Week+8

Week 8 __Acceptable Use Policies for Internet Use __
 * AUP's critical to cover a school legal bases
 * teaches good life skills to students, introduced to contracts that people will need to enter into
 * if you break the contract you face consequences, like would happen in the real world
 * also helps teachers since, "the AUP can also be a helpful tool for teachers, offering guidance on how best to integrate the Internet into their classrooms."
 * teaches responsibility to students, which will help them when they become adults in the real world
 * gives a clear outline of the standards of practice that the school will expect of students
 * parents can rest easy knowing their children are safe when using the Internet at school
 * as well, will usually contain a "disclaimer absolving the school district from responsibility, under certain circumstances"

__Media Literacy __
 * **Media literacy is the ability to sift through and analyze the messages that inform, entertain and sell to us every day. It's the ability to bring critical thinking skills to bear on all media— from music videos and Web environments to product placement in films and virtual displays on NHL hockey boards. It's about asking pertinent questions about what's there, and noticing what's not there. And it's the instinct to question what lies behind media productions— the motives, the money, the values and the ownership— and to be aware of how these factors influence content.** Courtesy of: http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/teachers/media_literacy/what_is_media_literacy.cfm
 * Media literacy is important in 2010 because it is key that students in today's age are able to make informed choices, which media literacy will enable them to do
 * as well students will be able to develop their reasoning skills by thinking critically about info they're bombarded with
 * sets them up to be well informed in their decisions as adults after high school

__Comic Life__ In my history classes I would have students use Comic Life to recreate famous historical scenes, famous speeches or recreate historical events to show alternative endings or outcomes.

__Bitstrips __ This is my Avatar, made in Bitstrips.
 * Bitstrips is much simpler then ComicLife
 * comes preloaded with images and characters
 * don't have to worry about copyright issues
 * quicker to use for a student and to set-up
 * also allows you to insert your avatar into your own comic
 * can make your avatar look however you want, not constrained by reality

__Assistive Technologies__
 * Would you have to be a Spec Ed teacher to use Write Outloud and Co-writer?
 * I do not think you need to have any special knowledge to use them, but a Ministry expert would be best to help a student get set-up on these programs
 * very easy to get running
 * wide usage for different level of needs that students will have
 * can be used in ESL classes to help immigrant students to learn English quicker
 * has nice features that allow students to hear what they are writing and fairly accurate word prediction