We Need Your Help
Thank you for providing your child increased access to technology at home! The parade of mobile devices--Nintendo DSi ("i" is for Internet), iPodTouch, iPad, mobile phones--and how you've used it with them (e.g. taking photos and sharing them online, sending text messages throughout the day and night) have conditioned your child to be always on and "in sync" with their technologies! A side effect that we can't ignore in schools is that your child is asking tougher questions, collaborating with other students (we once labelled that "cheating"), and that means we have to change how we "do school." To help you get a better understanding of what's happening as a result of increased student access to technology, you need to get a mental picture on how others are approaching this issue in their school and community so you can explain to fellow members of your parent advisory group...and, get a better handle on what your teens are doing in middle and high school!
You'll be guided to look closely at three main issues and to find examples (facts, statistics, quotations, or any other inputs) that you think provide important insights on the issues. After you've collected three examples for each issue, your job will be to put the information together into one statement that shares your understanding as a "Truth" about that particular key issue related to digital citizenship. Finally, you will combine what you've learned into an action plan.
Exploring Examples to Discover the Truth - Individual Activity
Issue #1 - What is the connection between Digital Citizenship and Social Media?
Visit each web site, then copy-n-paste or write a 1 sentence take-away--an "infobit" on your Concept Builder Notes page.
Issue #2 - What are some tips for being a good digital citizen?
Visit each web site, then copy-n-paste or write a 1 sentence take-away--an "infobit" on your Concept Builder Notes page.
Video and Article - Be a Good Digital Citizen (includes tips for parents and students)
Blog - Read section entitled "We Need to Discuss and Practice Digital Citizenship" at a "Case Study on Digital Citizenship"
Article/Video/Stats - MTV's A Thin Line - Digital Disrespect (there are other sections on sexting as well)
Issue #3 - How are school districts encouraging digital citizenship in the classroom?
Visit each web site, then copy-n-paste or write a 1 sentence take-away--an "infobit" on your Concept Builder Notes page.
Focusing your Argument: An Action Plan - Small Group Activity
By looking at the Digital Citizenship situation from the perspective of a parent, you have become an expert on the issues. Your team (and the World Wide Web community) need your expert advice. In your opinion, what would be the most effective plan of action to address responsible use of social media in schools? In other words, what do we need to do to "make it happen?" Use the truths you have learned to make sure we tap into goldmines that could help everyone and avoid landmines that could threaten us all.
Your Action Plan should be a clear statement about what needs to be done next and why. It does not have to be long, but it should be thoughtful.
After you've developed a draft statement from your perspective, work with your team to prepare a clearly worded Action Plan statement to share with the whole group.