Standard+VI

Week 3 Assignment, Part 3.6: Reflections on Technology Facilitation Standards VI

Chapter six standards focus on the legalities of technology that have emerged since the evolution of new technology. The four critical areas of concern: social, ethical, legal, and human issues. Williamson and Redish (2009) commented that with new technology, there are new consequences to contend. I don’t see these as new issues, but as long-standing concerns throughout the history of education. I feel today’s technology has made data more readily available for the world to obtain where as in the past not all had access to your information.
 * Self –Assessment **

Having recently completed School Law, the urgency of students’ privacy known as FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) was still current and reading Williamson and Redish (2009, p. 127) Privacy and Student Records reinforced my concern for training. Since the start of my career and the opening of my campus, our former Principal stressed the importance of securing student records. She also cautioned us about conversations in the teacher’s lounge and that student issues were off limits. Any discussion would be held in the privacy of our classroom, conference room or in her office and with individuals who are privy to the information. I thought conversations in the teacher’s lounge were social myths, but in reading our discussion board a classmate stressed the importance of confidentiality. Apparently her district had been sued for breach of FERPA because teachers were discussing sensitive issues in the teacher’s lounge. Last month during lunch several teachers were talking about students former and present, I mentioned FERPA and they did not understand. I shared with them what I had learned in School Law and through a posting on the discussion board. They didn’t seem concerned and responded, “Who is going to tell?” I realize that our campus had not had training due to seven different Principals in the past seven years. Needless to say, FERPA was not top priority as was student achievement scores (TAKS). My Academic Coach and I will collaborate to provide training when we return in January, 2011. I now limit my conversation in the privacy of my classroom, the conference room and/or in the Principal’s office.

At the start of January, 2011, my Academic Coach and I will collaborate to develop Professional Training on FERPA. In regards to online safety, we are fortunate to have in our rotation our Technology Teacher. She is a certified teacher with a Master’s in Educational Technology. Since starting the Master’s program with Lamar, I am more aware of the training available for our students and have visited the sites our Technology Teacher uses to promote CyberSafety. My concern has been with educating our parents to the dangers that plaque our students in regards to online safety. Last year I tried to convince the Principal at the time that our campus should host CyberSafety classes for our parents. I offered to facilitate the training, but we never got around to it. Again this year, I shared with my new Principal, my concern about educating our parents on CyberSafety. I am happy to report that he agreed to CyberSafety training which I will facilitate in the spring.
 * Learn as a Learner **

Due to the lack of continuity in Administration, there are gaps in our training. Many of these gaps are related to areas in social, ethical, legal, and human issues. This is an opportunity for me to promote myself by recommending training seminars. The following are workshops that I would like to implement and that would encompass TF Standard VI:
 * Lifelong Learning Skills **
 * Copyright and Fair Use Guidelines
 * Searching, Research, and Evaluating Websites
 * Using Social Networks Responsibly
 * Acceptable Uses
 * Email and communication electronic use
 * Appropriate techniques for downloading, utilizing and sharing
 * Internet/intranet files.

As I plan and organize my workshops, I will be cognizant of Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligence. In my past experience with training the more hands-on the activities, the more engaged my teachers are in learning. The biggest challenge I see is the conversations in the teacher’s lounge and/or on campus. Regardless of training or reminders, people still talk. If possible, I would like to investigate how many parental complaints are made in regards to overheard conversations (gossip). A student’s privacy is a federal law with serious consequences, I hope to protect my administration, faculty and staff by avoiding a compromising situation.

** References ** Anne Guigon. (2010). Education World. In Multiple Intelligences: A Theory for Everyone. Retrieved from []

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) []

Williamson, J. a. (2009). Technology facilitation and leadership standards: what every K-12 leader should know and be able to do. Eigeme. OR: International Society for Technology in Education.