OPS+Professional+Reading

INTERFACE MAGAZINE REFLECTIONS

FEBRUARY- "WHO'S YOUR FRIEND? Pg 32  "This article looked at online social networking and discussed from a professional approach and for us as Teachers, what’s acceptable and what’s not. Constructive points were that it has easy access, is interactive and can achieve great results by opening doors for creativity and personal expression. Whereas of a more destructive nature, abuse can occur and access to inappropriate resources obtained which can lead to a loss of dignity."

//"Social Media is a great tool and gives teachers and students the opportunities to interact with people from all over the world. There are some benefits and pitfalls which will need to be considered. It can develop creativity and expression, fun through the learning process, engage and communicate with others. Pitfalls : privacy, could be open to abuse, parents thoughts about these, how teachers are perceived through their facebook or other sites. Although Social Media is huge around the world, I think people, especially teachers, have to be extremely careful about what they put on sites. This may include having photos of you in possible compromising activities that may get put on other peoples sites, You may not have any say about this. Making sure that you know who you are letting be your friends is also important. "//

v " Online social networking =Twitter, Facebook, MYSpace,,LinkedIN, MSN etc., online conversation blogging.  v Teachers can use to share information ask questions  v Social media can help with creativity and expression widen normal circles of friends and intellectual colleagues  v Pitfalls- all photos info .. open to all. Privacy issues, photos that can appear on strangers laptops…security issues  v Main point it can be constructive or destructive  v My daughter uses Face Book and MSN but we have talked about the dangers and about putting inappropriate things on the net  v Bad image for teaching if social photos get on these sites  v Last year as a staff we discussed problems and to be aware  Eg Site with students voting for worst and best teachers around Auckland, nasty comments and put downs on site."

//" Social networking sites have thrown up issues of grey areas of personal life and professional life. Lots of schools don’t even have a policy about social networking sites and their uses. I feel that at home – my personal life is just that – personal. How and who I choose to share personal info is my own business. I just have to be aware of the impact on my professional life." //

MARCH- "FINDING LAPTOPS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF STUDENTS" Pg 21-23 "Laptops are an increasingly essential took in a school environment, although they can be an expensive item for schools to purchase and update. Laptops are advancing very quickly from physical size and data appropriate sizes. " "More schools will be implementing laptops which are more convenient and lighter to move from place to place."

"As technology advances and children have more opportunities to have different careers than may currently be viable, making them aware of different technologies that becoming more important "Laptops are being introduced into school quite slowly in NZ. They re many factors that rise from giving each child access to a laptop. Cost, storage, safety, breakdowns, ongoing maintenance, cost to parents or the school may be prohibitive in the beginning. Sponsorship may be one way to get laptops into school or the MOE coming to the party. After all they are wanting children to become more computer literate but don’t seem to be giving enough money for schools to implement more computers in school. "

v About some schools buying a specific laptop model for their students, Schools buy laptop = parents pay a yearly fee v Schools like St Kentigern college have used laptops for a few years. An essential learning tool in their school v Notebooks equipped with Industry standard applications v Light weight, easy to store or take with you, small space needed. v Things to consider: price, product selection, back up support. I personally couldn’t manage without mine."

" Laptops are becoming an increasing important tool in schools. Allows students to be “anywhere learners” (I like that). Allows students to discern appropriate information, fosters responsibility, able to find new ways to learn and teachers notice an improvement in written work. Negatives: Problems with selection backup support (teachers and students) and price – who pays?"

MAY- Unleash the games console in your classroom” Page 37