Digital Literacy Position Statement

What is your "mantra" (a short statement or slogan) for using technology in education? - "Technology in the classroom is not just about gadgets; it's about empowering minds, fostering creativity, and unlocking limitless learning possibilities."

How might your own developing identity (influenced by values, biases, prior experiences, etc.) affect your interactions and relationships with others within online and in-person learning communities? -

Everyone has their own preferences and is influenced by their own values, biases, and prior experiences, which makes us lean into those different aspects. I have my own preferences, my own way of thinking, and my own way of seeing things in life, and I will lean towards those aspects since those are the ones I am most familiar with. However, just as I have my own preferences, others do as well, and I consider it important to respect them. In my opinion, respect is the foundation for building a healthy relationship. In a professional working environment, it is important to stay neutral and see things from a neutral perspective. Having the ability to not mix our personal beliefs in the working environment is a strategy that will benefit us throughout our career.

There is nothing wrong with having preferences and being biased towards things, but not being able to create that space where we can set those things aside can affect future relationships in both online and in-person learning communities. Others might think we are being disrespectful or rude and might not want to have any kind of relationship or interaction with us because we can’t respect their points of view or because one becomes too self-centered in their own thoughts. Just as we defend our thoughts and perspectives, others will do the same with theirs. The golden rule says, “Treat others the way you want to be treated.” Applying this to our lives will help us create strong and effective relationships for the future.

How can you promote digital literacy, learning, and citizenship in ways that enable youth to make positive, socially responsible contributions to and build relationships within local, global, and digital communities?

We live in a time where we use technology for almost everything in our everyday lives. I grew up using technology. I got my first phone when I was 10, and before that, I owned an iPod and tablets. I use technology everyday and even though technology keeps advancing throughout time I have learned how to navigate through it smoothly and learn new skills. I think that the best way to teach digital literacy, learning, and citizenship is to give students significant assignments that call for their application in meaningful contexts. This will enable them to make positive, socially responsible contributions to and build relationships within local, global, and digital communities because they will put into practice different skills, including their research skills, creative skills, cognitive skills, and communication skills. Since digital literacy is a person's capacity to locate, assess, and convey information, the best way to have students practice is to give them the opportunity to interact with technology by doing some kinds of research and then evaluating what they find and seeing if it is trustworthy. An example of what students can do is have them do some research over a specific topic that they like or assign them a topic where they have to do research, create a presentation, and have them present it to others. Additionally, it is important to set an example for them and teach students the basis of digital literacy and how to access, analyze, evaluate, and create different forms of technology. It is most important to teach them that not everything that is on the internet is true or reliable, which is why it is important for them to know how to analyze the information they find. 

In what ways can you provide (and advocate for) equitable access to educational technology, digital content, and learning opportunities that meet the diverse needs of all students?

I think that as educators, it is imperative for us to understand that all of our students are different, which means that not all of them are going to have the same access to technology. Some of our students might not have Wi-Fi, some might not have a device to work with, and others might not know how to use a device correctly. We should take all of these aspects into consideration when thinking of using technology for our lessons. It is also important to consider this because, that way, all students feel included and no one is left out. Since we use technology for mostly everything nowadays most schools have computers or tablets available for the students, teachers can get them for their class when they plan to use technology. It is important for the teacher to be as specific and direct as possible when giving out the instructions so students can go straight to the point and not struggle with figuring out how to use the device or the assignment. Moreover, teachers can print out the assignments for those students who don’t have access to technology or don’t know how to use it correctly, plus all of the additional resources they could need. The main idea behind all of this is to make sure that all students are receiving the same level of learning and that no one is left behind, regardless of whether they are using technology or working with pen and paper. Having a plan B that meets all of the requirements, gives students the same level of education, and meets their needs is important for these kinds of situations.

How can you continue to improve your technology skills and knowledge? For example, how can you participate in learning communities to enhance your ability to implement educational technology?

I have been using technology my whole life, there is not a day that goes by without me using technology. Technology keeps advancing throughout the years as new updates and devices come out. In my opinion, the best way to improve my technology skills and knowledge is to stay up-to-date with all the new advances that are happening and give them a try. Personally, when I want to use a new app or website and I don’t know how to use it, I usually watch videos and tutorials to learn the necessary skills before using the app. That way, I can make the most of it. The main thing is to keep trying, not giving up, and asking questions if we need help. We are not going to know everything right away, which is why we should be patient. We can stay up-to-date by doing some research on the new technological advancements. Additionally, we can join a community, in my case, probably a community of educators, where we can discuss different technologies teachers are using for their classes, exchange ideas, and get and give new recommendations to others for us to grow in our class.