Chapter Eleven & Twelve, Question 1

What are the legal, social, and ethical issues arising in the Digital Age? Summarize each.

The legal issues arising in the Digital Age include:
- Copyright & Fair Use which includes teachers and students trying to decide what they should be using for lessons, projects, ect that is another person's. This can sometimes be questionable because it can be unclear, especially on the internet what is for free use and what is not.

- Privacy. Technology has made the sharing of information over the internet so easy and simple that it is fairly easy for one to lose their own privacy. For instance, Google not has an application where if you press a button you can be located by anyone, anywhere who is looking for you. Privacy can be very easily lost through the internet.

- Acceptable use. The internet should be used appropriately. It is so easy to search and find certain things that are not ethically or morally acceptable. Especially in schools, this is one area where teachers and administrators should keep a close eye on the students.

- Software piracy, copying software that is already purchased is unacceptable but is fairly easy to do over the internet.

Social Issues in the Digital Age:

Equity and accessibility of technology are the most pressing and critical. Inequity of technology can mean some children will leap in technological skills and readiness than other children. The children with access are left with a greater advantage than those without.

Ethical Issues in the Digital Age:

The largest concern is freedom of speech and the internet. The question is whether or not society should censor some views expressed on the internet. Teachers need to be aware that such things are accessible on the internet that are not appropriate. Proper use of the internet is key in its success in broadening the knowledge of the student.

Week Eleven (Chapter 9 & 10), Question 3

What is distance education? What types of support are critical to the success of distance education? Why?

Distance education is designed to deliver education to students who are not physically "on site" in a traditional classroom. The supports that are critical to the success of distance education are teachers that stay on top of the needs of the students in the class, a well-thought out and designed course of study, internet access, and a computer. These supports are critical because without these, it will be very difficult, if not impossible for the student to succeed.