Write a blog post that reflects
your thoughts on Digital Citizenship. Who should be teaching this? What should
students know and be able to do? What should teachers know and do? What should
parents know and do? Be sure to include Thing 5 in the title of your post
title.
I find these questions to be very difficult to answer. It is difficult because it is a new concept
for me, and I am not confident in my ability to answer it completely. My best understanding is that Digital
Citizenship entails the appropriate, conscientious, and safe use of modern
technology. Digital Citizenship also
includes the understanding that long term ramifications result from words,
pictures, and interactions that happen online.
I believe that both teachers and parents should be teaching Digital
Citizenship. But again, we run into
difficulty because many teachers and parents are unfamiliar with the modern
technology that students are currently using.
So, although I can’t completely answer what parents and teachers should
be able to know and do, I think that they must begin by familiarizing
themselves with technology. As parents
and teachers do this, they will be able to teach about the dangers and pitfalls
of technology. Students have no problem
learning how to use modern technology tools. But they do need to understand how
to be respectful, courteous, and safe while online.
For young children, safety is probably the major concern. Knowing that 2-5 year olds have been the fastest growing group of Internet user, we can only hope that they did not begin surfing on their own, but had caring adults, both teachers and parents, who knew enough to guide them, talk with them about ways to stay safe, just as we do with fire safety, stranger danger, good dental health, drug abuse, and so many other areas where they could be harmed. Those early conversations can have o much long term impact. Sixth grade is too late to start talking about these issues.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your comments regarding "many teachers and parents are unfamiliar with the modern technology that students are currently using". We as teachers really must adapt to the changes that occur in society, especially technology.
ReplyDelete