Lesson 2: Digital Learning for Safe, Healthy, Legal, and Ethical Uses

Standard 5:

5.3.  Programs for Safe, Healthy, Legal, and Ethical Use- Develop and implement programs to educate all stakeholders about the safe, legal, and ethical use of information and technology resources, including district policies and procedures regarding filtering, netiquette, cyberbullying, acceptable use, and fair-use guidelines for online resources (In other words, design and develop an online PD unit to teach colleagues, parents, or the community about these listed topics.)

5.4. Diversity, Cultural Understanding, and Global Awareness- Model and promote diversity, cultural understanding, and global awareness by providing and supporting digital-age communication and collaboration tools for students and faculty to engage in cross-cultural, collaborative projects addressing global issues (In other words, ensure your units model and promote these listed topics)

Objectives:

• Objective 1: Gain comprehensive knowledge about the potential risks and threats in the digital learning environment.

• Objective 2: Establish and enforce policies and guidelines to ensure the digital well-being of students and staff.

• Objective 3: Facilitate and promote the ethical and legal use of digital resources and technologies among students.

What do we know about Digital Learning for Safe, Healthy, Legal, and Ethical Uses?

Potential Risks and Challenges:

Cyberbullying: Cyberbullying is the use of digital communication tools to harass, threaten, or demean others. It can occur through text messages, social media, or online forums and can have serious emotional and psychological consequences.

Online Privacy: Maintaining online privacy is crucial, as personal information can be misused for identity theft, fraud, or even stalking. Privacy breaches and data leaks are not uncommon.

Digital Addiction: Spending excessive time online, whether on social media, gaming, or other digital platforms, can lead to digital addiction. This can negatively impact mental health, relationships, and overall well-being.

In the digital age, where our lives are increasingly intertwined with technology, it has become imperative to establish clear guidelines for safe, healthy, legal, and ethical use of the digital realm. These guidelines serve as a compass to navigate the complex landscape of the online world, ensuring that our students can harness the power of technology while safeguarding their well-being and respecting others.

Cyberbullying Prevention:

One cornerstone of these guidelines revolves around the prevention of cyberbullying. It starts with fostering open communication among students, encouraging them to confide in a trusted adult if they find themselves entangled in the web of online harassment or if they bear witness to someone else enduring its cruelty. Beyond this, educators are equipped with the knowledge of how to teach students to protect themselves and others by learning how to promptly block and report abusive users on various online platforms.

A potent tool in combating cyberbullying is the cultivation of empathy and digital citizenship. Our students are encouraged to develop an understanding of the emotions and experiences of others, discouraging hurtful online behavior through their own actions.

Online Privacy Protection:

As educators venture into the digital domain, they are made aware of the paramount importance of safeguarding their online privacy. The guidelines include practices like using robust and unique passwords for each online account and the option of employing a password manager for added security.

Additionally, educators are taught to navigate the labyrinth of privacy settings on their social media profiles and other online accounts, enabling them to control the extent to which their personal information is shared. Emphasizing the gravity of not divulging sensitive data like full names, addresses, phone numbers, or financial details to strangers online is crucial in ensuring their safety.

Maintaining a Healthy Digital Lifestyle:

A critical facet of these guidelines is the promotion of a balanced digital lifestyle. This involves setting daily screen time limits for various digital activities and encouraging students to take regular breaks to prevent digital fatigue and screen addiction.

The guidelines also advocate for balance in life, urging students to engage in offline activities such as physical exercise, hobbies, and face-to-face social interactions. They learn to be mindful of their tech usage, recognizing when digital devices may be used as a refuge from stress or boredom, and develop strategies to maintain a healthy balance.

Adhering to Legal and Ethical Standards:

Finally, these guidelines instill a sense of responsibility and ethical conduct in educators and students as they traverse the digital landscape. They are educated on the principles of copyright and plagiarism, with a strong emphasis on giving credit to sources when using others' work.

Furthermore, educators and students learn about netiquette, the code of online etiquette, which includes being respectful in digital interactions, using appropriate language, and avoiding offensive content. They also gain insights into the world of cybersecurity, understanding the risks of hacking, phishing, and malware, and are advised to keep their software and antivirus programs up to date as a safeguard against digital threats.

Discussion

Read the following article:

• Mattison, L. (2018) Ethical issues with using technology in the classroom.

 Watch the following video:

• Digital Citizenship: Safe and Responsible Technology Use

Once you complete the reading and viewing, head over to Padlet and write a 2-3 sentence summary of the article and video.

1. What surprised you the most?

2. How does this apply to your classroom?

Assignment:

Technology Integration: Smore.com is an online web 2.0 tool that allows you to create interactive digital flyers and newsletters. The platform makes it easy to design visually appealing and engaging content. You can add text, images, videos, hyperlinks, and other multimedia elements to their flyers, enabling them to present information in a creative and interactive manner.

Tools: Smore.com is an online web 2.0 tool that allows you to create interactive digital flyers and newsletters. The platform makes it easy to design visually appealing and engaging content. You can add text, images, videos, hyperlinks, and other multimedia elements to their flyers, enabling them to present information in a creative and interactive manner.

1. Open Smore.com and create a new flyer with the title "Digital Learning for Safe, Healthy, Legal, and Ethical Uses."

2. Explore specific sub-topics related to Digital Learning for Safe, Healthy, Legal, and Ethical Uses, such as Online Safety and Cybersecurity, Healthy Digital Habits, Ethical Decision-Making in the Digital World, Digital Rights and Responsibilities.

3. Research and gather information about the sub-topics to include in their Smore flyer.

4. Use a combination of text, images, videos, and hyperlinks to support their information on the flyer.

5. Post the flyer on the Padlet discussion page

6. Peer Interaction: Engage in the discussion forums on Padlet, providing constructive feedback and reflections on peer flyers.

Reflection

Padlet Activity

• Reflect on your learning and planning. Write a thoughtful response to the following question:

  • What are the key takeaways from your research on digital learning and digital citizenship and its benefits for diverse learners?

• Upload your reflection on the following Padlet link: https://padlet.com/jdo255_/etc645-reflections-qunx0wqgd4yk1yrf