Journal 8 Navigate the Digital Rapids Nets 4, 5

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

Summary
This article explores internet safety and how we as teachers approach or rather should approach internet use in the class room. The authors, Julie Lindsay and Vicki Davis, say using the internet safely in the class room is not much more than learning how to drive a car safely. Today though, there is an inherited fear factor involved that might inhibit teachers from taking advantage of the internet in the class room. They talk about digital citizenship as suppose to digital literacy. Digital citizenship encompasses so much more than digital literacy. Teachers need not limit themselves due to fear rather open up the door to customized learning in the class room while at the same time teaching the standards. Appropriate use of the internet needs to be taught as soon as the children start using the internet. If they are in Kindergarten using the internet, then they need to learn how to use it. If we let the students take charge of their digital use in the class room, with appropriate guidance, then we will also create responsible users of the internet, and as a result the students will come out of high school much more fluent in the digital world. If given ownership, then you also take ownership. Obstacles and misuse in the digital world will be dealt with just the same as any other misuse related to school assignments or work.

Reflection
I think this article is very much in line with some other once I have been reading. That is, we need to overcome the obstacles to why we should not use digital technology in the class room and teach the standards at the same time. Anything new…(it is still kind of new) can create fear in people or educators. They don’t feel confident enough to handle it. I do believe there needs to be well planned training sessions for educators on how to handle the digital use in the class room if used. Seems to me still though that the digital use that I am reading about in this article is far off from what is going on in the class rooms today. Where is all this technology, in what class rooms I would like to ask? I don’t see it very much at all. I was pleasantly surprised that the Scripps Ranch High School was going to purchase some Netbooks for their school. This is a big step forward. But only due to lots of private fundraising are they able to purchase Netbooks. It does not come from the regular public school budget. If we don’t incorporate digital use in the class room while teaching, then I think it should be part of the curriculum as a mandatory class to take. It is extremely important to be a digital citizen and to be digitally literate. I would question how well most students know how to use the internet for research purposes etc.

Question I
Overcoming the fear factor for teachers how age related is it?
When using the web to collaborate with other students around the country or around the world there are safety issues to be taken into account.
I have understood from reading the article that there are hesitations to teach probably due to lack of knowledge from the educators. The digital age is fairly new and it keeps moving forward every day with new advantages. The fact that many educators are in an age group that did not grow up with the technology moving as fast as it does today, can put a stop to moving forward. I believe that in some instances they feel reluctant to learn about the new information and the possibilites they have with it. In order for this to work I believe educators need to have much more guidance and assistance on how to utilize digitial efforts in the class room.

Questions II
What is the difference between digital citizenhip and digital literacy?
Before reading this article, I only knew about the term digital literacy.
For example, in "all" job ads they ask you are computer literate. So, I have been thinking about the term digital citizenship. I understand it encompasses so many more things than just digital literacy. I am still not completely clear on the difference. Should we come up with a test that students need to take in order to earn their digital citizenship certificate? I think it would be a good idea. And it needs to start in school and as part of the regular curriculum.