This weeks inquiry question asks us to take an evaluative look at the 9 Element of Digital Citizenship (Ribble, 2007). When I consider the suggested framework that can be used to identify current areas of need/support to implement technology, I see important areas that need attention in our school.
Access: Internet/wifi is widely available in our community with excellent connectivity at our school. What we lack are tech tools (computers, laptops, and chromebooks). Students own personal devices (cellphones and ipads) and log in to school wifi to access information for research (google it), but rarely use productivity software. To achieve Ribble’s ideas of full electronic participation in society, our school needs to address the accessibility deficit. While we cannot solve the issue of home access to technology tools and internet, we can lessen the digital divide in the classroom by purchasing computers and setting up professional development training for instruction, to encourage tech use in the classroom. Model a learning process by finding strategic ways to embed tech into every lesson.
Communication: Instant messaging has its pros and cons when using it for communication with the home and parents. The instant access feature does come with some costs! When we reach out through a social network (messanger, texts), we risk our digital identity possibly becoming compromised. Teachers and school staff must practice professionalism and adhere to the guidelines of effective communication. Expecting our students to act responsibly by teaching and modeling responsible behaviors for using tech devices as part of learning can deter inappropriate use in the classroom. Our school gives some freedom to use cell phones outside the classroom, but lets teachers decide on use of the devices in their classroom. When we have a lack of computers for class use, our teachers adhere to the “only use your cell phone and wifi for assignments”. Short term answer only!
Literacy: This is an area that needs attention in most classrooms. Teaching our students the appropriate way to use tech to support and enhance their learning is done while learning with technology – but this is not often the case. My students often resort to what they think is the easiest and fastest way to finish assignments – google research! Taking the time to engage with digital technology and its intended outcome to support learning will require classroom instruction. The lack of computers or laptops places a demand for students to use their personal devices more often, which raises the question of who can access their information when its being stored on their devices. Professional development is needed to help teachers understand how technology can support curriculum.
Mrs. Ramona Alexson 
Really good ideas here Ramona! I agree with what you said in the areas of access and literacy as major areas of need in the school that I work at as well. When it comes to the area of accessibility, it is difficult for schools to be able to stay up to date with the constant flow of new technologies, especially as costs continue to go up and up. This is then only exacerbated by the current problems we have with technology access in our school, whether it be a lack of computers or insufficient wifi.
As well, I agree that literacy is one of the biggest needs that students need to be engaged digital citizens. Taking in information in a digital form is inherently different from previous forms. People have more power to dig far deeper than they could before, but messages can also be more easily manipulated. We should be trying to empower our students to look for the deeper messages behind their media, and try to find the truth beyond the narrative.
Great post!
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Thanks for your comments on communication, Ramona. I didn’t initially think of the communication piece in this way…but as you touch on accessibility of communication has changed significantly. I think we as teachers are still getting used to this idea of parents and students having a constant level of communication access to us. The consequences of this are still being felt out I think, with one consequence being a blurred line between our work and personal lives.
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Hi Cole. Communication is always in the back of my mind because of how connected the world is now. My point I tried to make was that we, as professionals, must do better at online communication. What we write and share will be viewed by someone at some point in the day. My students find me on Messenger and will write me a short message about attendance or ask questions about assignments. I know that there is a fine line between social media accounts and school communications, but this seems to be the fastest way to get message out. Instant access to any form of communication can be a pro or con. I think its our professional responsibility to stay vigilant about content and context. Thank you for responding.
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Hi Ramona! If your students think Google is fast at helping them finish their assignments I would like to see the expressions on their faces when they discover how fast chatGPT is 🙂 I feel the communication piece is huge with students this day and age. I agree that we can be role models but I believe it needs to be a collaborative process with home also modeling and monitoring what is being communicated. Thanks for the post.
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