In class we have talked about some very powerful and unsettling topics around things like Cyber-shaming and digital footprints. After watching some class videos and discussions with peers, it has opened my thoughts on the importance of teaching how to navigate through the online world and the dangers that can be out there.

For many years, the internet has been this amazing tool with endless information. What we forget about, is the danger behind the internet and those who use it for the wrong reasons. I think it is important to educate yourself and others about the harm that can be out there. This is also why I try to distance myself from the internet, I feel we are disconnected from the real world because everything you need to know can be right at your finger tips. Don’t get me wrong!! I get it, find answers to those questions you have been wondering about, or the best stuffed chicken recipe, how about the workout routine that what’s his name shared on how to get buff quick. Where would we be, if we were left in wonder? What if you didn’t need to know the answer to that question? or maybe making that chicken how you see fit. Or what about just working out to stay healthy? I have seen many different trends, I wonder if there will be a trend to “disconnect”?

HERE’S THE THING!! As future educators, we need to adapt all the time, and as much as I want to have my class not depend on technology, I understand we live in a digital world and it is my responsibility to teach and guide my students how to navigate the online world. Which starts with me, I need to have  an open mind, educate myself, and challenge myself to grow with the digital world! I can only hope the dark side of the internet changes over time, but for now, I plan to teach how to navigate through the good and bad of the digital world.

So I’m sitting outside reflecting on some of the articles, thinking about digital citizenship and how I might approach it in my future classroom. I started thinking what grade should we be introducing these 9 elements of digital citizenship. When I was in school, I never learned about anything related to the 9 elements. Now there was restrictions but we as students were never really educated on the digital world. The digital world is such a big of our lives now, we need to educate our students about the digital world throughout their educational journey.

The main question from the one article “Character Education for the Digital Age” by Jason Ohler is “should we teach our kids to have two lives or one?” This is a question I had to sit on for awhile. I am someone who struggles with the amount of technology kids are using today. What I am coming to understand, is that it is better to educate our students throughout their educational journey with digital citizenship to help them properly utilize the tool of the digital world. If I want to answer the question of two lives or one, I am going to lean towards one. For my future classroom, I envision the “one life” approach where mixing their digital experiences with their learning and understanding of community, values, and responsibility.

To break it down, I believe it is important to teach digital citizenship. If we are teaching our students about right and wrong in our classrooms, we need to teach the right and wrongs of the online world.

RAPID RISE NUMBERS DONT LIE

Technology has for many years now been on a rapid rise with the amount of users being connected online. It’s more common to see young kids connected online outside and inside the classroom. I was blown away while reading some of the stats of how much teens are using social media and what this could mean for me as a future educator.

INCLUDING WESCH

For myself, I have more recently declined my use of social media. I was getting a feeling of being overwhelmed and almost controlled by social media. Although, after watching Michael Wesch and the video “An anthropological introduction to YouTube” I started to see the good again and the true reason why we can access this tool. It was understanding that technology isn’t just about consuming but actively participating and building things like community, expression, and identity. I am trying to shift into a celebration mindset of the new wave of empowerment and the unimaginable possibilities using technology, allowing for us to connect in ways we have never connected before.

STUDENT CENTERED GUIDING

When I think of technology in the classroom the first thing that came to mind was student centered learning, which focuses on meeting the needs of each student, including their interests, and adapting towards different learning styles. The reason why I think this is important because if our students are interested in various technology apps, games, etc..we can utilize that interest to spark engagement with our students. For example, I was teaching a lesson on environment and pollution, where students would draw a healthy environment and a polluted environment. I had one student who came to me and said their not good a drawing. We ended up being able to use an Ipad app that allowed for him to create the environment. My point being we need to set up our students for success and that can mean making adjustments to learning styles, incorporating technology and most importantly finding those interests. As educators, we can use the tools and resources we have to help guide our students learning.

CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Screen time, distractions, and misinformation are all things that could potentially be challenges you faces with technology in the classroom if not approached diligently. That being said there are some amazing opportunities where students can connect with others, share their voices, and have an meaningful learning experience! I hope I can find a balance when bringing in technology into my classroom and help guide students. I want to embrace the potential it has to create critical thinking and meaningful learning experiences.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The digital world isn’t going away anytime soon, rather then me resisting it, I need to re-think how I plan on teaching with it and how my students can learn from it. I think with technology our classrooms can become a place of creativity, connection, and have a meaningful impact with students.

CHECK THIS OUT!

Here is an interesting take by Maylin Zhu on Finding Balance In A World Saturated With Screens.

Have you always wanted to create cartoons for a school assignment? what if your cartoon could help learn and create amazing things?? Look no further then Puppet Pals 2! This resource is fun and engaging for students!

With Puppet Pals 2, students can allow their imagination to come to life by creating their very own cartoons! Where characters are picked from standard curriculum which allows for students to learn valuable lesson without even knowing. Puppet Pals allows for students to engage in curriculum through a unique and fun app!

How can this be used in the classroom?

Puppet Pals 2 is a great tool to include in your classrooms because of the many different things you can use it for such as:

• Instructional videos
• Retelling historic events
• Story telling
• Book reports
• Brainstorming
• Assist ESL learners with language and fluency

This is a tool I would definitely consider bringing into my classroom because its a fun and unique way to include technology into my students learning! The two things I really like about this app is the story telling option and the ability for it to assist with ESL learners. This is another great tool that can be used as a learning strategy!

Technology is a big part of our world right now and in some ways it’s hard for me to wrap my head around, especially being someone who loves the outdoors. That being said, I do enjoy the mindless scrolling of Instagram, snapchat, and playing videos sometimes. I rely so much on technology with my school and my journey of becoming a teacher that it worries me sometimes if I’ll be able to keep up with the rapid changes of technology.

Video games would be the most distraction but during this time I am usually catching up with buddies who are online, were basically having a group phone call and it makes us feel all connected even though we are all living in different places. I have set timers on my tech to help reduce my screen time, which I find really helps give me a que that I need to take a break from the screen.

It is hard finding a balance for the two..I use technology for a lot of personal well being but also for mindless scrolling. This is where I am “Torn Between The Screen” because I use tech in some ways to educate myself on things that are usually spent without tech. For example, I’ll look up camping tips and tricks on google or see them on Instagram, but when I’m out camping I am far from connected to my phone.

When I was thinking about technology, I started to watch some Ted Talks on Youtube and I found a very interesting Ted Talk by Darlene Damm. Darlene discusses the good and evil of tech. Where do I stand with technology?? I’m not sure..still torn between the screen.

Welcome!

My name is Trey Lefebvre! I am born and raised here in Regina. I enjoy listening to music, spending time with friends, and most of all being outside!! Do you enjoy music? check out this amazing song by clicking this link!