Journal 3

Journal 3-Students need a digital drivers license before they start their engines NETS-T III

Swan, G. (2012). Students need a digital drivers license before they start their engines. Learning and leading, 40(4), 26-28. Retrieved from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/201212?pg=5

In this article in Learning and Leading by Gerry Swan, we are introduced to a unique problem that our digital students can potentially have.  In the past, children use to take home a library book or two, and there was little that could go wrong other than a bit of extra reading.  In todays learning environments, children may check out digital devices such as ipads that are expensive, and can be used inappropriately.  These Ipads or bring-your-own-device (BYOD)'s are required to have a Digital Drivers License if a school is making them available.  In order to acquire this license, educators are presented with unique challenges in making the license available.  In the case of our article, the school requires self paced student cases to be completed with a passing grade, currently set to 80%.  Issues such as cyber bullying and copyright infringement are covered, and if sufficient knowledge is demonstrated, the child can use the BYOD.  

Q1:  How can I see myself utilizing digital citizenship for a student who wants a BYOD?  

A1.  In order to make sure that the student is sufficiently capable to use the BYOD, I would assess the students work and see how they view their digital citizenship.  If acceptable, I would allow them to persue the DDL.

Q2:  Do I think BYOD's are currently a hot issue in local schools?  

A2:  Not really.  The school classrooms I have volunteered in have had 2 Ipads maximum, and they were not being checked out by students.