ISTE 5 Module Digital Citizenship

ISTE 5 Module Digital Citizenship

Triggering Event:

How can we help students understand safety, cultural, and privacy issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior?

Resource:

• Ribble, M. & Miller, T.N. (2013) Educational Leadership in an Online World: Connecting Students to Technology Responsibly, Safely, and Ethically. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 17:1 (2013): 137-45.

My Triggering Event Question: What expectations and rules can I teach students when doing web-based projects. in regards to using the web safely and protecting personal information?

Standard 5 is such an important element of teaching when implementing technology in the classroom. Teachers are always being pulled in various directions and can never truly monitor each student while they are on the computer. By giving students the resources and expectations needed to search the web appropriately, student productivity and quality of work should increase. The site "Get Safe Online," https://www.getsafeonline.org/protecting-yourself/searching-the-internet/ outlines eight valuable tips on how students can think more critically about what they do when searching the web. 

In the required reading Ribble and Miller remind us that the web has become a breeding ground for Cyber Bullying. This kind of attack on students is harsh because it is not happening on the playground or the classroom in the classic sense, making it harder for teachers to take control of the situation. My concern was the effects my students will feel because they are so willing to share their personal information not only when accessing the internet at school but also in their social media during their own time. Ribble and Miller say " technology has begun to affect students in other aspects of their lives as well (e.g., health, safety, and respect for others)." And I agree. On Snap Chat you can see where my students live, their bedrooms and where they are located or on their way to. This kind of information in the wrong hands, in particular for a young woman, can create a serious issue.

I created my "Triggering Event Question" with the intention to find strategies to teach my students better ways to use the internet/websites in school. Crazily, I got sidetracked by many articles on social media and the number of unfortunate events that accrue. Sadly adolescents are so carefree with who they invite into their lives through social media things like bullying,sex trafficking, and many other horrible events have crept into our student's lives.

In the grand scheme of things, I did not answer my question past my initial search, but I for sure will be more diligent in reminding my students to think before they post and be mindful of who they are sharing information with.