Most recent public comments by Bethany Figg https://nowcomment.com/users/80422 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200876?scroll_to=1884434 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200876?scroll_to=1884434 Sun, 17 May 2020 15:11:29 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200876?scroll_to=1881404 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200876?scroll_to=1881404 Mia and Amanda, My mind is exploding just thinking of the ethical ramifications of this point. The idea that anyone is data mining my children’s educational habits is infuriating – they are children and should not be used for political gain. And so many companies have shown an inability to protect their users’ information as evidenced by the data breach notifications that make their way on the news. So many negative things could happen to our children if information about them falls into the wrong hands. Geotagging could provide their location to predators, personal information could result in identity theft – now I want to go pull a Ron Swanson and throw all of their electronics into a dumpster (this reference is for fans of Parks and Recreation https://youtu.be/8xn1rO1oQmk) Sat, 16 May 2020 12:50:42 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200876?scroll_to=1878363 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200876?scroll_to=1878363 Selwyn makes a point to aim for small-scale change and the move from textbooks to digital books is a natural progression. This progression can be encouraged by Richard Culatta’s comment in the Michelle Davis EducationWeek article. Culatta praises the advancement of utilizing digital learning materials from out-of-date textbooks. An advantage to e-textbooks is the ability to update information instantly, rather than waiting for the next edition. I work with one of the writers of a board review book for the specialty of emergency medicine. They published nine editions before moving the content to an interactive e-learning platform. That means there is outdated medical information in all prior print texts. It is a relief to know the most up-to-date patient care is available instantly, rather than waiting for the long-drawn-out process of publishing a print book to obtain the information! Sun, 17 May 2020 15:11:29 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200876?scroll_to=1878342 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200876?scroll_to=1878342 Amanda, I agree with both you and Selwyn. Focusing on the purpose and goal of a lesson should be the ultimate decision maker when deciding on a tool. I understand budgets, but sometimes the sacrifice of content or quality for price is really not worth it! On another note, but still related to the argument, goals of a lesson should be considered when determining the process to get to the goal. A calculator will get you the answer you want, but it won't teach you the steps to get to the right answer. Too much advanced content may not leave room for creativity or independent thinking. Amanda, if your STEM makerspace lab had kits with step by step instructions on everything, your students would not have the opportunity to be inventive and create something new. Wed, 13 May 2020 17:13:09 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200876?scroll_to=1878008 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200876?scroll_to=1878008 Selwyn says Ed Tech discourse is framed in a way to turn education into a competitive endeavor but I believe the desire to advance knowledge and technology has always been in place starting with the invention of the wheel and that this is not a bad thing. Technology has the potential to make life easier or more enjoyable, and competition and drive has brought us these great things. I love horses, but I would rather use a vehicle as my primary mode of transportation. Wed, 13 May 2020 14:41:49 -0400 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200876?scroll_to=1877990 https://nowcomment.com/documents/200876?scroll_to=1877990 The solitude of educational technology has never occurred to me until watching this video. I find this a highly compelling concept as we have talked a lot about generating motivation to engage in online learning, and forming group projects, and participating on discussion boards in order to build a sense of community, but I never considered the purpose of these things emanate from the fact that educational technology is ultimately a solitary learning delivery. We tote the value of individuals being able to complete their online modules on their own time, and the convenience of portability – but the tradeoff is the loss of human to human contact. Granted group projects and discussion boards involve contact, but it is still with individuals on either end of a computer – not in the same physical location. Even if in a computer lab setting with a teacher and learners, individuals are engaging with each other through the computers. Thu, 14 May 2020 17:28:18 -0400