"Digital citizenship is a key component of the technology and media literacy. We
should not only teach our students how to be
good citizens in the real
physical world
but how they can be good netizens of the online world
as well.Today's learning requires alot of use of technology and most
imprtant of all, our students are using technology on a daily basis- text
messaging, blogging, Facebooking, Twittering, watching videos, gaming and
networking. They live in two different but interconnected worlds. What they do
online can have a severe repercussions on their real life if not properly
instructed on digital safety issues and this is where digital citizenship fits
in."
The SAMR (Substitution Augmentation Modification Redefinition) model is a framework used to evaluate the technology being employed (or that you'd like to employ) in your classroom. Basically, it offers a way for you to look at how technology integration might affect teaching and learning. Accordingly, many teachers and administrators who are in the process of choosing between classroom technology options employ the SAMR model to determine what might be worthwhile and what wouldn't.
As teachers, our plates are perpetually and impossibly full. The idea of adding one more component - such as incorporating technology into instruction - can seem daunting to say the least. In my own attempts to incorporate technology into my practice, Google has been the most valuable tool I have found thus far. Not only does it increase my ability to organize my instructional tools, but it also allows me to incorporate more technology when I feel ready to do so.
Technology impacts society in many ways - some of which are obvious and others more subtle - and those changes often call for changes in behavior. Etiquette is an important social construct that we tend to forget or ignore, but I would argue that etiquette has never been more important than now. One misstep could permanently damage or fracture your relationship with another.
In a recent webinar, more than 90% of school leaders responded that they were leading an innovative school as a result of the implementation of technology. At the end of the webinar, when polled again, only one leader claimed to be leading an innovative school. The complete reversal was due to a presentation of the Six Questions that you will read about in this article. This list of questions was developed to help educators be clear about the unique added value of a digital learning environment.
"Digital citizenship is " the norms of appropriate,
responsible
behavior
with regard to technology use."It is the
combination of technical and social skills that enable a person to be successful
and safe in the information age. Just like literacy and numeracy initiatives
which provide people with the skills to ' participate in the work force, digital
literacy has become an essential skill to be a confident, connected, and
actively involved life long learner.'"
Learn how to empower students to improve technology use in their own schools! These resources are based on lessons learned in our years of working with K-12 schools around the world building successful student-centered, student-led technology programs. These guides were written and are endorsed by us. Please use, print, and feel free to share them with your colleagues. Please use, print, and share with colleagues. We ask that you not modify, sell them, remove our name or copyrights, or use parts without attributing us. Other than that, we hope you link to them, download them, share them, and let us know if they were helpful!
"as a parent, when I got up to say a few words I simply acknowledged that for
many the whole technology thing is overwhelming and the audience's heads nodded
in agreement. And, I didn't speak about iPads or how they could be used. I
simply said that I had seen the number one reason why for this school and for
our children a 1:1 iPad program was the way to go. That reason was because the
teachers believed it was the way to go. And, we should back them."
Since keeping students on track is not always easy, sometimes the digital horse blinders need to be put on. Thankfully, this handy set of visuals from Primary Possibilities offers a guide to keeping students focused while using technology.
Expect much more from me on SAMR and its uses and impact. For now though, please have a look at my presentation on the brilliant framework for thinking about how you use technology in lessons by Dr Ruben Puentedura.
In my mind, we spend way too much time walking people through tedious lessons on how to do very basic things with technology in our schools. In many cases we would be better throwing the unopened boxes out to our staff and or students and let them figure it out on their own. But if we can escape our traditional upbringings here and look at the evidence here and the similar finding of Sugata Mitra with his Hole in the Wall Project, I believe we can move much faster.
When Sugata Mitra installed a computer in a slum wall in India, he had no idea it would later win him $US1 million to build a school on the internet that could spur an education revolution.
Dr Mitra, 61, was last week awarded the top TED Prize to pursue the promise of building virtual schools on the internet, where young minds can learn, unfettered by adult teachers.
"As an educator my life revolves around learning, organisation, workflow and
school requirements. Lessons are delivered, work is assessed and data is
recorded. Thankfully new technologies are providing ways of coping with the
increasing demands. Explain Everything is central my current workflow."
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At the end of the day, teaching is about learning, and learning is about understanding.
And as technology evolves to empower more diverse and flexible assessments forms, constantly improving our sense of what understanding looks like-during mobile learning, during project-based learning, and in a flipped classroom-can not only improve learning outcomes, but just might be the secret to providing personalized learning for every learner.
"Learn how to harness students' natural curiosity to develop self-directed learners. Discover how technology allows students to take ownership of their learning, create and share learning tools, and participate in work that is meaningful to them and others. Real-life examples illustrate how every student can become a teacher and a global publisher. The embedded QR codes link to supporting websites."
"Jennifer Symington, the Leader of Pedagogy at at the All Saints Catholic Girls College in Liverpool (Sydney), Australia. Teaching 12-16 year old students geography, English, math, history, and science, Jennifer has used Schoology for two years in her integrated studies course where she blends all the aforementioned subjects. Her video is a shining example of the incredible power of technology to foster global learning."