Navigate the Digital Rapids

“Digital citizenship awareness can begin as soon as tiny fingers tap the keys.”

            Digital citizenship more than just a teaching tool; it is a way to prepare students/technology users for a society full of technology. I think it’s also well defined in the article, “Navigate the Digital Rapids” by Julie Lindsay and Vicki Davis, where it is said that digital citizenship is about “about transforming yourself into a professional who can effectively research technology trends, monitor the uses of technology in your school or district, avoid the fear factor that can easily paralyze you, and empower student-centered learning to create vibrant, exciting learning projects.”

            Through this article it is stated that some teachers feel if they customize their classroom with mobile technology, they cannot customize and meet the standards at the same time. So how does this affect their students? If teachers don’t know how to customize their classroom to fit the learning environment, then students may not get that unique experience while learning in the classroom.

            Teachers should be able to and know how to incorporate digital tools into their lessons, but some teachers are too scared to do so because some students may wander aimlessly and not keep on tract. This however, is where the teacher is supposed to step in and guide his/her students in the right direction of digital citizenship. Not only that but through using technology in the classroom, students learn proper online etiquette, that they can apply to their learning experience as they continue their education.

            Incorporating technology in the classroom is nothing new, however, some teachers don’t feel it is too common, which is why they don’t. As the article states, it’s kind of like learning how to drive. Not everyone knows how to, but once you learn and adapt to it, you make it a routine and can teach others how to do it. Works the same with digital citizenship in the classroom. Teachers must first test the waters, learn from other teachers, and later teach their students.

            The world is evolving with new technology everyday, if children are our future, then they should be taught digital citizenship in the classroom as early as possible.

Lindsay, J., & Davis, V. (2010). Navigate the digital rapids.Learning & Leading with Technology., 12-15. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Libraries/Leading_and_Learning_Docs/March_April_2010_Navigate_the_Digital_Rapids.sflb.ashx