Blog Post #3

     Within the world of teaching, copyright and fair use can pose more of a unique obstacle than one would think. While in most cases, someone who wants information or learning material can simple look it up instead of buying a license for it, this isn't the case for teachers. Since they have to distribute learning resources like textbooks to a variety of students, they must do so under a purchased license instead of illegally distributing material. While it's good that copyright laws protect the intellectual property of authors and educators, it can be frustrating to deal with within the classroom. However, something I didn't know before is that technically, teachers can distribute their teaching materials under the protections of "fair use", specifically in cases for nonprofit educational material. Having said this, it is important to consider the context of the situations teachers use their materials in, since not all situations are protected fully by fair use.

    A big issue with implementing technology in classrooms can be decreased productivity. While it isn't guaranteed that students will abuse the privilege of using technology in the classroom, it is common for students to get distracted by the possibilities that technology offers them, which detracts from their attention in class. This can take the form of playing games, using social media, or using other websites that will entertain them rather than aid their education. However, a simple solution for this issue is using a whitelisted network for school tech, which would only allow students to access pre-approved sites on their technology, preventing them from accessing games or social media. While this isn't a perfect solution, it is the simplest to implement.

    After working on the Newsletter Design assignment, I had improved my information organization skills. By utilizing columns and sectioning off different articles with shapes, I was able to present my information in a less cluttered and more aesthetically pleasing way for readers. While I don't necessarily see myself using these skills very often in my personal or professional life, I acknowledge that this should be an essential skill for any aspiring teachers. Organization is key when you are attempting to disseminate information to students and parents alike, since you don't want any miscommunication or confusion in class.