Educational technology facilitators understand the social, ethical, legal, and human issues surrounding the use of technology in P-12 schools and assist teachers in applying that understanding in their practice. Educational technology facilitators:
TF-VI.A. Model and teach legal and ethical practice related to technology use. Candidates:
1. Develop strategies and provide professional development at the school/classroom level for teaching social, ethical, and legal issues and responsible use of technology.
2. Assist others in summarizing copyright laws related to use of images, music, video, and other digital resources in varying formats. TF-VI.B. Apply technology resources to enable and empower learners with diverse backgrounds, characteristics, and abilities. Candidates:
1. Assist teachers in selecting and applying appropriate technology resources to enable and empower learners with diverse backgrounds, characteristics, and abilities.
2. Identify, classify, and recommend adaptive /assistive hardware and software for students and teachers with special needs and assist in procurement and implementation.
TF-VI.C. Identify and use technology resources that affirm diversity. Candidates:
1. Assist teachers in selecting and applying appropriate technology resources to affirm diversity and address cultural and language differences.
TF-VI.D. Promote safe and healthy use of technology resources. Candidates:
1. Assist teachers in selecting and applying appropriate technology resources to promote safe and healthy use of technology.
TF-VI.E. Facilitate equitable access to technology resources for all students. Candidates:
1. Recommend policies and implement school/classroom strategies for achieving equitable access to technology resources for all students and teachers.
ISTE Standard II
ISTE Standard III
ISTE Standard IV
ISTE Standard V
ISTE Standard VI
ISTE Standard VII
ISTE Standard VIII
Resume
Educational Philosophy
Program of Study
NJ CCCS
RSS FEEDS
Although this standard is rather short, it encompasses several very important issues that the Technology Facilitator must address. Teachers need to learn about the legal, ethical, and safe uses of technology through professional development opportunities. It cannot be assumed that students will follow copyright laws, understand what plagiarism is, be able to avoid Internet predators, and find reliable Internet sites without proper instruction. I have created a Webliography that includes websites with lesson plans for correct and safe Internet usage and resources for downloadable materials that follow legal guidelines. Also included on this list are websites that highlight assistive technology and Internet publications for additional research into these topics that the Technology Facilitator or the teachers in her district can use. This type of webliography should be posted on my Technology Facilitator's website.
As Technology Facilitator, I need to be aware of the "Digital Divide" that exists between the students in my district. This term refers to the fact that not all students have access to the same technology resources at home or the same parent involvement with computers. I needs to make the teachers aware of how this will affect what they need to teach in the classroom and the kinds of homework that can be assigned. Also, on a district level, the Technology Facilitator must help maintain and staff computer labs appropriately, to give all children better access to technology.
The digital divide does not only apply to affluent versus poor students. Many researcher feel that boys utilize technology more than girls and that there are fewer women with jobs in technology related careers. Van Eck's (2006) article that I critiqued is an interesting read about using games to help girls gain positive attitudes about technology.
Not all students fit the same mold. Technology Facilitators must address the needs of the disabled students in their districts by learning about adaptive and assistive technology. My Assistive Technology presentation gives a brief overview of the history of the disability movement in this country, introduces facts from the Americans with Disabilities Act, lists some websites for families with disabled children, and lists additional resources for teachers who teach disabled students. I would include a presentation like this in a short professional development program for the teacher and administrators in my district in an effort to increase their awareness of students with special needs..
Webliography
Digital Divide Article
Assistive Technology Power Point