The article “PLAYBACK: The Freedom to Read, Research and Explore” touches on a great point that merely blocking sites doesn’t promote the type of behaviors and skills students need to navigate the Internet. Students need to determine whether information is valid or just an opinion. Students need access to new information as well as historical information. Schools often discuss and lament that the textbooks are outdated. I would be fine never purchasing another textbook. I can almost find all those resources, open and free, online. Also, I have recently heard about this “badges for learning” and am curious as to how it works.
- Photo via via Visualhunt
I find students struggle using Google search even though I have walked them through Google’s Tips & Tricks. They still just type words in and click on the first links. I want them to evaluate the information rather than take it at face value and accurate. It just takes time and constant reminding them.
As a teacher, I need to make students aware of copyright laws so that students can make better educated decisions when they are online. Although, most of them just do it because I require it. They must cite their pictures and they do it ONLY because it is required. We’ve discussed the fact that if they didn’t create it, they don’t own it. It’s not theirs. Yet, my requirement to cite of information and pictures is only a check list for students to get a grade since I refuse to grade it if credit has not been given.
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Terea, I think it’s great that you don’t grade work unless proper citation is included. Do you find that all of your colleagues are also consciously teaching digital citizenship in the same way? Is it a school-wide practice?
At our school, there is work being done to address this issue and I believe policies are starting to be put into place. I’m not sure, however, how many teachers are insisting giving credit on images, for instance.
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Andrea,
I think that our situation is very similar. Many more teachers are becoming more aware and implementing citation requirements, but we are still working on progressing forward within the school. A few colleagues and I were discussing last week that communication needs to happen for all stake holders, teachers, students, parents, and administration.
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