Legal and/or Ethical Issues around Using Technology in Classrooms

1.) http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/methods/technlgy/te600.htm
Technology: A Catalyst for Teaching and Learning in the Classroom

* We are living in an age of information overload with the expectation that students will learn high-level skills such as how to access, evaluate, analyze, and synthesize vast quantities of information. At the same time, teachers are evaluated by their ability to have students pass tests that often give no value to these abilities.

* Teachers are expected to teach students to solve complex problems that require knowledge necessary across many subject areas even as they are held accountable for the teaching and learning of isolated skills and information.

* Teachers are expected to meet the needs of all students and move them toward fulfillment of their individual potential even as they are pressured to prepare students for maximum performance on high-stakes assessment tests that are the primary measure of student and school success.

2.) http://www.besafeonline.org/English/bullying_online.htm
Be Safe Online: Bullying Online
This site discusses bullying online. It describes the various ways students use technology to bully other students. It describes how to spot bullying and what to do about it. This site also offers many resources.

3.) http://www.ncrel.org/engauge/framewk/pro/issues/proiss.htm
Indicator: Social, Ethical, and Legal Issues

This is a blog site that discusses issues regarding technology in schools including: privacy, security, equality, literacy, intellectual property, ethical conduct, etiquette, and more.

4.) http://www.education-world.com/a_tech/tech021.shtml
Keep Kids Safe Online
This site discusses the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). It explains what it means in terms of what is and isn’t allowed when collecting personal information. This site has links many resources.