Week Eight EDOL533

Week 8: 2 Parts…
Reflection on online communication tools:
The benefit of online communication tools is that they are global. Online communication tools allow for connectivity with virtually anyone, anywhere, with an internet connection. I remember when AOL first came out and the chat room and instant message were a “newfangled” idea that everyone was either using or jealous they didn’t have yet. For fun, Facebook, Twitter, etc… provide hours of picture stalking, “friend” making, and status updating enjoyment! For the classroom, this means teachers can allow their students to recreate the idea of pen pals, send classroom emails and assignment, and even allows for college students to obtain a master’s degree without ever setting foot on their college campus! Technology in the classroom has greatly improved the education world as a whole.
Look carefully at your classroom’s computers, or think of a classroom computer lab that you have interacted with in the past. Discuss the types of security you have in place to prevent malicious software and/or hackers and cite any areas of concern:
I do not currently have a classroom… and even though I will be an elementary school teacher, the computer labs that stand out the most in my memory are those that belong to Sweet Briar College where I obtained my bachelor’s degree. I personally spent a ton of time in these labs because for one, I could not concentrate in my dorm room, and I never purchased a printer so it was more convenient to do work in the computer labs. Our lab computers did not have any restrictions or off limit access when logged into as a student, so one could look at or look up anything and everything available on the web. With no restrictions, you can imagine how vulnerable these computers must have been to “catching” a virus, worm, Trojan, etc… In order to prevent these types of problems from happening the school had anti-virus software installed on every lab computer, and also required every personal computer that could log onto the network to have up to date anti-virus software. I personally, didn’t install the software on my computer freshman year, which resulted in the entire thing having to be rebuilt; I learned my lesson. This campus requirement of having anti-virus programs really seemed to be effective as I did not know of many people who had virus issues with their computers and there was never a long line in the tech help center. From college on, I have kept Norton anti-virus installed on my computer and have had no virus problems.