Journal 1: "Passport to Digital Citizenship"

Ribble, M (2008, December). Passport to digital citizenship. Learning & Leading with Technology, Retrieved January 29th, 2009, from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/Current_Issue/L_L_November

In the 21st century, you cannot go a day without somehow needing technological assistance in some way. Technology is the new black, as those in the fashion world would say. With the dependence that we now have on technology, it only makes sense that students learn how to use this technology in the classroom. The article Passport to Digital Citizenship (Ribble, 2008-2009), describes the journey into technology that both educators and students must take in order to become more culturally and socially able in an ever changing technological world. Ribble defines digital citizenship as: “Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior” (14).

He goes on to describe the four stages of digital reflection citizenship that teachers must use to educate students properly in technology. The first stage is awareness. In this stage, students must become familiar with what is, and is not appropriate when using different forms of technology. The second stage Ribble describes is guided practice. This is different than the first stage in that students will now engage in using the technology, under the guidance of an instructor, rather than just learning about it. The third stage is modeling and demonstration. Here, teachers “will model appropriate technology use at school, home, and in society” (16). The last and final stage is feedback and analysis where students and teachers will participate in discussions about technology use and how top use is appropriately. (16).

Although Ribble says this is the final step, it really isn’t. He says that the last thing that must be done is to connect what is being learned at school with the home and community.

Question 1: At the end of his article, Mike Ribble says that we must fix the disconnect between school and the home or community. How can this be done?

Answer 1: I believe that as an educator, it is our job to make sure that the parents of our students are well aware of what goes on in the classroom. Learning does not end in the classroom, no matter if it is for math, English, or technology education. I think teachers should send weekly emails (to reinforce the use of technology) to all the parents as a group letting them know what their students did in the classroom that week and what they could do with them over the weekend to reinforce the lesson they learned.

Question 2: What do you think is the most important step in digital citizenship reflection?

I do not think that there is one step that is more important than the other. I am actually very impressed with the steps and the order in which they are presented. It takes into account the way a child thinks and develops. First they must be made aware of what is there. Then they should be shown how to use it properly before attempting to use it themselves. Lastly, there should ALWAYS be a discussion to wrap up what was done and also give students a chance to ask any questions they may have.