Oops. I typed this up last week and forgot to post it. :-/
I began reading Digital Citizenship in Schools, and thus far I have been surprised the most by the idea of the "nine elements of digital citizenship." When I began reading about these elements, it made me realize that, growing up, my age group really experienced the broad spectrum of a brand new technology that CALLED for these elements to be cast into place.
I remember the Internet and computers BEFORE there was a need for anti-virus programs. My father signed up for AOL when I was in either third or fourth grade, way back in 1993 or '94, and I remember using a chat room for kids for the first time. It was amazing- you typed in your thoughts to another person, and they responded to you immediately. It was instantaneous mail. I remember meeting two or three other kids my age and swapping addresses with them in order to be pen pals. (I know, sounds corny...) However, reminiscing on this makes me think immediately of element nine, digital security. The idea that you were not safe when sharing information over the Internet never even crossed my mind of the mind of my father. It seemed harmless and was a neat way to meet other students in states across the nation.
In order to implement the nine elements of digital citizenship, I would first need to share and discuss them with each of my classes. When I think about my own experiences as a kid, I realize how often kids today still act in this manner. In terms of internet safety, I think that this is an important discussion to have with my students. Many of them have experienced digital events where they felt unsafe or insecure. Whether it is an attack from an anti-virus, or a fake Facebook friend, these types of digital dangers can be real and vivid. Most often students balk at rules and regulations if they don’t understand the root need. Through discussion of why each of the nine elements is important, most students would begin to understand the bigger picture and would learn to accept why the elements are necessary.
Digital citizenship
One of the most important aspects of the NETs is the idea of digital safety. The standard states that teachers should “Advocate, model, and teach safe, legal, and ethical use of digital information and technology, including respect for copyright, intellectual property, and the appropriate documentation of sources.” (NETs) Part of doing this is setting the basic rules that we expect students to live by. When students understand their parameters, they are better able to live by them. One way in which to implement this understanding might be to provide each student with a list of the nine elements, and then ask for them to write about what each element would look like when implemented correctly. Conversely, it is also beneficial for students to know what these elements look like when they are NOT being followed and as such, students would also write about what this might look like. In having students explore the nine elements, the beginnings of respectful technology use would begin to take root throughout the classroom.
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2 comments:
While I agree that we can't rely on the parents to teach responsible Internet use, I think we have to acknowledge that it will be the parents' Internet behavior that will be the model for the student. Most (but not all) parents that I have contact with are quite responsible and carefully monitor their children's online activity. But the judge of good character is what we do when no one is looking. I think we, as teachers can model proper online correspondence by hosting a blog. That will give us the chance to read and edit posts of our students before they get published. Good behavior becomes a habit.
Connie, I agree with you. I think one of the best things we as teachers can do is continue to model good technological behavior. In this way we can show students how to act without taking on a other role or job. Through using a classroom blog, or technology sites, etc., we are investing ourselves in technology and showing our students how they can use technology in an appropriate and useful manner. Rather than feeling weighed down by the responsibility of teaching kids how to use technology, we can just use it ourselves and teach them in the process.
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