How do we ensure our students are safe online?
Do they understand privacy settings?
Have they considered using a fake name and address?
Can they be professional and appropriate while online?
Can they critically look at sources of information and understand what is good and what may be false?
Do they understand online bullying and its consequences?
There are really so many questions and considerations within Digital Citizenship. I am glad that my Board has created a resource that builds each year. Our students will be engaged in activities from Grades 1 right to 12. As much as they know SO much, we do discover that they really know SO little.
Some aha! moments...
1. Quest Garden
What a great site! Not only can we learn to create our own Web Quests for students, but there is a bank created, just waiting to be used. I was really excited to find some that would support student learning in my classroom. There is really no need to re-invent the wheel, a message I often share with my student teachers. This is a great example of that. I will definitely use this tool.
2. My Three Year Technology Plan
I was really dreading this assignment. I complained to a colleague that as teachers we often do not strategically plan, and that this was really a job for the principal. Once I hunkered down and got to it I realized that the thinking that took place in order to plan out the next three years was really useful. I can see where we are at now with respect to technology and decide what I want my role to be in helping others move forward.
3. Blogs
Taking the time to navigate some blogs created by my colleagues allowed for some great learning. I realized that simple is great, and that even if they are not used all the time, that's ok. In particular, I liked the idea of creating a Kid Blog. Others really seem to like this platform, so perhaps I can encourage my colleagues to give this one a try.
Being engaged in this round of discussions made me think of this purpose in the standards of practice for the teaching profession:
- to inspire a shared vision for the teaching profession
There were many moments when I responded with; we do the same in our school, I wrote the exact same thing, or I can't agree more. Reading each other's ideas, plans and thoughts helps us to create a shared vision. As teachers in Ontario we should have this. I think it would be odd to all be on a different page. We do need a shared vision when it comes to using technology to support student learning. I think it's ok that we are all in our own places on the learning continuum, but that we are all working towards common goals is awesome. Some of the common goals that I made note of were:
- creating a school technology team
- getting the principal on board with staff goals
- how to inspire staff who are technologically reluctant
- increase amount of devices to an ideal of atleast 1:3
- understanding that professional development often has to be self directed
- use of Google and all its applications (big for everyone)
- and many more!
Finally, a few questions I have moving forward...
1. No matter how motivated I am, as a leader, I can only do so much as one person. So do I continue to move forward as an individual or use my energy to move my school forward. Even if I am not a technology lead, even if I don't have any release time for my efforts. I'm just not sure.
2. What does a classroom with 1:1 devices look like? Would I want this?
3. Equity. Does it exist within Boards? Does it matter?
