Journal 1: "Passport to Digital Citizenship" (NETS 1, 3, and 5)

Ribble, Mike (2008). Passport to Digital Citizenship. Learning and Leading in Technology, 37, Retrieved January 28, 2009, from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/Current_Issue/L_L_November.htm


This week's reading focused on a model of learning developed to assist teachers in bringing technology into the classroom. The article outlined different components that make up a strong foundation to the concept of technology in our classroom. These elements are designed to guide us all in becoming decent digital citizens...a new concept for some.

Yesterday, just for fun, I called my Grandma and asked her if she could define the phrase "digital citizenship." I had to repeat the word "digital" several times, spell it for her twice, and then was required to describe the concept of digital to her. She was stumped and I was disappointed in my poor explanation of the word "digital." The technological differences between my grandparents and myself had always been obvious. They just recently replaced their rabbit ear TV (which I'm surprised was even in color) and they are still flustered by the concept of my digital camera (again, I'm just using the words "digital" camera, but what does it really mean?). My parents both have cell phones and they use their computer every day. Yesterday, however, my mom was stunned and impressed when I used the arrow keys on the keyboard instead of the mouse to scroll down a page she had pulled up on the internet. I laughed and thought to myself "what a simple thing to not know for so long."

My grandma couldn't understand what I was asking her and I was having trouble explaining what I was really asking. I realized that this is something new to me as well. If had to step into the classroom tomorrow, my students would be spelling and repeating technological words to me and I would be staring back at them like a deer in the headlights.

For me, this article shed some light on how technology has become extremely integrated into our society. I go about my day thinking little about the conveniences of my cell phone and the internet and I have never given thought to if I was a good "digital citizen." The implications of technology have far surpassed just the convenience aspect. We have designed meanings in phrases such as "digital commerce," "digital law," and "digital health and wellness." The models and bullet points in the article were helpful in guiding me towards a broader understanding of the technological community. There appears to be several layers to the use of technology in our schools and I will need to be a strong role model for my students.


Question 1: What ways can teachers model good digital citizenship for students?



Answer: Teachers can be good role models by incorporating different types of technology into their lesson plans and classrooms. They can also assist students in learning digital etiquette, digital laws, and about the overall digital community by addressing each of these concepts along side projects that would use related technology. Opening up discussing beyond just the immediate task at hand would go along way. Teachers should also be mindful of their personal digital citizenship both in and out of the classroom.


Question 2: How can teachers involve parents and families in this learning?


Answer: Teachers could involve parents by posting an online blog with updates on class activity, group points of learning from specific projects, and overall goals specific to use of technology in the classroom. This may be a new concept to many parents so it will be important to help parents understand the significance of things like "computer time" during school hours. It will also be important to be sensitive and understanding that some families may not have access to the same technology used in the classroom. Perhaps the teacher could offer after school hours in the classroom for parents to accompany their students and review projects and to explore what is happening at school...technologically speaking.

Introducing...me!

My name is Stephanie Ritter and I'm pleased to announce this is my first blog entry EVER! I was born June 11, 1980 in La Jolla, CA and grew up in Encinitas, CA. For the first 18 years of my life, I spent every summer day at the beach and in my flip flops, which eventually became permanently attached to my feet. When it was time to leave the nest, I ventured to UC Davis where I completed my undergrad and, as they say, had the best years of my life...truly they were. After graduating I moved to San Francisco where I spent 6 years navigating through one way streets and up steep hills, going to Giants games, participating in Bay to Breakers (anyone else?), and enjoying all that the city offered...yet still in flip flops...even in the fog and rain. To pay the bills, I sold closets. Yes people, I said closets. I worked for California Closets as a Design Consultant and this is where I met my future husband, Tom. We are getting married in Lake Tahoe in August of this year! Tom and I recently moved back to Encinitas and just yesterday we bought him his first pair of San Diego flip flops.

Technology is part of every day for me, but while writing this I’m realizing I really keep it simple. I check email, create word and excel documents, download pictures, use the internet for driving directions, online banking, etc. I have to admit that I am still a paper person. I once tried to adapt to a PDA and almost lost my mind. There is just something about actually writing out my to-do list that makes me feel on track. I have the knowledge and am capable of performing intermediate tasks on computers, but I guess that I haven’t had need to move strongly in this direction. All I need my cell phone to do is make calls and send a few text messages. And I just recently replaced my "hot pink first ipod ever made" with a green ipod shuffle which doesn’t even have a screen. I am very open to learning new ways to incorporate technology into my life and am looking forward to this course. I trust that technology will be an asset and important tool in the classroom. I have always used a PC and actually purchased a new PC just a few hours before our first class last week…and then I immediately met the Mac in class. Sitting down in class last week to find a Mac was exciting because it was probably the second time in my life I had the opportunity. What version of Microsoft office am I using? Well, just a few minutes ago my fiancé began cursing at our new computer…something about Vista and Microsoft….the screen locking up (not sure what is exactly going on, but I’m thinking it is not good). So, I’ve been told that we’re now using Windows XP.

My decision to pursue the program at Cal State San Marcos was based on reputation and the immediate and extremely helpful response I received while inquiring. I researched other California State Schools and was most impressed with San Marcos. I hope to be able to better identify with the mission statement as I progress through the program, but as of now I am drawn to the following few phrases in a self reflective way: “preparing thoughtful educators…exemplified through reflective thinking, lifelong learning….” I believe that I will learn much about myself from my students and this awareness will strengthen my teaching abilities. I will become a better teacher everyday by listening and reflecting on my own teaching experiences. This will require my own lifelong learning commitment to self awareness in the classroom.