This issue is especially important for teacher educators and teachers alike to examine, reflect on, theorize about, and act on.
I agree that we as educators carry responsibility to reflect on these realities of injustice and examine their own internalized biases. Its especially important to act against these issues and provide equitable education.
This work has been lacking in teacher education and educational technology and may open discourse, lines of inquiry, and new interpretations of justice in educational technology.
These interpretations of justice in educational technology must be further investigated and solutions must be implemented.
helping students see and identify the faulty designs throughout our society that plague the most vulnerable among us. In order to dismantle and correct these designs and patterns, they must first be able to notice and name them.
This piece is huge. Before we can address these issues, we much first identify them and how they are oppressive and incorrect. Only then can we begin to reform the design.
Design justice, meanwhile, is design work that centers and prioritizes people who have been marginalized by design.
This is surprisingly the first time I have heard this term. The topic of educational injustices is not new to me and is one I advocate for strongly. Much of these marginalizations begin with the design.
orry not! You can create a buffet with flexible means to support learners. If you proactively provide a graphic organizer, an annotated exemplar with notes about organization, a resource that includes words, phrases, and clauses to help clarify the relationships among claim(s) and reasons, and the opportunity to sign up for small group instruction on organization, you can empower students to choose what they need to organize their writing.
This is very important for UDL. All learning styles should still be given choice and option in their learning, rather than assuming what area the student will struggle in, work with the student to decided where they might struggle and help them decide what resource might benefit them
Their breakfast served a single option—a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich on a biscuit. No substitutions.
Although this is my dream breakfast sandwich, this is a terrible option to meet all nutritional needs and restrictions. In addition, common allergens such as dairy and gluten will leave many children hungry, as well as religious restrictions with meat and sourcing of the food should be acknoledged
This challenge is even more significant when students — who are typically minors — become influenced by these technological tools. Teachers should consider this shift in authority, as educational technology companies are often not held accountable for their biases toward student learning and the ways in which their assistive technologies support students’ educational experiences (Zeide, 2019)
This piece is also very scary, as the younger the generation the tighter the grip technology seems to have. I as an educator want to emphasize protecting ourselves from over influence of the internet.
he majority of current educational artificial intelligence is provided through various software formats, making this technology more manageable and accessible in school settings
Software is a good format, as it can usually be installed on a range of devices to ensure more students can access the tool.
Linguistic – writing and speaking Logical/Mathematical – algorithms designed to solve problems Spatial – art creation; image recognition Musical – recognizing notes and composing Interpersonal – conversations with smart assistants
These aspects of AI are those which get me excited about its spreading accessibility. A large benefit of AI is what it could mean for assistive technology and students who require it.
Even though these systems are able to perform a wide array of functions to help make our lives easier, they do not have the ability to understand why we request these tasks;
This piece was really interesting for me to read. Although I'm pretty familiar with the implications and controversies surrounding AI, I had never even considered they "understand why we request these tasks". Part of why AI scares me is because people describe it as if AI has consciousness and thought which is terrifying.
Even worse, when algorithms are used to analyze student datasets, it is “even more likely that they will reinforce the education system’s existing biases rather than radically upend them” (Watters, 2017, para. 39). Ultimately, the data collected on students could actually negatively impact student learning - the opposite of the intended purpose.
This is a very scary side to student data collection. Its important we never use digital tools to the extent of a negative impact on student learning. Its also imperative if this data is used for anything its should be to identify and dissipate these biases.
Some tools allow you to use a single sign on from third party companies, such as Google or Facebook, to create an account, which gives the tool partial or full access to the data from these third party companies. This can be especially problematic when you ask students to use their school gmail account to login to a tool, as that tool may gain access to private information from the students’ gmail accounts.
This piece seems especially important to me in regards to data privacy. Using single sign on from third party companies is often much quicker and more convenient, but I hadn't really thought about how granting full access might be dangerous. I think this makes me realize I'm a bit too trusting of my digital tools
This is not to say free edtech tools have no place in the classroom, but it is important to understand the true cost behind employing such technology when it is presented as being “free.”
This piece is especially important to keep in mind as teachers do not have limitless funds to spend on digital tools. Are apps can have many useful features, but there's almost always downsides to these tools. Its important to thoroughly evaluate especially "free tools".
A tool that requires learners to install additional software or browser plug-ins—whether on their own system or in the tool itself—is problematic
This is huge for classroom technology. I recall trying to access materials and being promoted to download Adobe Flash Player. I would attempt to and it still wouldn't work. Therefore I agree with this statement because especially with students personal technology, unwanted downloads that may lead to a virus or what not should be completely avoided
The documentation for an e-learning tool should provide information regarding the degree and nature of a tool's ability to meet accessibility standards. Unfortunately, such information is often missing, raising a serious concern that developers have not valued accessibility standards in their design and support of the e-learning tool.
This piece is so huge, as many digital tools do not evaluate or even consider the accessibility of their program. This Barrs many people from being able to use the tool to achieve the desired goal. This cannot be the case in todays age, as technology is essential for students with disabilities and can be huge for all students learning.
Given the diversity of outcomes across learning experiences, e-learning tools should be chosen on a case-by-case basis and should be tailored to each instructor's intended learning outcomes and planned instructional activities.
People have individual struggles and strengths when it comes to technology. This piece is very important when considering incorporating a new technology into the classroom, as some students may struggle more than others, and in differing ways.
This tool is beneficial for individuals who lack the ability to control their hand movements but can control the movement of their head
This tool seems amazing and is a renowned form of assistive technology I had not previously heard of. I struggle with an autoimmune disease which affects my fingers and makes it hard to click and drag on my touchpad. This feature is amazing for students with more severe physical disabilities
Provides information that is understandable (e.g., uses simple language rather than academic or technical jargon; allows the user to lookup words or provides words with visual definitions).
This piece is so important as some sites get very wordy without taking into account its made for young students. This words can get in the way of students with assistive technology and be counterproductive to the information relayed
Is easy to operate with the support of assistive technology, such as a screen reader and voice control.
Any programs used in a classroom with a student who has a sensory disability must work with that students assistive technology. This technology is often critical to a students learning and communication and should always be taken into consideration when choosing a program.
“I used the checkbox feature in Google Sheets to automatically tally up how much it would cost a teacher to pay out of pocket if they were to buy several EdTech tools. It’s not hard to get to $1000 quickly!”
This piece is kind of scary because I want my students to have all the resources and tools they want to need, but I like to keep my money 😭 I will definitely be researching tools thoroughly before purchasing because there are a lot of features that will be necessary and a lot of ways these tools can become inaccessible quickly.
“once children see themselves represented in books, their existence is validated, and they feel that they are part of the world”
This piece is huge for children confidence in themselves and their culture. The fact that some programs still haven't released more inclusive icons is saddening. This kinda of representation can make all the difference in a students motivation to learn. Even just an icon can make an individual feel seen and appreciated.
However, if the tool is being used in environments where multiple kinds of devices are being used, or if students will use this tool on personal devices, it is important it operates well across different platforms.
This piece is very important. Not all students, especially those still in elementary who likely don't have MacBooks or laptops they would bring to school. I noticed many mobile versions of websites that we access from out phones could use more work. Its also clear many students can't afford or aren't yet allowed a cell phone. In this case its important schools ensure student have proper access to the digital tools they need.
UDL framework to identify tools to meet and support the diverse needs of all students.
This framework should be implemented in every classroom. Not all children learn the same and ones teaching style is likely not a universal fit. Its up to the teacher to make these accommodations and adjustments to create a more equitable classroom environment
“Don't let technology get in the way of good teaching and learning"
I love this quote because I feel like some teachers depend too much on technology and are sacrificing the bond they could be developing with their students because they are letting an online program lecture and teach for them
Can the content be modified or remixed? Some tools, like NewsELA allow you to modify how, and what, information is presented to support learners’ understanding of the material.
This is also a begin one, especially for younger classrooms. Education tools should be able to be modified to fit the needs of a specific classroom and its students
Is the information provided accurate, trustworthy, and credible? Are sources cited within the tool?
This piece is really important because we are educators of this information and we can't sacrifice the students learning for a digital tool.
deas that may evolve into posts and added a new dimension to my reflective practice
I can see how blogging can be very reflective an productive in self-analyzing teaching methods and allow someone to take a different perspective on their methods
Sharing my ideas alongside other teachers was a confronting moment but one that quickly revealed a community that is welcoming and actively encourages participation
This is very comforting to know that its a welcoming space because I too feel intimidated by the community sometimes.
Professional learning network tools range from those that allow you to acquire new information (e.g., email listservs, Internet or database searches, phone calls, curriculum materials, books) and curate information (e.g., spreadsheets, email folders, note taking apps, social bookmarking tools).
important to take advantage of all different types of tools in order to get the most well rounded and effective experience.
Dynamism - Your PLN should shift, grow, and evolve over time based on your professional goals, interests, and needs.
This piece is especially important because there's constantly new resources being put out, over the course of a career in education its important to be able to adapt and grow
With the self-directed nature of PLNs and how social media algorithms work, educators may develop PLNs that lack diversity of perspectives and become echo chambers or sustain exclusionary ideologies
This is very troubling and a possible downside to PLNs in Education