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.