Young technology users and consumers beware!!

Videos have been made and graphic expositions of car crashes have been displayed around the World to warn teen drivers of potential accidents caused by distracted driving. The following is a Youtube video supporting the cause: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDvjXBVljMQ

Soon, will there be videos warning the youth and  all of us about the potential to cause harm to ourselves when we use new apps? Commonsensemedia.org has published a sample of apps that could wreak havoc when improperly used. Here is the link: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/sneaky-camera-apps-parents-should-know-about

The caution here is against unscrupulous use of these apps to invade privacy, cross boundaries and potentially fall in legal limbo.

Digital Citizenship

I have often reduced reduced the definition of digital citizenship to netiquette. A site dedicated to this subject  (http://www.digitalcitizenship.net/Nine_Elements.html) details nine elements associated with digital citizenship simplified in three dimensions under the REP concept to include even younger learners: Respect, Educate, Protect.

We often think of digital citizenry as in the context of learning only. Surfing the web opens a number of exchanges that touch on law, consideration for self and others, self-education and collaboration, self protection, care for one's health and other people's welfare ( bullying, for instance).

Schools, students and educators should familiarize with digital citizenship for the following reasons:

Authenticity of authorship

We often emphasize only academic integrity for grade purposes. We do not emphasize the pride of originality, the loss of respect (self) when a student copies another person's (classmate, online source). We get uncomfortable letting them know Turn it In matches their work with a source at a higher percentage than acceptable. All of us should appreciate every piece we write as a piece of art that reflects our creativity and authenticity, our signature in the immortal matrix of the Web catalog. Let our entry reflect our own voice as the picture we take reflects our own physical identity at a particular time in our growth. We stand a great chance at standing apart when we do, without dispute from the copy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klQrAxZIkx0

Leverage Technology for growth
In Business or learning environments, sharing knowledge is advantageous for all that participate in the quest. A culture of of exchange lifts all. Everyone feeds of each other. While Ryan Burton exalts leveraging technology in this blog of the same title http://www.mstech.com/nh-it-blog.php?show=204 ,  Kristen Purcell et al. expand more on it but focus more on teens. http://www.pewinternet.org/2012/11/01/how-teens-do-research-in-the-digital-world
 is an interesting read.


 Responsibility for self and others
Being connected to others exposes us to vulnerability. Recent reports of corporate hacking and piracy confirm the web brings a dual reality of benefits and unpleasant experiences, at the very least. Dangers range from terrorist recruitment, blackmailing, voyeurism, bullying. This report is a clear example of misuse of the web to torment others online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXNI55yv5f4 
Learning and teaching responsible use of technology should be part of the culture in any organization.
There is also the question of health for long exposure to screen. Sedentary life leads to obesity. Increasing reports also point to potential damage to the retina ( CBS news August 2015).

As we increase our consumption of technology, digital citizenship becomes a sine qua non subject to delve in for the welfare of our communities, academic, social or commercial. 
 





 

Lesson plan for school administrators on technology integration

ASSURE LESSON PLAN for School Administrators

Analyze: 

At the beginning of the lesson,  I would try to gauge the levels of technology literacy of the administrators with a survey. This survey will range from level of names of technology applications that deal with students’ creativity, teachers’ presentations, to types of software and course designs that offers simulation, attendance taking, etc.

State Objectives.

    After the analysis section, I would announce the objective: “Today, we are going to create a video that demonstrates the role of administrator in technology integration. I will also correlate the objective to Standards 2 and 3 of the National Technology Standards for School Administrators or NTSSA:

1.     Educational leaders ensure that curricular design, instructional strategies, and learning environments integrate appropriate technologies to maximize learning and teaching.

2.     Educational leaders apply technology to enhance their professional practice and to increase their own productivity and that of others

Select Method, Media or Materials: 

        I will pick

a.     PDF files of articles that talk about supporting technology integration in schools,

b.     Computers and lap tops,

c.     ANIMATE application

d.     Todaysmeet.com site

e.     Email

f.      Cooperative learning, online discussion and presentation will be our methods

Utilize Media and materials:

a                .     Administrators will record their attendance by logging into  www.todaysmeet.com . This website will also be utilized to exchange ideas about the meeting, their reading summaries, etc. Basically, they can chat during the meeting but everyone will be able to see what is being said. They will receive this information as they log in.

b              .     Administrators will receive an email with reading attachment. One group will receive the article 7 habits of highly effective tech-leading principals. The other will receive the article “ The administrator role in technology integration”

Require Learner’s participation:

            Each group will post their key information from reading on todaysmeet.com as they progress in their reading and discussion.

Evaluate:

            Administrators will create an animated dialogue about the role of administrator in technology integration, using information gathered from their reading and the application ANIMATE

            The whole group will also share how the meeting went, what changes are needed and how they can use technology to encourage everyone, including teachers who are on the fence about technology integration.

I will also post some self -reflections as to how the class should have been conducted.