Week 6 Reflection

Digital Citizenship

I found this week's focus not only interesting but somewhat inspiring. I have a Facebook account but never ever post anything in fact, I don't remember my password or if I even need one. I set up a Twitter account when I was involved with the Southern Maine Writing Project because of, well, peer pressure.  I laughed hysterically when watching the Saturday Night Live skit with Justin Timberlake and Jimmy Fallon singing a hash tag rap song. But.....I don't even know how to use a hash tag. This week's content caused me to do a little research about social media and to think about how I might use something I know very little about in my classroom.

We first reviewed a video in which Don Tapscott discussed how the internet opened the world of knowledge, information, and the intelligences of others, to everyone.  When I was in high school, if I was curious about anything I had to go to the library and look in a book or (and I seldomly really wanted to do this) I had to ask a family member.  I don't think there was a whole lot of independent learning or exploring happening, at least for me, in the '70's. Networking with other students, independent of our teachers and parents,  in other towns, states, let alone other countries, was unheard of.  For our students, opportunities for collaborating with others is endless and by doing so they are empowered; they have the ability to enrich their knowledge through their connections online. How they handle online connections is what we considered next.

As I noted in an earlier posting this week, I have personally avoided using social media and have not given its place in my classroom a consideration until this week. The three videos we viewed helped soften my approach to social media because it was being used in the spirit of kindness/goodness. I think it is important for teachers to offer an awareness to students of the positive ways in which social media might be used. I realize that many students use social media to connect with friends however, I have overheard students talk about what they post, in written format and in photos and cringe.  They do not seem to grasp the ramifications until there is an issue. If students are encouraged to use social media for projects similar to those discussed in the videos, they will see the far-reaching impact of "goodness" and might infer likewise of the far-reaching impact of negative postings.  I think it is a good idea to frequently remind students that social media postings really are an extension of their resume.

One of the videos suggested that parents encourage their children to create a Google hangout with grandparents, or use  Facebook, Instagram, Vine and/or iMovie to create interactions with family members. I think these are great ideas but I wonder how knowledgeable parents are about such Apps. Considering the students on my caseload, I think their parents would welcome the opportunity to help their students create something family-rated. Perhaps I will explore.

I enjoyed creating a Digital Citizenship lesson with my class in mind. Admittedly, I relied heavily on www.commonsensemedia.org;  my lesson plan was adapted directly from the Trillion Dollar Footprint Lesson Plan Unit 3.  I love this website and will definitely be referring to it again. I realize that the lesson plan I created really is basic but the students with whom I work are in need of fundamental instruction on Digital Citizenship. A couple of my students have been involved in quite serious conversations with the principal, their parents, and our resource officer. Yet, they still do not quite grasp how social media works and the impact it can have on their lives and those of others. I attribute a lot of this to symptoms of Autism. Thinking of the perspective of others is an extremely difficult concept for them to grasp and believe.  If a student lacks a filter system in face-to-face conversations, it is not surprising that this same filter is non-existent when using social media. I decided to create a lesson plan that would help them understand what having a "digital footprint" means. Using video, vocabulary, and print (all from www.commonsensemedia.org) will help them learn the content through a variety of venues. One of the activities within the Trillion Dollar Footprint Lesson plan requires students to review online information about two individual who are being considered for a position as the host of a teen variety show. Students are required to make assumptions about the character of each individual based on "online" information presented to them in a student handout packet.  I think this is a fantastic way for my students to process the concept of digital footprint and will be reinforced through this activity.  I look forward to using the lesson.

At the risk of sounding juvenile, I was quite pleased with my new ability to embed links to a video, website, and other Google docs, in my lesson plan! I hope they actually work. Seriously, the thought of "figuring out" any digital technology stressed me out at the beginning of this class.  Working with a colleague on  project, creating an Explain Everything video, using Screencast, and the act of uploading assignments truly helped me develop my skills! I know this aha comment might cause some tech-savvy folks to roll their eyes and say "give me a break" but I am pleased with the advancement in my tech skills! I am confident that I will use several of the skills I have learned through this class and will continue to spread my wings a bit more with the use of social media. Thanks for a great experience!