Journal #8: Navigate the Digital Rapids: NETS-5

Lindsay, J. & Davis, V. (2010). Navigate the digital rapids. Learning and Leading with Technology, 37(6), Retrieved April 5, 2010 from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/
LLIssues/Volume3720092010/MarchAprilNo6/Navigate_the_Digital_Rapids.htm

Summary/Reflection:

This article discusses what teachers need to know about becoming effective teachers in the digital age. The article offers advice on things to consider and things to avoid when becoming a teacher in the digital age. Things to consider include; customize, monitor and be engaged, have a plan, overcome the fear factor, dealing with objections, straying off topic, and putting the learning in the hands of the students. Students love to customize their tools and teachers should be sensitive to this. Teachers often stray away from customization because they feel they cannot meet the standards at the same time. The article states that customization and national standards can coexist in the same classroom. The article discusses the importance of teachers monitoring their students’ use in an educational network. Teachers need to engage their students and act professionally in the educational network. Teachers are responsible for taking appropriate action when students release offensive material, or pictures in the educational network. The article also states that teachers need to be prepared to overcome the fear factor of the educational network. Teachers will fair better if they understand that they are not alone and are willing to explore new educational opportunities in the educational network. Teachers should be prepared to stray off topic occasionally because sometimes a new learning opportunity can present itself when teachers and students stray away from their original topic. Teachers should be willing to allow students to personalize their digital tools and develop appropriate online behaviors. The article concludes with information about the authors’ Flat Classroom Project and other projects that have evolved from the Flat Classroom Project.

Question 1: How can schools and districts prepare teachers for becoming effective in the digital age?

I think that schools and districts can prepare teachers for becoming effective in the digital age by offering trainings periodically throughout the school year and summers. I think trainings would help teachers to overcome the “fear factor” associated with educational technology. I believe that if teachers are well-prepared for using technology that the students will benefit from the teachers being comfortable with technology use in the classroom. I think it is especially important to train teachers to use technology because many students know more about technology, today, than their teachers do. If teachers have solid knowledge base that they can continue to expand through life-long learning trainings than the teachers will feel more comfortable incorporating technology in their classrooms. 

Question 2: Whom should teachers go to for help in designing a discipline plan for technology use in their classroom?

I think that collectively, at a particular school, teachers should develop a discipline plan school-wide. I think students would be conscious of their actions because the discipline policy would be school-wide. Students would understand the policy and how their inappropriate behaviors in the educational network would lead to disciplinary action. I think that the school’s principal should also be on board with the discipline plan so that s/he can assist in enforcing the plan. I believe a school-wide discipline plan would be most effective in leading students to positive use of technology in the classroom.