As a teacher and a mother, I do the best I can to keep all of my kids (at home and at school) safe. I monitor them outside and inside to make sure they don't get hurt and teach them to make smart decisions. But, what about when I can't see everything they're doing? What about when they're on the computers at school or on their smartphone? Safety is an important issue that schools address from the very beginning. Each year we pass out the infamous stack of papers to be returned signed, which also contains our Acceptable Use Policy. It outlines appropriate and inappropriate use of the internet and devices during school functions and/or at the school. No longer is there a "NO CELL PHONE POLICY" throughout the school campus. It's hard to believe that only 5 years ago, we were told that phones were to be left at home and not allowed in the classroom. Now it isn't the few in middle school that have a phone, it's the majority; so safety must be addressed.
In the classroom, teachers teach classroom expectations and should include computer/internet expectations too. Students and teachers should work together to promote digital citizenship in the classroom. According to Amy Borovoy, ""Digital citizenship" is an umbrella term that covers a whole host of important issues. Broadly, it's the guidelines for responsible, appropriate behavior when one is using technology. But specifically, it can cover anything from "netiquette" to cyberbullying; technology access and the digital divide; online safety and privacy; copyright, plagiarism, and digital law, and more." On Ms. Borovoy's Youtube playlist, "Teaching Digital Citizenship," she has included 11 videos to illustrate digital citizenship. Teachers work hard to monitor websites that students utilize by walking around the room and physically checking screens. (*Sidenote: CTRL+shift+T reopens tabs that were recently closed*) There are also monitoring programs that teachers can have downloaded so that they can see what each student sees on his or her screen. And while these are excellent during the school day, students need these guidelines at home too. Recently, I watched a video about Amanda Todd. If you don't know her story, Google it. More than getting on silly game sites, teenagers and children can go to or stumble on dangerous sites that really put their well-being at risk. Stressing to students that nothing ever just goes away and that the decisions they make now can affect them years later is a start to helping them realize the importance of their actions. Some websites that are great tools for teachers when they are discussing this with their students are:Here are a few videos to get you started in your classroom.This website has a variety of resources including digital citizenship lesson plans and printouts for students on cyberbullying, sexting, etc. If you haven't browsed Edutopia, you should! Included in its vast array of information are great articles on how teachers can teach and introduce students to digital citizenship.
As we prepare for the future of digital invention, we should know that things we consider new and innovative may be obsolete. One idea that has been projected by the Horizon Report to be implemented in the next few years by schools is Cloud Computing. I found this to be interesting, because in all other aspects of public domain (cell phones, computers, etc.), using a "cloud" to store information or pictures is common. Cloud Computing would help schools provide up-to-date, cost-effective textbooks without the worry of damage or becoming too old. Another idea that is to be more common is the Mashup. Mashups are many different feeds of apps, feeds, or pages into one viewing area. Feedly is a good example of this. Similar to Twitter, Feedly shows you information from people and sites that you add to your feed and information that is related.
In the classroom, teachers teach classroom expectations and should include computer/internet expectations too. Students and teachers should work together to promote digital citizenship in the classroom. According to Amy Borovoy, ""Digital citizenship" is an umbrella term that covers a whole host of important issues. Broadly, it's the guidelines for responsible, appropriate behavior when one is using technology. But specifically, it can cover anything from "netiquette" to cyberbullying; technology access and the digital divide; online safety and privacy; copyright, plagiarism, and digital law, and more." On Ms. Borovoy's Youtube playlist, "Teaching Digital Citizenship," she has included 11 videos to illustrate digital citizenship. Teachers work hard to monitor websites that students utilize by walking around the room and physically checking screens. (*Sidenote: CTRL+shift+T reopens tabs that were recently closed*) There are also monitoring programs that teachers can have downloaded so that they can see what each student sees on his or her screen. And while these are excellent during the school day, students need these guidelines at home too. Recently, I watched a video about Amanda Todd. If you don't know her story, Google it. More than getting on silly game sites, teenagers and children can go to or stumble on dangerous sites that really put their well-being at risk. Stressing to students that nothing ever just goes away and that the decisions they make now can affect them years later is a start to helping them realize the importance of their actions. Some websites that are great tools for teachers when they are discussing this with their students are:Here are a few videos to get you started in your classroom.This website has a variety of resources including digital citizenship lesson plans and printouts for students on cyberbullying, sexting, etc. If you haven't browsed Edutopia, you should! Included in its vast array of information are great articles on how teachers can teach and introduce students to digital citizenship.
As we prepare for the future of digital invention, we should know that things we consider new and innovative may be obsolete. One idea that has been projected by the Horizon Report to be implemented in the next few years by schools is Cloud Computing. I found this to be interesting, because in all other aspects of public domain (cell phones, computers, etc.), using a "cloud" to store information or pictures is common. Cloud Computing would help schools provide up-to-date, cost-effective textbooks without the worry of damage or becoming too old. Another idea that is to be more common is the Mashup. Mashups are many different feeds of apps, feeds, or pages into one viewing area. Feedly is a good example of this. Similar to Twitter, Feedly shows you information from people and sites that you add to your feed and information that is related.
I like that with Feedly you are able to see many related articles to what you already have added in your feed. I also like how it isn't overwhelming, like Twitter can be at times. I think that this benefits me more as a teacher. If I were a Social Studies teacher, students could use this to research or find current event topics to discuss in class or use for a project. Because of the set up, Feedly could be more attractive to my students who are unable to physically look up information but could follow the trail through to sites.
As with any new and exciting movement, there will be hiccups and potholes. Educators can help navigate through the digital age by informing themselves and their students of incidents that could and have happened. The advantages will range from easier, faster, better presented content to easier, faster, and better assessment.
Resources
EdTech Team. 5 Excellent Videos to Teach Your Students about Digital Citizenship ~ Educational Technology and Mobile Learning. Retrieved April, 2016, from http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2013/10/5-excellent-videos-to-teach-your.html
K-12 Digital Citizenship Curriculum | Common Sense Media. (2016). Retrieved April, 2016, from https://www.commonsensemedia.org/educators/digital-citizenship
Digital Citizenship: Resource Roundup. (2011, August). Retrieved April, 2016, from http://www.edutopia.org/article/digital-citizenship-resources