Reflection #1: A Successful Departure

1. In what learning environments would the technology resource I presented be appropriate?

Kidspiration has many features that cater to equitable access for most students. This application includes both written and auditory instructions for each project. Each project is also very visually stimulating with the use of various images and graphic organizers. This program caters to several different learning styles which allows many different students to be successful with this application. 

Kidspiration can be used to increase global and cultural awareness in students. Teachers are able to create their own projects, so one could create a project which encourages this aspect of learning. The teacher could also assign a project which requires students to create their own graphic organizer that displays their knowledge and understanding of another country or culture. 

It is important to always explicitly teach socially responsible digital use before allowing students anywhere near a computer. As long as students have been taught about cyberbullying and plagiarism and how these will not be tolerated in the classroom, they should be responsible digital users. Teachers should also, always constantly monitor their students as they use the computers.

Lastly, Kidspiration can easily be used in an environment that is healthy, safe, and ethical, as long as the teacher creates it. The teacher should not allow students to remain on computers for extended amounts of time and may want to implement short breaks to encourage students to do something physical for a bit and rest their eyes. The school should also use safety  applications that prevent the students from accessing harmful sites. 

2. In what learning environments would the technology resource I presented NOT be appropriate?

Kidspiration would not be appropriate, at all times, in regards to equitable access because if a student has a physical impairment that limits them from being able to maneuver the mouse, they would not be able to participate. This would also limit students who have a visual impairment because Kidspiration is largely visual. Sometimes the use of technology is against religions or lifestyles (i.e. Amish), so Kidspiration would not be able to be used by them. Lastly, there is also a cognitive level that students must be at to use Kidspiration easily and effectively. Students who are functioning below that level, could not participate without accommodations. 

Depending on how the student uses Kidspiration, there could be a lack of global and cultural awareness or a poor representation of it. Students who have poor global and cultural awareness may create projects that reflect this deficit. They may create projects that are culturally offensive or insensitive and it is the teachers job to catch this and correct it. There could also be pre-made projects on Kidspiration that may offend a certain culture because of the use of a certain animal or symbol. 

In regards to socially responsible digital use, this also depends on how the student uses the application. With the open endedness of some of the projects on Kidspiration, some students may use the application in inappropriate and hurtful ways. It could lead to a form of cyberbullying if used against another individual in the class. Teachers must be aware of what all students are creating and should implement strict "no bullying" rules in their classroom and specify that technology should never be used to hurt another human being. Because it is difficult to be monitoring students at all times, the teacher should only use Kidspiration or technology in general, if they are confident that their students will use it appropriately. 

There are many ways in which Kidspiration could lead to health, safety, and ethical concerns. Firstly, this is not a physically healthy activity because students are seated the entirety of the lesson and is stressful on the eyes. This also has the possibility of being unsafe if the school does not have appropriate monitoring software to prevent children from accessing harmful sites. Again, students have the possibility of using this application in a negative way if not closely monitored and instructed clearly on appropriate and ethical use of technology. Cyberbullying should never be tolerated in the classroom. 

3. How might it be modified to be appropriate?

Many of the modifications that can be made to correct these are preventative measures. Teaching students how to be safe, responsible internet users is incredibly important before using any technology application. Some accommodations that can be made for a physical impairment are giving the student a pointer or a modified keyboard to make typing easier or using a "trackpad" instead of a mouse for greater dexterity in maneuvering the pointer on the computer. For students with a visual impairment one can increase the screen contrast, if they have some sight, or they can use auditory programs that help them use the computer through an auditory program. 

For students whose religion or culture does not allow for technology use, teachers should always have an alternate assignment for them, that does not use technology. For some families, they might be okay with students using technology at school, but it is important to have quality communication with those parents to ensure that they are comfortable with what their child is doing in class. 

Teachers should always make sure that there is safety software on the computers so that students cannot access harmful sites. If their computers do not have it, teachers should apply it themselves or have the school put it on the computer before students have any access to the computer.  

Teachers should create and implement classroom behavior management for specifically computer use. Especially stressing the importance of not "cyberbullying" others. They should have strict rule and punishments to prevent that from being a part of the classroom.