TIETY-KK 1/2011

Establishing a purposeful online identity of which one can be proud is an important skill to teach students. Equally important is conveying the idea that being safe and responsible online does not mean hiding your identity, but rather defining it and owning it.  After all, If your child is not developing his/her digital footprint, who is?

Never before in history have kids had the ability to create and publish so much content, so easily. Never ever  have people had the ability to access so much information without leaving a seat. These are awesome abilities that come with awesome responsibilities. These abilities and responsibilities require skills that are taught and not inherited. Educators need to have the authority to teach these skills. Educators need to be trusted to teach these skills.

Sure banning is easy, but it is educational neglect to keep our heads in the sand or look the other way.  How better to support and empower kids in being safe and appropriate then to be their guides?  We certainly can’t help kids with proper and appropriate use, if the very tools they want to use are blocked.

Koko kouluyhteisöltä edellytetään nyky-yhteiskunnassa monipuolista medialukutaitoa ja kykyä ottaa tieto- ja viestintätekniset välineet laajalti osaksi työskentelyä. Näihin taitoihin sisältyvät mm. luova ajattelu, yhteistyötaidot, tiedon hankinta-, hallinta- ja käsittelytaidot, sosiaaliset taidot ja myönteinen asenne oppimiseen.

Opetuksen laatuun vaikuttaa sosiaalisen vuorovaikutuksen lisäksi fyysinen tila sekä virtuaaliset ja verkottuneet opiskelu- ja oppimisympäristöt, joissa opetus tapahtuu.

“Asking if there’s enough creativity in schools is like asking if there’s enough education in schools.