Journal # 3

Navigate the Digital Rapids

Lindsay/Davis, J./V. (2010). Navigate the digital rapids. Learnigs and Leding with Technology, 37(6), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/LLIssues/Volume3720092010/MarchAprilNo6/L_L_March_April_2010.htm

The authors of this article discusses how teachers can transform themselves into a professional that can use technology to research effectively create exciting learning projects. The Flat Classroom Project was started by Julie Lindsay and Vicki Davis where educators use a network to connect with other educators. They share ideas for worldwide connections, classes join virtually to become one large classroom. Some advices from the authors are: Customize teachers use digital tools in a variety of ways to create pictures of learning and understand how technology works. Monitor and be engaged an educational network is a group of people with the same purpose to share experiences in a focused environment including avatars they choose, styles of language they use, and the quality of material they upload. Have a plan, in flat classrooms project online and networking are moderated by the teacher. Overcome the fear factor one of the advantages is that you are not alone because there are a lot of teachers who can help you. You can get help from teachers who had connected their classrooms. Students should be educated as soon as they start using digital tools to create digital citizens. Put the learning in the hands of students so that they can develop appropriate online content and global citizenship. There are many projects were teachers can be connected such as Flat Classroom Projects, Net Generation Education, Digiteen, Digiparent and Eracism.

How do I moderate the content of networking sites?

Make sure students use appropriate language and what they upload. If someone finds an offensive material (picture or comment) the person who fund it has to report it then the teacher then the teacher decides the action taken. It could include asking the student to apologize the educational network or suspend him or banning the student from the network.

What is the first step to “flattening” a classroom?

The first step is to be connected yourself. Teachers have to have a good understanding of how technology works especially the collaborative Web 2.0 tools, such as wikis, Nings and blogging platforms.