Deep+Thoughts+about+Learning+with+Technology

On this page, you will find links to 12 questions. In teams of two, research information that helps you to answer these questions. Make sure to post the links (as sources) of the sites you researched in your process. If you find a video or powerpoint presentation, post a link to that as well. Answers should demonstrate thought and be educational for other students who read it. Your team will present your findings to the class.
 * 1) How have the tools of the classroom changed over the past 5 years? Be specific. Compare and contrast the old classroom tools to the new classroom tools and provide examples of each. Discuss whether you think this is a good or a bad thing.
 * 2) How have teachers changed over the past 5 years? Compare and contrast old teaching methods to new teaching methods. Discuss whether you think this is a good or a bad thing.
 * 3) How have students changed over the past 5 years? Discuss what tools students have available and what types of technologies students are growing up with. Discuss whether you think this is a good or bad thing.
 * 4) What is Social Software? How can (or should) social software be used in the classroom? Provide examples and specifics about how it can be used.
 * 5) Do you think teachers are using the technology available to them, to the fullest extent in the classroom? How are teachers using this technology? Do you feel you're learning more or less than other teaching methods that don't incorporate the use of technology?
 * 6) When you search for information on the internet, how do you know the information you read is accurate? Is the information always accurate? How can you verify sources to determine if they are legitimate?
 * 7) In business, why do you think it's important to be able to communicate well? What forms of communication do you think a business would value? Do you think businesses use Instant Message chat slang and abbreviations? Why or why not? When might they use this?
 * 8) Professionalism means many things to many people. Define professionalism and explain all that it encompasses. In business, why might a business have difficulty if their employees do not act professional? Do you think professionalism has an impact on how you perceive the intelligence of your teachers?
 * 9) The Irving School District has sites for Instant Messaging blocked. What is Instant Messaging? Can you find evidence of businesses using Instant Messaging software? Why do they use it? Would using Instant Messaging software add value to your education? Why do you think the district wants students to stay off of this type of tool?
 * 10) The Irving School District has enabled WebSense as a tool to make sure students don't access questionable web-sites. Can you find evidence of businesses doing this? What are the pros (for) and the cons (agains) for doing this? Do you think some of the sites blocked may have educational value (provide examples)?
 * 11) What is Problem Solving? Teachers are learning to guide students through processes and learning rather than specifically providing step-by-step instructions. Is this a good or bad thing? Does this help students to learn to seek out information for themselves? How does this teach Problem Solving Skills to students? Do businesses expect employees to be able to seek out and find solutions for their problems?
 * 12) Research and locate at least two different business or college Computer Acceptable Use Policies. Do these policies spell out the consequences for misuse of computer technology? Why are these types of policies required in the workplace today? Do you think these policies help businesses to be successful or hinder creativity? When you researched this topic, did you find many of these policies available on-line? Why do you think there are so many?