Most of us recognize that schools should be helping students learn how to do deep, rich, technology-infused knowledge work that prepares them for future citizenship, college, work, and other life needs. Many principals and superintendents, however, are struggling to balance the need to technologically empower students with countervailing organizational concerns regarding safety, respectful behavior, and the law. In my conversations with school administrators about Internet safety and student technology usage, I use many of the talking points below. Use some of them to spark a conversation with your local educators and community.
If wanted to take a mooc - do you have any recommendations on what to avoid? I am interested in digital storytelling and all things video game (and gamification).
Use our new Scope & Sequence tool to find the lessons that are just right for your classroom. These cross-curriculular units spiral to address digital literacy and citizenship topics in an age appropriate way. Browse by grade band or click a category to highlight the lessons that address that topic. You can download a PDF of the new Scope & Sequence here. Read more about the recent updates to the curriculum in our blog.
Also, take a look at the definitions of our 8 categories in our Curriculum Overview. And for reference, you can access the former Scope & Sequence here.
"A better approach is positive general principles. Tell students what you want them to do. My favorite model is the four Tribes agreements that are displayed prominently in my class and discussed and practiced every day:
Attentive Listening- Pay close attention to what others are saying. Check for understanding
Appreciation Only- Treat each other kindly, don't use put-downs.
Right to Pass- Choose when and how much you participate. It's acceptable to simply observe.
Mutual Respect- Affirm the value and uniqueness of everyone."
"the staff needed to educate themselves on how personal devices could be used as a learning tool. New Milford's teaching staff set out to teach students about three main focal points when it came to allowing personal devices in their classrooms. They started with demonstrating digital responsibility, digital citizenship and creating positive digital footprints. These points would establish a learning environment that would inform students about what was expected of them, as well as set a foundation for years to come when they enter the work force."
"Shows like To Catch a Predator sensationalize and feed the fear of parents having their child exposed to a child predator. It is a real fear and certainly a serious consideration.The facts however support evidence that over 90% of child predators are family members, close family friends, or clergy. We do not ban family picnics, playgrounds, family reunions, or church functions. There are no laws addressing these issues.The best way to defend our children against these threats is to educate them. Warn or rather teach them of the dangers,make them aware of the possibilities.Or, we can lock them away, effectively banning them from the outside world in which they will eventually have to live, leaving them to use whatever they picked up on their own about responsible digital citizenship, a topic probably not stressed outside of education."
"This presentation will outline the topic of digital citizenship, footprint, and identity for adult basic/upgrading educators. This topic is especially important in better understanding the common use of youth and adults with social media and both negative and positive outcomes that results from technological illiteracy or misuse. The presentation focuses on a positive, empowered view of technology rather than one of restricting and banning use."
"Some districts have started implementing responsible digital use guidelines or empowered digital use policies. Regardless of the title you choose, it should provide a sense of purpose for using technology beyond the idea that "said devices may get me in trouble.""
The Case Foundation, created by Steve Case and Jean Case in 1997, invests in people and ideas that can change the world. We create and support initiatives that leverage new technologies and entrepreneurial approaches to drive innovation in the social sector and encourage individuals to get involved with the communities and causes they care about.
""These devices have become such an entrenched part of our lives that who can really accurately gauge their own media use?" said Hoffman, associate professor of communication. "Scholars have surveyed people about how and why they use media, but that use is very fluid. It's so interspersed with other daily activities that most people would find it difficult to say exactly how many minutes they spend on particular kinds of websites.""