Journal #8: Navigate the Digital Rapids - NETS 4 & 5

Lindsay, Davis, J., V. (2010). Navigate the digital rapids. Learning & Leading with Technology, 37(6), Retrieved from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/20100304#pg1

How can we teach digital citizenship with constantly changing technology? This article submits that a digital teacher (digiteacher) must be up-to-date on technology trends, monitor students' use of technology, be unafraid to dive into the digital world, and create a system of student-centered learning. If these factors are present, a teacher can feel confident in overseeing students' digital citizenship.

One way to monitor technology and engage students is the use of an educational network. One example of an educational network currently in use is the "Flat Classroom Project" (http://www.flatclassroomproject.org/). This project encompasses a network of teachers and students that use Web 2.0 tools to collaborate online. In the project, students look at information technology trends and research how it will affect education in the future. All online networking sites used for the project are monitored by a teacher. The Flat Classroom Project also allows teachers to share and collaborate using blogs, wikis (online collaborative networks) and Nings (online networks for specific interests).

One important concept digiteachers struggle to teach their students is that an education network is different from a social network. The Flat Classroom Project teaches students that they need to act professionally and be culturally sensitive. This includes all aspects of their online environment, such as the type of language they use, the avatars (online animated picture of themselves) they use, and the types of information and pictures they upload. When a student uses textspeak or inappropriate pictures in the Flat Classroom Project, the teacher monitoring the situation will take appropriate action. Ongoing coaching is necessary to teach students responsibility and these networks usually have monitoring around the clock.

To monitor students and engage them in an educational network, a teacher must stay up-to-date on the current technology and changing trends through constant research. This knowledge accompanied with continual monitoring should alleviate fears they have regarding students’ online behavior.

Will I utilize collaborative online networks for my students to work with other classrooms? Will I be fearful of poor digital citizenship?

Since I plan to teach elementary school, I would likely use this type of digital learning for 4th-6th graders. If students have a chance to collaborate with other classrooms and hear other points of view and ways of completing projects, they will have a much richer learning experience. I am not fearful of poor digital citizenship. The key is to educate the students up front, have a classroom agreement about our online rules, and monitor.

Will students show good digital citizenship if they are given responsibility for their own educational network?

When students are given the opportunity to show responsibility they really step up to the plate—they feel a sense of importance and usually do the right thing. Additionally, a teacher should always monitor online educational networks, regardless of whether students have administration rights.