Learning about Digital Safety

Screenshot of our Wix Presentation.

The group project for Digital Safety was an useful and learning experience. As a group, we learned about Copyright Issues. In the beginning, I thought that the topic would be dry and common sense. However, upon research, my group discovered that there are huge issues regarding copyright issues. Many of these issues links to our responsibilities as a student and future educator.

The most important information through this research experience is Fair Use. I only came into an understanding of this term through this project. I did not realize that there was some exception regarding the educational process (Cathy Newsome). Professor Cyrus also pointed during the class that teachers are limited in the presentation of films in their class.

The 5 groups with their different topics benefited my education progress because it helped me understand the various aspects of technology involving my future career. Each group provided different ways for their audience to understand the issue. Groups would use different types of multimedia and technology tools, such as, videos and online presentation websites.

Example of the use of a video in a presentation / website.

Not only did the group provide general information about their topic (sexual harassment, cyber bullying, pharming and digital safety), they gave the class tips on how to handle these issues. For example, the Cyber Bullying group provided advice on the event that a student is experience cyber bullying.

I believe that the groups use their technological tools well in this project. There is nothing that I would add or change in this requirement. It enabled us to explore the tools available on the internet. At the same time, it helped us understand the different issues that affects us as teachers and future educators. This is a great project for those who are college level.

When I become a teacher, I would give this assignment for students to understand the issues regarding digital safety. I would create a presentation through Prezi, Wix, or Power Point about the different issues. Beforehand, I will require students to answer questionnaires that will help me know on the status of their knowledge in this issue. This is important especially with issues like cyber bullying and sexual harassment that is performed through technology. It will help me realize on what issues is the most important to address. Lastly, I will use videos that emphasize these issue.

The only issue that I had with this presentation is the requirement for Wiggio. We were not able to use this tool as we had hoped. It was confusing and a hassle. It would have been easier to meet on Skype. On Skype, members would be able to leave offline messages. At the same time, we are able to have group conversation. There is also the option of voice and webcam conversations.

If I was required to change something in this group project, I would remove the requirement of a Wiggio sign up. It would have also been interesting to see groups create their own videos. For example, the group would film a video as if they were teaching in the class. Another change in this project could be the requirement of the students to use different technological tool. It would be interesting and fun to see different styles of presentations.






Information

U.s copyright office. (2009). Retrieved from http://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl102.html
Newson, C. (1997). Fair use and copyright . Retrieved from http://home.earthlink.net/~cnew/research.htm