Journal #8: Navigate the Digital Rapids

Lindsay , J, & Davis, V. (2010). Navigate the digital rapids. Learning and Leading With Technology, 37(6), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/LLIssues/Volume3720092010/MarchAprilNo6/Navigate_the_Digital_Rapids.htm

This article is about digital citizenship. It encourages teachers to not be timid or fearful of technology in the classroom, but rather to utilize it professionally. Teachers should not recycle their strategies and exercises from year to year, but rather they should constantly be improving and innovating new ways to reach their students. Similarly, technology is also dynamic just as a teachers lessons should be from year to year. Teachers should use this constant change to their benefit and act as a guide on the side for their students so that the learning is in the hands of the students. After teaching proper technology use in the classroom, the teacher should empower the students to be respectable digital citizens and only step in when necessary.

How can technology in the classroom lower the classroom walls?
The internet is a gateway to the world outside of the classroom. Rather than acting as a spectator and suring websites, students can communicate with other students and professionals in various fields. When students learn proper web etiquette, the internet is a wonderful tool that should be promoted. By commenting on threads, creating blogs and emailing quetions online, students can become members of a global community.

What are the threats behind empowering students with internet access?
Inevitably, some students will abuse their privilege to internet access. It is up to teachers to train and monitor their use so as to verify that they are appropriately staying on task. This article outlined that of the 3,000 students that were trained on proper internet utilization, less than 10 participated in questionable online activities. Most students are more mature and responsible than the educational system gives them credit for. As long as a teacher acts as a guide on the side while students are navigating the digital world, problems will be few and far between.