In reflecting about how to use this text in my classroom, I first had to identify what I didn't know or didn't do myself. Being what November calls a "Digital Immigrant", I found my skills seriously lacking compared to my students. There were some other elements that I'm probably more familiar with simply by being an adult. For example, I have made purchases via the Internet with my credit card and am aware of sites that look untrustworthy. I also have etiquette-at times I'm shocked by what is posted on my face book page by people I know..I would have thought they'd have more sense! I will usually 'hide' certain posts because I don't want other people thinking I'd advocate for the type of language or content. If my students are to learn from me, then I need to have safe Internet practices. Just recently, I Googled myself and found that I really didn't want just anyone knowing I had two children and my address.
I am creating a lesson for my students to collaborate and create a teen-friendly Weebly page for one of the nine elements to digital citizenship. This idea was also mentioned as one of the lessons in Mike Ribble's book. I enjoyed his clear examples of how to integrate this text into teachable moments in school. For example, being an English teacher, I emphasize citing all quotes when supporting thoughts with text examples. When students created stories with images, they asked about citing their Internet sources and images. They were able to transfer their knowledge about paper text to digital text. I also want my students to get more information about ways to electronically communicate in a positive manner so I'd like to incorporate more venues. This text has really made me think about how to revamp my lessons to be more engaging and technology centered. Having been more paper/pencil 'old school' I need to actively search for formats that will work for particular assignments. There are several staff members at my school who have said they are virtually paper free and loving it! I know I need to overcome my fears about technology, and by arming myself with information through readings, I can begin to implement more 21st century real-life projects. Although my students seem to be most familiar with Tumblr, Wiki spaces, Twitter, texting, and Face book, there are so many other ways to share information. The more my knowledge increases, the better planned I will be. Thinking of my end product as a form of digital representations is changing the way I design my lessons and instructional time. I think that I am a bit reluctant to use certain technology in school because I am either not familiar with them or they are banned from the high school. There are excessive firewalls on the student computers and the filters slow down digital communication. Some that the students have used are readily accessible, however, such as blogger, weebly, tagxedo, and bubbl. Students used powerpoint and prezi to create collaborative short stories for class. The science teacher and I created a mystery case for the team students to solve (part of a project for The Rag and Bone Shop by Robert Cormier). After observing the crime scene and online information about fibers, blood splatter, and deductive reasoning, they took photos and used Imovie to create a trailer. In completing this activity, they had to communicate, collaborate,and use critical thinking skills. CCSS Literacy standard SL.9-10.5 states that students should strategically use digital media in presentations to enhance their understanding of findings, reasoning, and evidence. Students were able to present their trailers to team members.
Digital Citizenship in Schools: post #3 revised again
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2 comments:
Alicia- I love the lesson you are creating and commend the fact that you are taking on this project that will be a learning experience not only for your students, but for you, too. I, too, consider myself a "digital immigrant" and also found Mike Ribble's book extremely informative and love how it has included ideas for student activities and lesson plans. Like you, I am also trying to plan unit with the end product being a type of digital representation, and this truly has changed the way I designed my lessons. I find my students much more engaged and invested in the work they are doing. I still need to overcome my fears about technology but agree that this book has certainly helped alleviate much of my anxiety.
I love the idea of becoming virtually paperless as well. I also have co-workers at my school that are working on using less paper and pencil. Although, I am old school and like my students to do some things with paper and pencil; I am warming up to the idea of going digital. I have recently set up a student laptop in my classroom and my students are loving it! I am looking into finding new ways for all of them to use technology more, under my close guidance of course. I am still not comfortable using tablets and applications? Are you? Are your students allowed to use their cell phones and other devices in your school and classroom? Our seventh and eighth graders are now allowed to, which is new this year. I agree with Nicole that the students are going to really enjoy your lessons because they will be more motivated and engaged. Congratulations!
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