Reed Manstedt

http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/high-school-notes/2011/09/07/more-high-schools-implement-ipad-programs?int=96e908

In this article it talked about how many schools today are going or have gone to a 1 to 1 technology format where each students gets their own iPad or tablet.  The reason I found this article interesting is because my school here in Crete will be going to a 1 to 1 format here within the next several years.

Throughout the article it talked about how 4 schools out in California performed an evaluation over students who used the iPads to study and students who used traditional textbooks to study and surprisingly it was the students who used the iPad which scored higher.  I found this interesting and feel that the main reason for this would be that with today's generation being so technologically driven (tv, video games, cell phones ect..) that the use of iPad for studying was much easier from a comfort standpoint for the students.

The article went on to talk about how iPads can also be a possible distraction in the classroom as well.  With their being thousands of apps out there today, it is hard to regulate which apps the students are downloading and using.   My biggest question for someone teaching at a 1 to 1 school, is how hard is it to make sure students are using the iPad in class for educational purposes and not just playing games on it?

Digital Citizenship

What do students really need to know about digital citizenship?

This article from Edutopia discussed the "9 Key P's" of digital citizenship.  The author, Vicki Davis, suggests discussing the each of the following P's of digital citizenship throughout the year.

1. Passwords - Students must know how to create a secure password and a system for remembering those passwords. See 10 Important Password Tips Everyone Should Know.

2. Privacy - Are we teaching our students how to protect private information?  

3. Personal Information - Be careful who and how much information you share!

4. Photographs - Geo-tagging features and facial recognition software can easy locate you!

5. Property - Caution must be taken when searching Google for images.  Students must learn how to go to the source, ask permission, and cite the source.

6. Permission - Correctly site work you use!  Give permission where it belongs.

7. Protection - Help students understand viruses and identity theft

8. Professionalism - Discuss netiquette - how to appropriately communicate on the Internet

9. Personal Brand - "Digital tattoo" - your online identify is formed by you over time.  It is easy to create, but very difficult to remove!

I enjoyed reading this article by Vicki Davis.  I want to teach my students to stay safe online. Often I believe students think they can hide behind their computer.  I look forward to teaching my students about their "digital tattoo" and how they are building their online reputation now!