NETS Standard 4: Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility
ISTE Definiton: Teachers understand local and global societal issues and responsibilities in an evolving digital culture and exhibit legal and ethical behavior in their professional practices. Teachers:
advocate, model, and teach safe, legal, and ethical use of digital information and technology, including respect for copyright, intellectual property, and the appropriate documentation of sources.
address the diverse needs of all learners by using learner-centered strategies providing equitable access to appropriate digital tools and resources.
promote and model digital etiquette and responsible social interactions related to the use of technology and information.
develop and model cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with colleagues and students of other cultures using digital-age communication and collaboration tools.
How I apply this standard in my teaching.
As I work with students, I advocate, model, and teach safe, legal, and ethical use of digital technology. It is extremely important for students who are interested in becoming teachers realize the caution they must practice when implementing technology in the classroom.
We practice care when using resources in presentations and always make sure that credit is given to authors and designers. Another thing that we have to consider on a regular basis is the use of student pictures on the Internet. Our students are out in classrooms and working with students and teachers. As they collect artifacts as evidence of learning, many times, they include pictures of students. We continually follow the practice of checking with teachers, administrators, and program directors when we have pictures or video we want to use for brochures, portfolios, etc. Recently, our students worked with our Access House students and planned a field day of fun events. We took many pictures but submitted them to the program director for approval before we posted anything on twitter, etc. She gave us the information on which students had forms on file to not be pictured and which were okay to post.
Another thing we do to ensure etiquette and to work with students to learn proper communication skills is to use letter writing templates for communication and to use the carbon copy option on email so that I, as instructor, am included in communication circles. Students can customize letters, and many times, we will write the letter together, taking suggestions from class members on how information should be adequately and effectively worded.
We also include lessons on copyright and Internet safety, and we constantly discuss personal vs. professional use of technology and social media when in the role of a professional employee and role model. We do this, as we collaborate on a regular basis using digital tools, as examples in previous standards have shown, with colleagues. And to carry these lessons further, we use group accounts for things like youtube and log ons for services so that students are not using personal accounts for professional projects.
Examples of my work for this standard.
1. Collaborative Letter (.pdf)
2. CAPS Teacher Ed Group YouTube Account (.pdf)
3. Portfolio with Photos and Video (website)
My favorite web resources for this standard.
2. NetSmartz
3. CAPS Teacher Education Twitter
5. International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)
5. National Crime Prevention Council