Learning Goals and Implementation Plan

What problems are you trying to address?

The problems being addressed by implementing the Digital Citizenship online course is that our school system is mandated to meet the ISTE Standards for Students and the New Jersey Department of Education recommendations and standards. This requires students to develop awareness and skills, within digital citizenship, in order to create a positive and safe lifelong learning experience. Students must be trained in procedures designed for utilizing digital tools in support of resourceful opportunities to problem solve and communicate knowledge. Our district is requiring our students to begin developing digital portfolios communicating learning safely and respectfully in all subject areas. We do not currently have the curriculum or trained staff to implement this new curriculum and digital portfolio resource.

What are the symptoms of the problems?

The symptoms of the problem in our local middle school are insufficient staff knowledgeable of technology standards, along with a lack of curriculum addressing the mandated topic of digital citizenship, digital tools, and digital resources and procedures. Teachers are overwhelmed with their specific curriculum needs, and are not comfortable with instructing procedures for technology education as well as digital portfolio procedures. Students have had numerous online safety issues that have negatively affected student and district online safety.

What is the root cause of the problem?

The root cause of the problem is inadequate staffing and the training required for district focus of new technologies and instruction. New curriculum has not been advanced in order to address district requirements. There is a need for online instruction due to the lack of computer lab instruction time. The district has not updated our curriculum to meet the National Educational Technology Standards for Students.

Is instruction an appropriate solution for the problem?

Yes, instruction will help focus on the root of the problem by providing the mandated curriculum for digital citizenship. Instruction will also present students will an array of digital tools to communicate learning, as well as develop a digital portfolio.

Is WBI an appropriate instructional solution?

WBI is an appropriate instructional solution because it provides an avenue of education that can be delivered both in the school computer lab and online, anywhere there is Internet access. As a pilot program, this online cycle class will be delivered in the computer lab. If successful, we can free up the computer lab by permitting students to complete this course from home, through Bring Your Own Device, at the library and media lab, at the town library, or anywhere there is Internet access. Students will develop the digital citizenship skills for lifelong learning without adding extra demands for funding of additional technological equipment. Due to the class being fully functional to an instructor, staff members already employed can be trained to implement this course, therefore, eliminating the need to hire additional educational technology staff.

Instructional Goal Statement

After completion of a six-week module online course, students will have the ability to demonstrate skills of digital citizenship and online safety. In addition, students will be capable of utilizing digital tools safely and successfully in order to analyze, problem solve, and communicate learning.