As Julie Lindsay and Vicki Davis explain "How can we teach digital citizenship when the digital landscape is changing so rapidly?" (Lindsay & Davis, 2012) How can teachers effectively incoporate and use digital tools in their classrooms but keep it contained to a safe and friendly environment? Lindsay and Davis go on to explain this stating that "Digital citizenship...It's about transforming yourself into a professional who can effectively research technology trends, monitor the use of technology in your school district, avoid the dear factor that can easily paralyse you, and empower student-centred learning to create vibrant, exciting learning projects." (Lindsay & Davis, 2012) This article 'Navigate the Digital Rapids' by Lindsay and Davis is all about digital citizenship, technology and the use of it in classrooms, how to utilise it, keep it safe and friendly, intertwine it with curriculum, your pedagogy and a provide resources for teachers who wish to start navigating the digital rapids.
Lindsay and Davis provide much information on how to navigate these rapids that are popping up all over the digital realm inconjunction with new technologies. The authors talk about customising a classroom along side keeping with current curriculum standards and outlines. They suggest that the classroom be a place where each students experience with technology is different and unique similarly as it is in the classroom where face-to-face learning is occurring each students learning style and ability is also different and unique. Lindsay and Davis (2012) describe this as "Digiteachers do not let standardise outcomes limit them: they meet the outcomes with artistry" I believe this is a powerful quote and correct. Teachers need to be utilising the digital realm in the classroom however their approach should be artistic and open. Lindsay and Davis also cover about setting boundaries and when a student does cross the line whether intentionally or not how to deal with it effectively.
One key idea that I believe is throughly important is educating students as soon as they come into contact with technology about holding digital citizenship, navigating the waters and the correct way to interact online with other digi-citizens. Furthermore I found also that Lindsay and Davis's point about giving students appropriate access to administration tools as well as limiting content to what is age appropriate a very important concept and idea for all teachers using the digital world in their classroom.
Lindsay and Davis provide a wealth of information and suggestions about getting started but also then navigating the digital realm and the use of technologies in the classroom. They effectively provide resources that can help teachers to do to this whilst also reassuring teachers that they aren't alone in this. Lindsay and Davis clearly understand the important and need to use technology in the classroom but also realise that there needs to be boundaries in place and also the need to work this engaging tool in creatively so students are excited to learn on a digital plato and being connected globally. After reading this article I believe I can effectively tackle this task and start using technology in my classroom to teach my students. I can use the digital realm to get students connected with other parts of the world thus learning about other cultures, customs and ideologies. Students also gain research skills, communication skills, deep knowledge and understanding of topics and also digital citizenship. The more students learn to navigate the digital realm the better equipped they will be to continue using technology outside the classroom in a safe and friendly manner.
This link provides more information on digital citizenship as well as quizes for students to take on digital etiquette, saftey, blogs ect. I would encourage everyone to check it out and use it in their classrooms to aid their knowledge and teaching of the digital world. Digital Citizenship
Lindsay, J. & Davis, V. (2012). Navigate the digital rapids. Learning and Leading with Technology. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-leading/issues/march-april-2010/navigate-the-digital-rapids
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