Tech FamilyiEARN ppm2

Places and Perspectiveswith contributions from:

CanadaIreland

US – New JerseyUS – Washington State

also members:NepalRussia

Our iEARN schools found several uses of technology in common:

Positive uses Negative uses Social uses Educational uses Uses of equipment

Uses of Technology

Education Helps our teachers teach in a variety of

ways. Communication with friends Communication with parents Personal safety – parents can find out

quickly where we are. We can interact with friends around the

world as we do in iEARN! A great connector. Unites us over long distances with

students,family, friends.

Positive Uses

Cyber–bullying Depersonalization – all schools mentioned

how technology makes it easy to forget it’s a person you’re talking to.

Rumors Gossip Unwanted attention Hacking Social pressure

Negative Uses

Cell phone communication Texting Email Organizing Music Video conferencing Instant messaging Social networking Blogs

Social Uses

Computers – desktops and laptops Photography Tablets - like iPads Global positioning systems Online searches Educational software Websites Games Email Apps

Educational Uses

The equipment we use varies from school to school and country to country, as we have seen in iEARN this spring.

It also varies from family to family; tech equipment can be expensive to buy and to run (minutes!).

There is a socioeconomic aspect to technology. We should not assume everyone can afford the

same types of equipment, or that everyone has equal access to technology.

Equipment

Cellphones Computers – laptop or desktop Apple products – iPods,iPads, iPhones Microsoftproducts – Word,Power Point Games – Nintendo, Play Station, DS console Software Search engines like Google Online Resources Photography resources Websites Fax Copiers XBox

Resources in Common

Technology is a gift that must be used wisely. When in doubt, don’t press ‘send’! Technology brings people together - but we must

remember we are dealing with people. Give relationships the time they need to develop; don’t

expect to become friends in an instant. When in doubt, ask an adult. The adults in our

communities are always ready to help us make positive use of technology.

Are we a Tech Family? Yes, but only when we take the responsibility to make it so.

The Future