Chapter 3-Transforming Learning with Unique, Powerful Technology
Focus Question: What is the meaning and importance of digital citizenship?
In the era of digital screens and computer technology, many users of today's new devices are suffering from technological incompetence. Because almost everthing revolves around some type of new technology nowadays, and most careers obtained through a degree involve some type of digital device, it is imperative that a significant part of a student's education develop some digital literacies throughout his/her education process.
Change in education is no longer on the horizon. The crossroads between education and technology have meet at a major junction, and the education of our children have been involved in this crash. So, how are schools, educators, and parents suppose to handle such an encounter with success and effectiveness? This is what researchers and those in the educational field have been trying to figure out for the last two decades. Although no one has the exact answer to this predicament, steps are being made to integrate technology into the educational experience. However, those efforts are being met with great challenges. One of the major challenges involves developing "digital citizens" in our societies. The concept implies that digital users become productive and effective members in our "digital society"...whether at school, work, or home.
When we look out at our job market today, many of the significant paying jobs require that its applicants have some type of computer skills. Businesses are no longer using their hands to count dollar bills, or their brains for that matter, but machines and other digital devices are doing those types of jobs for them. Within the classroom, students are no longer passing notes in class, but text messaging has become the modern day note passer for them. (Robert, O'Loughlin, Edwards, Woolf, 2014). With this in mind, it is crucial for schools to "prepare their students for the real world". Today, that real world revolves around digital devices. We must began to develop digital citizenship throughout our schools, starting from the earliest stages of our children's education. In order for today's users of new technology to become digitally competent, they must become "active learners" of these new devices. Active learning is a method of learning which involves a hands-on approach. The more they become familiar with new technologies, the more closer they more towards becoming a digital citizen. The more our educators, students, and our society at large become familiar with handling new devices, the more supportive they will be when it comes to utilizing them to transform the learning environment.
Tech Tool link:
http://www.stopdisastersgame.org/videos/tillylow.html
This video shows a middle school student giving an account of her story about how see was able to save herself and others by warning them of a tsunami that imminent by the warning signs which she was witnessing. She gives credit to her instructor for teaching the class about those warning signs. This Tool Tech 3.1 is a great example of a technological resource which could help kids today learn important tips about helping to contribute to a save environment. Within this link is online problem solving games as well. The web address is: http://www.stopdisastersgame.org/en/home.html
Summary & Connection
Our modern day digital world has collided with the field of education and now teachers, students, parents, and others in our society must be willing to participate in this merging phenomenon. However, in order to be willing participants, together, we must take an active role in becoming digital citizens by aquiring the skills necessary to handle these devices. It's not until we build a community of technologically sound digital users, that we'll be able to take part in utilizing these digital tools to transform the arena of education and all who make up the sphere of education.
Resources
Edwards, S. Maloy, R., O'Loughlin, R., & Woolf, B. (2014). Transforming Learning with New
Technologies: Second Edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson
Like the link to "Stop Disasters" simulation game and information - that would be a good one to add to my growing list of simulation/gaming resources. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThe use of mobile devices is definitely forcing us to better examine how we can employ them in active learning and constructivist type activities. And students generally are well aware of using them for personal reasons. They often are not aware of ways to use them for learning, nor for using them ethically. Teachers have their work 'cut out for them'! :)