Journal #1

"Passport to Digital Citizenship" by Mike Ribble

Today, cell phones, lap tops, M3P Players and other such devices have become essential to day to day living. Mike Ribble suggests the importance of understanding all the elements of technology, especially correct and appropriate usage. It should be a goal of educators to teach students how to effectively and fairly communicate and collaborate in a global, digital community. It is imperative that students gain a digital citizenship. This is achieved when “students understand human, cultural and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior”. There are four important stages of in this process: awareness, guided practice, modeling and demonstration and feedback and analysis. Students need to be taught more than basics of technology; they need to understand what and what is not appropriate and ethical behavior. Teachers must provide an environment where students feel free to explore and take risks. Students are given the opportunity to learn from mistakes. Besides teaching the information, teachers should model and demonstrate what is expected of the students. Lastly, students and teachers need to communicate and discuss new ideas. Teachers and students benefit from feedback. Teachers are better able to analyze student progress when students’ input is used. With all the responsibilities of teachers, the importance and parents and community should not be overlooked. Parents can also be role models of good behavior and educate themselves regarding “digital society”. It would be ideal to have a “Universal Understanding” between school, home and community. As team players with a common goal, students would best be served.

Question #1: How can I, as a teacher, involve parents in educating their children about technology?

At the beginning of the year, I would create a clear list of guidelines for computer usage in my classroom, which could also be applied at home. With each requirement, I will explain why it is important not only for education but for being a moral and ethical member of society. Hopefully, the parents will follow the guidelines at home. At the least, the parents will be educated about state laws and education ethics.

Question #2: How can I model good behavior?

Since, online activity is private in nature, this might be difficult. I might show my students certain, appropriate emails from my personal account. Obviously, I would have to be extremely careful in choosing an email to use as a resource. I could also use a school related email.

Ribble, Mike. (2009 January). Passport to Digital Citizenship. Learning and Leading with Technology, 4, Retrieved March 1, 2009, from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/LLIssu