an educational setting. This is something excellent for preparing students to compete in a global economy.

      Blended learning also makes educators work together more closely. Sharing ideas and thoughts makes a big difference and promotes global education. Aaron Turpin Director of Technology in the Hall County, Georgia School District said,  “And most important: collaborate with other districts. You have to to survive.”  A great part of blended learning is the ability for teachers and students to work together with other people and figure out the best ways and plans to meet standards.


    

BLENDED LEARNING. (2012). Technology & Learning, 33(2), 36-38.