Blog Post Three!

MS Word has been a huge instrument that I have used throughout middle school and into FSU. My earliest memory of MS Word is probably beginning how to use it in computer class in elementary school. During my elementary and middle school years this was when technology was starting to become popular and arise. We had computers in the computer lab that had Word and Power Point already on them. We also had netbooks (little laptops) that had Word on it and we would use these as we got older. As a student I used word for many things, any essays that I had to type I would do on word. If we were having any neighborhood parties I would make flyers on Word too. 

At FSU I tend to use Pages by Apple more often because I have an apple computer. For the majority of my time at FSU I have used pages but for this class I am using Word more. 

While I was in elementary and middle school I would go on a limb and say that my teachers used Word to make tests and quizzes but I did not pay enough attention to them using it. Although in high school my teachers used to use Word for any documents that they would write and post for us. They would post it as a PDF file though because we used Ipads and were not able to open it unless it was pages or on a PDF. Most of the teachers that I have had here at FSU have used Word. They also require students to submit documents through PDF or Word. I definitely think that it is the most used instrument in college, just given the amount of essays that are required for classes and how teachers have to make rubrics for each assignment, which is usually completed on Word.  

In my own personal experiences I have not run into any issues dealing with copyright. I can imagine that my teachers have run into problems about copy right when trying to find photos or tests that they can use. I do remember one time where our teacher would post slides on the board for us but would not let us take pictures of the slides because there was some restriction to it. The same can be said for fair use of educational materials in a classroom. I have not personally run into any problems with it but I can see how it could potentially be a problem in the future for me as a future educator. I can definitely see myself going on pinterst and finding a quiz or math sheet that I would want to use but would not be able to because of potentially copy writing something. I do not necessarily see copywriting as a problem for students as much as plagiarizing. I do see it being a problem for teachers though when looking for a fun game or educational activity to do with their students. Although because there is fair use enacted, there can be a balance of how much work is "used" from other sources and how much work is created by the teacher. 

Cyberbullying and academic dishonesty are probably the most problematic out of this list. For cyberbullying I think it depends on what the actual scenario is and who it involves. I would definitely talk to the kids one of the first days of school about what cyberbullying is and what it looks like and how they can prevent it or how they can stand up for those who are being bullied. I would also involve the parents and send home a newsletter about cyberbullying and how they can be actively involved in their children's social and digital life. As for academic dishonesty I would make sure that I was extremely clear about the rules that the school has set about plagiarizing and cheating. With how quickly technology is increasing and growing academic dishonesty within the realm of technology becomes increasingly easier and children are growing lazier when writing essays or turning in work. The online program TurnItIn is a great way to actively show students that plagiarising or cheating is allowed or tolerated. 

I commented on Malyce's and Hayley Singers blog! I really enjoyed reading both their perspectives :)