Journal 3 - NETS-T 3,4,5

Join ISTE, read a journal article from Learning & Leading with Technology, reflect upon the article, and use proper APA citation using Citation Machine


Lindsay, J, & Davis, V. (2010). Navigate the digital rapids. Learning & Leading with Technology, 37(6), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/LLIssues/Volume3720092 010/MarchAprilNo6/Navigate_the_Digital_Rapids.htm

Navigate the Digital Rapids

The title of this article was cleverly an analogy of how some educators might feel when attempting to figure out how to use technology in the classroom. The basic comparison was that technology is like trying to engage in whitewater rafting. The fear of getting in a situation above one’s ability and failing horribly are usually only present during the introduction stage of the activities. This fear can turn people off to the whole experience and that those who to have a setback usually had it happen because they panicked and/or didn’t listen to the advise of those with more advanced training. As we get more proficient, technology can become exciting and enjoyable, and learning new tasks will come with much greater ease with a solid foundation to build upon.

The article goes on to talk about a multitude of concerns that educators might (and should) have about the applications of digital communications such that the teacher must monitor while keeping students engaged and not letting them wander aimlessly. This becomes trickier if students use this technology in a sort of social-networking aspect, as student can revert to text-speak or even inappropriate use and language a bit more easily considering the context of many social networking sites and appliances. There are also guidelines on how to deal with inappropriate use by students.

What are some of the guidelines for dealing with students who break a rule of digital communication?

The article states that the student or staff member who discovers the offensive item (comment, picture, etc.) is responsible to take a screen shot of that page and notify a teacher or administrator who will delete the item. The classroom teacher will hold that individual accountable and choose an appropriate action (e.g. apology to the network users, banned from the network, etc.)

What is my biggest apprehension about expanding technology in the classroom?

It is likely that at some point some students will try to misuse the equipment and dealing with it is not a problem, but the possible damages done to other students is the biggest problem for me, not to mention not yet knowing the liability to myself and the school if the student is savvy enough to get it past me.