Journal #1 Passport to Digital Citizenship

Ribble, M (2008, December). Passport to digital citizenship. Learning & Leading with Technology, Retrieved Feb 2, 2009, from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/Current_Issue/L_L_November.htm

Mike Ribble's article dicusses the rise in technology use in all aspects of a person's life. We are inundated with technology in ways that were never thought imaginable 30 years ago. With this technology use also comes responsibility to ensure correct and responsible use. For students and their usage, teachers and parents collaboratively need to examine whether they are teaching students to use technology appropriately. Mike discusses 9 points that he feels are necessary to reflect upon to ensure technology's responsible use.
For me, what this article really drove home was the need for a truly collaborative effort between parents and teachers to ensure that students are safe and responsible in their computer and technology usage. Teachers can only teach so much. The next step becomes parent reinforcement at home. Keeping computers in common areas and knowing your childrens' websurfing habits are two ways that parents can reinforce correct technology useage at home. For parents who are not on the cutting edge of technology, this might feel like a daunting task.

Question 1. What are some good ways for teachers to educate students on digital citizenship?
First off, teachers need to role model good behavior and habits in their own personal life and in the classroom. Teachers should be mindful of what they post on the internet where their students might have access to it. Teachers can have lessons that offer students appropriate options for using the internet.

Question 2. How can teachers incorporate parents of all technology levels into the teaching of digital citizenship?
In many households today, children know more about technology than their parents. Teachers should encourage students to teach their parents new technology as this gives them a way to connect at home. Teachers should also make parents aware of resources in many districts that are available to them to learn more about computers. Many districts have evening adult classes or ROP programs during the day where adults can learn everything from turning on a computer to buying and selling on Ebay.

Intro Letter of Lauren

Hi, I'm Lauren Scirica. I'm a single mom of a four year old boy whom I adore. I am begining the process of getting my teaching credential from Cal State San Marcos so that I can eventually teach elementary school. I was born here in San Diego, lived for part of my childhood in Orange County and moved back to San Diego in time to attend Rancho Bernardo High. I attended UC Davis for my undergrad and received my BA from there in International relations. Go Aggies!! I was a tad tired of the political world at that point so I decided to do something different after graduation. I have been working in food service and retail since I graduated first as a assistant manager for Jamba Juice and more recently as a supervisor at Costco. However, the time has come, my friends, to not just talk of many things, but to actually FINALLY get my life back on the right track and to do something meaningful. Who wouldn't love a meaningful job with summers off?
My knowledge of technology is fairly varied but I would say that I qualify as an intermediate level. I am a PC user and can get around on the internet and basic functions of a computer with ease. My computer is not an extension of my life like some. I am not on myspace, don't have a facebook page and this is the first blog I have ever had. On the other hand, I managed the electronics department at Costco for the last year so I can explain the difference in LCD and plasma and help you hook up the wires behind your tv. I use office 2007 in my HP laptop.
Diversity and acceptance are two points that I have really tried to focus on in my life. In high school, I was actively involved in various organizations and activites that stressed this. I was in charge of the human relations conference and multicultural fair at the school. At Davis, I went a little less literal route and focused instead on strengthing a political party that I feel advocates diversity, social justice and letting everyones' voices be heard. The mission statement for the College of Education at Cal State San Marcos really seems to advocate these same ideas. This made my decision to attend CSUSM easy, especially since it's close to home and has a part time program. =)