Standard+IV

Teachers understand local and global societal issues and responsibilities in an evolving digital culture and exhibit legal and ethical behavior in their personal practices. Teachers:
 * 4. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility **
 * a. ** advocate, model, and teach safe, legal, and ethical use of digital information and technology, including respect for copyright, intellectual property, and the appropriate documentation of sources
 * b. ** address the diverse needs of all learners by using learner-centered strategies and providing equitable access to appropriate digital tools and resources
 * c. ** promote and model digital etiquette and responsible social interactions related to the use of technology and information
 * d. ** develop and model cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with colleagues and students of other cultures using digital-age communication and collaboration tools

Modeling responsible computer use is something that I feel I could definitely pay more attention to. For my classes, we are required to administer a research paper for students every year. At one point in our school (4 years ago), student research papers were a vital component to student advancement through each grade. I remember many occasions where plagiarism and copyright infringement were very sensitive topics. When students complete any type of research and use information they have gained from a source, I stress the importance of giving credit to the original author. I feel it is the students responsibility to use parentheticals or footnotes to list where the information they used was found. Prior to every assignment I review how a bibliography and citations should be completed. Many students now use citationmachine.net because this website completes the bibliography for them. Another way I model digital citizenship is explaining the issue of copyright and ethics regarding copyright. Many times students will take a YouTube video or images found on the computer and insert them in a PowerPoint presentation. I advise them that is appropriate as long as they list where the video or picture was found. The technology class really gave me a new appreciation and understanding of the ethical guidelines one must follow when dealing with copyright. Now with the issue of facebook, myspace, and many other online blogs and chats, students must be very careful what information that they offer to others.
 * 1. List the ways in which you model digital citizenship and responsibility. Include specifics that demonstrate how you teach and promote safe, legal and ethical use of digital information and technology. **


 * 1a. List at least 2 ways in which you can improve your role as a digital citizen. **
 * One way I can improve is gaining a greater understanding of many digital tools, and once I become familiar with what each is capable of I could then look at the dangers each possess. There are many cell phone tools that can be used for classroom purposes, however when giving a cell phone number students must be very cautious as to who is receiving the number and if there are secret/hidden charges. The class discussion and online forums dealing with cell phone/Internet safety sites really helped me understand what the user should consider prior to signing up for any site.
 * Another way I can improve on being a model digital citizen is allowing the students to collaborate more with digital tools. Reading NETS Standard 4 letter d, it states that we should be preparing students for global awareness by learning about different cultures using communication tools. I must say I don't do this because it seems like a great deal of work on my part, but I do realize the impact of globalization and how unprepared the youth are today with understanding all the benefits of a digital age society. I would like to foster students imagination and creativity about worldly issues using technology. There are great tools to allow students to collaborate with other culture (Skype).

After taking this course I have experienced a great deal of technology resources that can empower me as an educator. I was very tentative coming into this class and I felt I would never use the many tools we have discussed. However the tools presented in the class are very user-friendly and can assist me becoming a better teacher and I have also developed a much greater understanding of safe sites and proper usage. Copyright Bay was a great website that detailed the importance and facts dealing with copyright laws. The disney cartoon was another video that is student friendly and is a great reminder of how one should approach the issue of infringement. I was also a skeptic of the potential of cell phone usage in the classroom, but after the many examples shared, I understand how they can be used as a benefit to learning if used properly. Finally, I think the book Web Literacy For Educators is a great resource as I can always make references to many computer terms and functions. The group presentations of the book really made me understand how the computer functions work and how one can track information such as forward and back links. Overall my technology vocabulary has tremendously increased, hence my knowledge of great understanding of digital tools (both the positive and negative.)
 * 2. List resources that could help you grow in this area. **

Starting next school year I plan to use many more digital tools, especially cell phones in the classroom. I also need to allow more computer access for students because as they enter college or the workforce they will be surrounded by all types of people and technology. I want to prepare my students for a global world by using more interactive sites that extend above and beyond the walls of our school district. I want to show students there is an educational value to cell phones, Myspace, Glogster, and Twitter. I want students to embrace technology, but at the same understand the potential dangers certain tools can lead to. Prior to using research next year, I plan on taking a different approach that no other teacher really does. I am going to have the class research the issue of copyright laws as well as potential dangers associated with online forums, cell phones, and personal websites. I sometimes think teachers expect students to know what is safe and unsafe, however I plan on discussing and presenting this information the first week of school next year. After reviewing the websites of computer safety, I think every student needs to be aware of what is "out" there that could be harmful. I will repeat this discussion/assignment in January as a new semester starts. I could possible do some sort of in-service of faculty meeting presentation regarding Internet safety and copyright. Hopefully other teachers will discuss this with students and it eventually trickles throughout the entire district. I'm very excited to try new digital tools; obviously some I am not very experienced with, but I feel I have mastered a few during this course and can really use them for my benefit as well as student achievement.
 * Summarize your list in 1a in the form of an action that you will take. This statement will be transferred to your action plan page. **