Digital Citizenship, Literacy, & Responsible Learning Practices
Introduction
The presence of technology in a majority of societies life is pretty prevalent. It is used to communicate, to learn, for entertainment, and allow us to do things that couldn't quite possibly happen 10, 5, or even a few years ago. Technology is ever-changing and the fact that students are constantly plugged in means that it is something that must be on our radar too. Being aware of their activity and how to properly use digital devices to keep themselves protected is an important aspect to the Online and Blended Learning platforms.
Thought Process
Using https://www.canva.com/ and sources based on https://www.commonsense.org/ an infographic was created to highlight the areas of focus for Digital Citizenship while in the classroom. Common Sense Media provides educators, families, and individuals with valuable resources and materials that help navigate the world of technology to make our students safer and knowledgeable about the digital world around them.
Reflection
Original Blog Post
https://chyartblog.wordpress.com/2019/03/11/a-teachers-takeaway-of-the-iste-standards/
The 21st Century Teacher is currently part of one of the best periods for teaching and learning. Having technology at the tips of our fingerprints truly allows us to create learning experiences for our students that in the past never could be possible. Therefore, teachers are also the first models and advocates for students when they embark in using technology correctly.
iNACOL Area of Approach when it comes to Blended Learning qualities of a teacher and creating awareness of global, social, and appropriate digital functionalities:
iNACOL Blended Learning Competencies
A great tool to be on point and on track of successfully stealing students towards correct usage of digital resources is the ISTE Standards for teachers.
ISTE Standards for Teachers
The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) main goal is to motivate, inspire, and educate teachers on how to infuse technology into their classroom by creating unique means of learning, guiding students to appropriate use of digital materials, and setting a standard for critical thinking and application through the use of technology. You can read about ISTE and their Vision and Mission here:
https://www.iste.org/about/about-iste
Reflection of Current Practices and the ISTE Standards
1. Facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity -
One contributing factor to having a Blended Learning Environment in the classroom - it is so easy to develop creativity and inspiration amongst students. When creating blended learning station rotations or infused tech-based learning projects - my own creativity, grander level of “real world” awareness, and connection to personalized pathways for learning - truly ignite! My passion is to create unique experiences of learning that cater to students own individualized creation or development throughout the unit. The rigor and concepts presented are there for students to feel connected to tangible scenarios that potentially will open their eyes to things they never knew before or even help them develop skills to navigate successfully through life.
My own takeaway:
Make learning interesting and create your units or at least modify the curriculum to fit the needs of your students and even your own. Include creative extensions to learning - have them draw, free write, collaborate on a project, or just dream/brainstorm their own ideas of their learning.
2. Design and develop digital age learning experiences and assessments
For some reason, I can’t stand curriculum-based assessments - water down, unrealistic, not engaging…. the list goes on and on. Therefore assessments are better when they are generated by the teacher. A recent read given to me by my principal by Timothy Shanahan confirmed my hesitations of cookie cutter comprehension question-based assessments.
http://www.readingrockets.org/blogs/shanahan-literacy/if-you-really-want-higher-test-scores-rethink-reading-comprehension
A key takeaway from that article was that “The teaching of reading comprehension and learning from the text should focus on how to help students surmount these cognitive, linguistic, and intellectual barriers. Rather than having kids practice answering particular kinds of questions, comprehension instruction should be aimed at teaching students” -Shanahan (2017)
My own takeaway:
Creating authentic and assessments that instead of asking for what is the main idea is or infer of information or evaluate content, instead, we should focus on skills of interpreting learning and the use of metacognitive skills to understand that learning and comprehension is taking place based on each students’ unique perspective.
3. Model digital age work and learning
To be effective, educators must possess effective skills that are current and cutting edge. Technology changes almost overnight, therefore teachers must keep the pace. If tools are what we are teaching students, the idea of supporting students’ knowledge of how tools can be used to better support learning and products of learning - teachers must be those role models.
My own takeaway:
Being a part of #PLN would be a great connection to this need of learning. Being able to tap into inspiration from fellow teachers all over the world, being updated on the most unique and current trends in technology, and connecting to a growth midst of blended learning pedagogies are a necessary component to modeling that expectation.
4. Promote and model digital citizenship and responsibility
From recent personal experience with my own students and obviously current society topics around responsibilities of digital behavior, this area is currently the one that many young tweens and teens need to be aware of. With their use of digital devices increases on a daily basis giving them the protocols of how to be safe online is extremely important.
My own takeaway:
Exposing students to real-life scenarios based on scenarios of how we use technology appropriately can be the best way that we can support their success. Talk with students about how they are using social media platforms, show them how to responsibly share information, and remind them how to engage safely and positively on a global digital level.
5. Engage in professional growth and leadership
Teachers are at the utmost importance in a student’s life and therefore contenting to fine-tune our craft and pedagogies will only create success in students lives.
Always referring back to John Hattie and Visible Learning and with the update of the number factor for students’ success (Collective Teacher Efficacy), it is upon ourselves as educators to be the positive change students need to succeed. Within that idea, educates must exemplify appropriate use of technology, continue to develop professionally in new areas of technology, and also promote leadership qualities within technology in their own lives to inspire students on a grander level.
https://visible-learning.org/2018/03/collective-teacher-efficacy-hattie/
My own takeaway:
Being able to try new things, challenge oneself, and seek more knowledge when it comes to technology in the classroom is so important in today’s classroom. Participating in continuing education is the first step to making gains as an educator when it comes to acquiring new skills in the tech-based world. When we seek knowledge and share that new knowledge with our students, that alone shows that life is about constantly seeking out learning and that being a life long learner will not only lead to success but also will show that the human spirit alone thrives on being able to be a part of new and creative elements - and what better way to meet that need then constantly developing our technology-based education.
Works Cited
National Standards for Quality Online Teaching. INACOL, Oct. 2011, www.inacol.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/national-standards-for-quality-online-teaching-v2.pdf.
Shanahan, Timothy. "If You Really Want Higher Test Scores: Rethink Reading Comprehension Instruction". ReadingRockets.org. November 16, 2017. http://www.readingrockets.org/blogs/shanahan-literacy/if-you-really-want-higher-test-scores-rethink-reading-comprehension
Hattie, John. Visible Learning for Teachers: Maximizing Impact on Learning. Routledge, 2012.
