Blogging About Social Networking & Digital Citizenship:

After completing week 4 of my Master’s class on Social Networking and Digital Citizenship I have discovered several new technologies and lesson ideas that I’d like to pursue.  One of my colleagues and I also created a Digital Citizenship Policy that I will use and share in my classroom when teaching digital citizenship and especially when expanding our connections to the outside world.

One of the new technologies I’d like to pursue and find out more about ways to integrate into my lessons is VoiceThread (VT).  My first thought was to have students create a VT similar to what Rich and Edis did for their policy, explaining each of the 9 components of digital citizenship.  I would have students collaborate in groups of two and then go back and forth explaining each component. This would be a great way for them to review the policy and summarize.  I can then check for understanding by watching the VT videos.

Another idea for VT could be in collaboration with the Reading Teachers in the building.  All students are required to take a certain amount of reading counts tests during the semester to make sure they are reading.  I could have students create VT videos summarizing the books they are reading as an extension of the reading counts tests.

I’m also going to pursue a blogging challenge called “Student Blogging Challenge” through Edublogs.  I am going to start the process of getting permission forms for students to create blog accounts.  I feel I need to start now with this process so I can secure all the forms well in advance of this challenge.  During this blogging challenge we will discuss the 9 components of digital citizenship and what makes a good blog.  I will require that each student create an original blog answering the question and then comment on 2 blogs from students around the world.  I feel my biggest barrier will be getting permission to create personal blog accounts and making parents feel comfortable with their child’s safety online.

During this week I have learned new ways to integrate social networking and digital citizenship into my classroom.  I am looking forward to sharing my knowledge with my students and transforming them into good digital citizens.