Third Journal Entry/Digital Citizenship Assignment

“Digital Citizenship”
By Mike S. Ribble, Gerald D. Bailey and Tweed W. Ross
For me it is very easy to see how the learning environment has changed with the addition of technology in the classroom. The reason for this is that I am a digital immigrant. What I had in the classroom when I was in school and college is nothing to what the students have in the classroom today. I remember having to use a typewriter for all of my high school and college papers (no word processor). Research was done in the library. You had to pick up a phone if you wanted to communicate with another person. Now all these items have been replaced with fast paced technology. Students have instant information via the web and hand held devices. A word processor has replaced the slow typewriter. The library can be found in your home via the computer. Communication has been made simple with hand held computers and cell phones. It is a wonderful time to be a student with all the technical tools available to assist you in your educational experience. Basically the world can be found in the classroom via technology. Students are going to be more global than when I went to school.
With the new age of technology also comes the responsibility of teaching the students the appropriate behavior and practices when using the technology. These social skills include learning how to safeguard yourself and your computer from viruses and predators. Being able to shop online and be responsible for those purchases. Being responsible for your actions with the computer would address the copyright and plagiarism issues. Even communicating with others requires knowledge of the general conventions in such activities as writing emails. This would include when it is appropriate to replying to all or writing messages in all upper case letters (viewed as yelling to the recipient).

Q1: How can you show your students appropriate behavior regarding technology?
A1: The biggest way to teach your students is to practice what you preach. The teacher needs to be a role model for appropriate behavior so the students can have an example of what is acceptable.

Q1: Is technology the only area students need to learn proper behavior?
A2: Absolutely not. A teacher will always be a role model to the students in every facet of the classroom. Teachers are not only teaching the California Standards but also how students can become productive citizens in society.

Second Journal Reading

“Technology Literacy and the MySpace Generation”
By Susan McLester
I do not think I was ever against students using technology to enhance their learning. However, because I am a digital immigrant, I can be a little intimidated by some aspects of technology. After reading this article I can see the benefits of students becoming more involved with technology. The future of our country will be based on technology and how we can adapt to its constant changes. We need students who can be creative and innovative with technology. This can be obtained by students learning and being exposed to technology at the elementary level. We also need to develop students who can think globally and are aware of the existing cultures that surround us. With technology I feel students can gain a better understanding of the world and its cultures.
I did hesitate to enter the 21st century and all its wonderful technology. But that is only because I am a digital immigrant. I have never really been taught anything about computers and its technology. It can be very overwhelming for a novice like my self. I do not want my children feeling the way I feel with technology, and they do not. They have no problem sitting a computer and just exploring. I am completely for students learning all they can about technology because that will be the way of the world in their future.
Q1: What kinds of technology can a teacher incorporate even at the young Kindergarten level?
A1: Making use of a computer in the class with software that supports curriculum being taught within the classroom is one way an elementary teacher could use technology. An example would be math and reading program to enrich the teaching. I would also encourage research on topics that could be looked up on the internet. Even playing games on the computer is introducing technology with some students.
Q2: Is the computer going to replace the teacher?
A2: No! Students need the socialization of daily interaction with each other face to face. I do feel that the classroom environment will become more global because of computers. But there will always be a school for students to physically attend.

First Journal Reading

"Chatting It Up Online"
By Pamela Livingston

I found this article to be interesting and very informative. Because I am so new to the internet and all its offerings, I would never have considered using a chat room as an educational tool until I read this article. The students that were allowed to sit and have a live chat with one of their favorite authors must have been thrilled to see their own personal questions being answered live by the author herself. Not only did this chat teach the students about technology, but it also encouraged the students to read the author’s books.
It was also informative to read about all the work the teachers and technical staff had to complete prior to the live chat. I thought the recommendations the author suggested throughout the article would be beneficial to any teacher working with technology. It is important to teach your students about online etiquette. She also suggested testing the connections several times prior to the event as well as keeping the technical support of the school aware of the event too. It was also recommended that the instructor check the room/environment where the event was to take place to make sure that all would be perfect on the day of the event.
Q1: How receptive would teacher be to helping with a project like this?
A1: From what I have observed and seen at my own children’s school, I would like to think that the teachers would be very receptive to the idea. I think they would help out as much as possible and it would definitely need to be a team effort.
Q2: What other areas could a teacher use a chat room in the classroom?
A1: I am still new to the technology world, but if it is possible it might be interesting to se up a chat room between classes within the same school. Possibly do group projects between the classrooms and the kids can communicate with each other. I don’t know the feasibility of this but it sounds interesting to me.

Welcome to the 21st Century

I have started my journey as a blogger. I will continue with my journal entry with my next entry.