About Keren Tan

I am an International Student from the Philippines. I am currently taking my Master in Education major in TLL. I am a wife and a mother of two boys, ages 9 and 6. Previously, I was an elementary teacher for seven years in a public school.

EC&I 832: Digital Citizenship and Media Literacies – Summary of Learning

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The summary of my learning from the course EC&I 832: Digital Citizenship and Media Literacies, I gained insights into the essential aspects of digital citizenship. The course emphasized the importance of responsible behavior in the digital realm, underscoring the need for individuals to possess the skills and knowledge required to navigate the digital world effectively and safely.

In the contemporary digital era, the acquisition of technological skills begins at a young age, with children engaging with various digital platforms. The limitless nature of technology as a learning tool is emphasized, transcending age boundaries. Consequently, individuals of all ages have the ability to access information through digital media sources such as websites, social media, and podcasts, necessitating the development of skills to analyze and evaluate content for reliability, credibility, and validity.

The integration of information and communication technology (ICT) into education characterizes 21st-century learning. Teachers utilize digital tools to enhance lesson delivery, leveraging features like videos and colorful presentations to engage students effectively. Simultaneously, students employ technology to search for digital literature, share educational knowledge, and contribute to online media. The guidance of teachers and parents is crucial in ensuring responsible technology use both at school and home, with adults serving as role models for responsible digital citizenship.

Mike Ribble’s nine elements of digital citizenship, particularly the emphasis on digital etiquette, resonated as a crucial aspect of online behavior. The need for proper attitude online, prevention of cyberbullying, and awareness of legal rights in technology use were highlighted. Parental guidance extends to managing device usage to safeguard children’s health. Furthermore, individuals are increasingly conscious of their digital identity, encompassing behavior, preferences, and engagements in the online space. The concept of digital footprints, especially in financial transactions, was explored, emphasizing the importance of online security practices.

The evolution of information consumption from traditional media to digital platforms was discussed, showcasing the shift towards reliance on social media and the internet for staying updated. The role of online searches for digital references and the integration of AI for text composition in the learning process were acknowledged.

Looking forward, the narrative underscored the responsibility to disseminate valid information online for the benefit of future generations. The cautionary note on the verification of information due to the prevalence of fake news emphasized the ongoing challenge of maintaining information integrity in the digital age. As new generations emerge, the call to continue providing accurate and valuable online content for educational purposes and future endeavors is highlighted.

Week #8

We had discussed media literacy. According to Grosseck and Malita (2018), media literacy is a “combination of digital, social, and cognitive skills” (Grosseck and Malita, 2018). We are all aware that when it comes to teaching and learning, we are dependent on using digital literature that we can just search online. Also, to make everything easier for school, we use different educational media platforms to deliver the lessons very well to our students.

The schools are now in 21st-century learning, and the curriculum is integrated with ICT. When it comes to learning, searching online is a big part of our students lives to have resources and learn. We have to guide and discuss with our students how to be keen observers when they research online for articles, journals, videos, and others, because now they are also a part of the digital citizenry. And we also want them to be aware and learn from real information when it comes to their studies.

As digital citizens, we should be aware of everything that we see, read, and hear in online media. As adults, students must learn from us that we are media literate. like how responsible we are when consuming information and using social media and the internet wisely. When I read this article, Practice Innovations: Seeing is no longer believing — the rise of deepfakes – Thomson Reuters Institute one of the resources we have in our class. When applying AI in education, we must see the advantages and disadvantages of it. We all know that some content is useful in teaching and learning, especially because of interactive features that students will appreciate more because they show realistic effects. Also, in mathematics, they can easily compute and analyze data. But then, when we look on the other side, there are disadvantages like copyright issues, using voices and images that are not owned, and also showing fake information.

Every piece of information that we may see, read, or hear. We have to analyze and do more research before we share to anyone, especially young minds.

Before, Now, and Then

During my elementary and high school years, we used to fill out some forms with the use of paper and pens when we were enrolled at school. We manually write our information on a sheet of paper and submit it to the registrar. Everything information and data gathering runs with the compilation of papers. and they type the information into the computer. Only offices and teachers have access to computers. And the students need to bring many books and notebooks to school every day. and our teachers used every limit of teaching material made of Styrofoam, sticks, plastic, and paint for the models. Usually, chalk and a board were used during discussions. But good thing, as the years passed during my high school year, the use of Pentium computers was maximized because computer subjects were implemented in the curriculum. But still, limited use of computers for students was one of the rules; we can only use computers during our subject, and the objective of the subject is how to use the basic software like Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Unlike now, many elementary students have their own gadgets and

digital identities, and everything runs with their finger, cellphone, tablet, and laptop. Most of the other assignments were posted online, and using references is just a click away. And when applying for an account, all are running on computer systems with the use of user IDs, passwords, or PINs, and biometrics. In the article Embed digital citizenship in all subject areas we have covered in our course, it is stated that by becoming digital citizens in school, learners can better understand the lessons in every subject.

For me, it is entirely possible that we will advance as digital citizens, given the continuous enhancement and integration of technology in school curricula. and the school may produce students who are more knowledgeable in digital and technological But then, as adults, we must set an example for the younger generation by demonstrating responsible digital citizenship.

What if Ribble’s 9 elements were applied in teaching?

For me as a parent, Ribble’s 9 elements make sense; it helps a lot for my kids because they may be aware of what to do and not to do when it comes to using digital technology in social media. They may think first about what they should post on their Facebook or other social media apps if it is appropriate or not. For school purposes, they should know how to evaluate and choose the right digital references and studies. And it helps to secure their networked devices by using strong passwords to avoid being hacked.

As a teacher, I am aware that my other students have Facebook, Gmail, and TikTok accounts. I always remind them that they have to be careful with what they share or post. Especially if they have a problem or conflict with their classmates, they should not post it on social media because this will lead to cyberbullying. Also, when it comes to self-learning, they have to be aware that not all digital literacy is valid for learning. I tell them that they have to evaluate first if the digital literacy that they chose is appropriate or not.

We, as teachers, are also dependent on digital technology, which we also apply to teaching students and assessing and evaluating their learning. But still, how aware are we when it comes to disseminating the assessment or evaluation online to the students, especially in research, essays, etc. that they need to answer at home sometimes? Aren’t they cheating using AI or copying and pasting from the digital references of other’s work? Also, how do they communicate with us using chats and email? How do they behave on social media?  How long do they use their devices that may affect their health?

Well, it is better for us to remind them that, as digital citizens, according to Mike Ribble, “there is law in proper image use, proper citations, plagiarism, and respecting the intellectual property of others. And we must ensure that our students can access digital technologies. For example,  some students can give them or lend them a device that they do not use anymore and can also access Wi-Fi or a hotspot. And also, students must learn digital etiquette by following the rules and expectations of websites they visit.” This shows Respect for self and others. Next, we must remind them to “learn to select the best digital tool for the job and to use that tool efficiently. And in communication, they should be reminded to learn to organize their thoughts so they can be understood by others. When they communicate, it must be different from friends to professional ones, and they must use the right word. And we should also guide them on how to use e-commerce sites safely to ensure the sites are legitimate and protect personal and financial information.” this shows Educating self and others. And lastly, “we must educate them to practice the need for strong passwords and keep their passwords confidential to avoid the spread of viruses and other malicious software. And remind them to avoid cyberbullying by posting unnecessary content about other people. And even with the guidance of parents, when at home, they have to limit their children’s use of devices that leads them to addictions; they have to balance their time spent using devices with other physical activities.” That shows Protecting self and others.

If we adapt these elements of Mike Ribble in our teaching and at home, our students will be more knowledgeable about protecting themselves and others, especially the community, as digitalized citizens. And violations and damages from using technologies will be less.

21st Century Learning now, what will be in the future?

We are all aware that we are somehow depending on different technologies and digital devices. That is why even schools needs to adapt digital teaching, like students nowadays, if they want to learn something different like playing guitar or editing images and videos using Software. They just search it in Youtube, Google, etc. This is what the Department of Education from the students, that they can also learn with the use of technology and devices. And the thing is students are more advance in using these things than their teachers. And now teachers need to become more advance to go with the flow of the advancement of the world when it comes to learning.

21st century learning is we are now in different schools. Instead of applying the traditional way of teaching; chalk and board, instructional materials (made of colored papers, glue, markers, crayons), pen and paper assessments. We are now using digital images, videos as references and for singing songs, digital devices for assessments.

According from the reading ” What are the New Skills” by Henry Jenkins, that the “schools are bringing up new media literacies landscapes.” For me, this is where the students expand and learn new skills: “play-which they have capacity to experiment with one’s surroundings in a form of problem-solving, performance-they adopt alternative identities for the purpose of improvisation and discovery, simulation-the ability to interpret and construct dynamic

models of real-world process, appropriation-the ability to meaningfully sample and remix media content, multitasking– the ability to scan one’s environment and shift focus as needed to salient details, distributed cognition– the ability to interact meaningfully with tools that expand mental capacities, collective intelligence– the ability to pool knowledge and compare notes with others toward a common goal, judgment– the ability to evaluate the reliability and credibility of different information sources, transmedia navigation-the ability to follow the flow of stories and information across multiple modalities, networking– the ability to search for, synthesize, and disseminate information negotiation-the ability to travel across diverse communities, discerning and respecting multiple perspectives, and grasping and following alternative norms.” The mentioned new skills that can be or will be the outcome of the students because of 21st century learning where they become more productive in their learning that they can contribute to the community.

It is possible that our educational system will be change, because it is also possible that the Education will based from where the students excel and where the students will be convenient when it comes to learning. And in the future, though we are already in a digitalized citizenship, school and community will be more advance especially in systems in education, marketing, and etc. But still, as a parents and teachers, we must guide them on how to use and apply it in appropriate usage, and we should also be a good model to them on how we use technologies and digital devices in a good way.

How saturated are we in media literacy for being Media Literate?

My thoughts on W.J. Potter’s Media Literacy are as follows: Media messages are increasingly overpowering us, starting with Hollywood’s release of feature films. “YouTube is one of the platforms used to watch videos and listen to music” (YouTube, 2013). Additionally, we can quickly search for references like books on Google, which returns many uploaded web pages if needed.

Before, a person was required to enroll in a course at any institution or pass an audition to become a qualified artist, musician, photographer, journalist, writer, or video game creator. But in the modern world, anything is now feasible. They may submit content through the applications and posts and be known for their positions, especially if they do so frequently.

From the statement of Roberts & Foehr, “In your lifetime, much of the increase in media exposure has been from video games and computer usage, which were typically engaged at the same time as other media use, especially listening to music or watching television (D.F. Roberts & Foehr, 2008). We are all aware that there are media messages, but our minds are automatically set to filter the messages, and some of us do not know if they have a benefit. Because of our many messages, we are paying attention to them. Like the statement, “A wealth of information creates a poverty of attention “(Angwin, 2009, p. 239). Our minds are overwhelmed by too many messa

ges, but we should also know how to pay attention to them because we will benefit from them in the future.

When it comes to Media literacy, this is the thing from the statement that says “that we expose ourselves to the mass media to interpret the meaning of the messages” from the perspective of anyone. They express it using emotional, aesthetic, and moral dimensions in how they react to the messages they have read in any references. Media literacy comprises three building blocks: skills, knowledge, structures, and a personal locus. These help us develop authentic media literacy. Same thing how we do it when we post in Instagram, Facebook, etc. we post our reactions about the current issues that we are encountering, but of course before we construct, we make sure that everything in our content are true.