Teaching and Learning With Technology

Erin A. DeSelms
ABC Community School
July 28, 2017

Technology in schools is not something new. Computers have been used in schools for

decades now for things like typing and research. New, is how we are using technology in schools

today. We have iPads, laptops, smartboards, and so much more technology that we use every

single day in our classrooms here at ABC Community School. This technology not only helps

teachers, but helps students explore, imagine, innovate, and design. Losing out on these

opportunities given to them with technology could effectively disadvantage these students later

in life. Technology is absolutely everywhere, even as I sit here and write this to you I am using a
computer. Almost every job today requires some kind of knowledge of technology and removing

it from our school is putting these students at a disadvantage and is unfair to them.

If we remove and discontinue use of technology within our classrooms and focus on

standardized testing, these students will not be learning and engaging proactively. Sitting in a

classroom for six hours everyday learning how to take a test will not help these students succeed.

We have seen from past mistakes that pushing our students to do well on these tests can often

lead to labeling of students as not succeeding in school, when in fact they are. Using technology

to engage our students helps improve their cognitive abilities and assist teachers in preparing our

students for assessments and real life.

I would like to share an excerpt from an article written for The Daily Telegraph in

London. In his English class at Wellington College in Berkshire, 15-year-old Dominic Atherton

hardly ever writes on paper. He has a blog that displays his work; he contributes to shared online

documents with classmates; and he even has his own school Twitter account, which he uses to

comment on events, such as lectures from guest speakers - the latest of these was from a visiting

astrobiologist. "Technology helps the teacher get the subject across and allows everyone to work

together without it becoming confusing," he says. These students are creating and learning

using every aspect of technology available to them, and it is making it easier for them to

understand concepts through technology. Using a laptop allows students who have difficulty

writing the ability to produce better work than with a pencil and paper. Allowing a student who

has difficulties brainstorming or organizing thoughts the ability to use a word processor or a

tablet with word processing apps can let that student explore their creativity without restrictions.

We have students who use technology in ways that allow them to break free of the boundaries set

on them in school. Special education students thrive with technology, whether is be a tablet with
apps to support them, a word processor, a text to speech app, or assistive technology for students

who have trouble hearing, this technology is allowing our students to perform to the best of their

abilities and allowing us, as teachers, to teach them to the best of our abilities.
 References
Pozniak, Helena. (2014).The class of tomorrow: Technology in schools is

becoming a useful learning tool. The Daily Telegraph, retreived from https://search-

proquest-com.ezproxy.library.csn.edu/docview/1507520311?pq-origsite=summon
 After reviewing the state of Nevadas standards for computers and technology and the

national standards I believe that Nevadas standards are lining up with national standards, as they

should. In Nevadas standards it is said that, Across the globe and in Nevada, growth in

technology has transformed every aspect of business, government, society and life. Education

must adapt to these changes, as well. This is demonstrated in the standards set for Nevada and

across the country. The standards in Nevada, as well as the rest of the country, want to create

digital citizens, inspire creativity and innovation, encourage collaboration, shape critical thinkers,

and develop knowledge of operations and technology in general. Students should be able to

demonstrate all of these standards in a way that is appropriate for their age and grade level.

Indicators include, being able to locate keys on a keyboard, contribute creative ideas, identify

tools used in technology, enter data, and much, much more.

The standard I would like to isolate and talk about today is part of standard 5, Digital

Citizenship. Standard 5.A.5.2 - Describe unacceptable and unsafe behaviors in digital

environments such as cyber-bullying, divulging personal information, and plagiarism. I believe

that before students can begin using technology is a safe and effective manner, they must first

learn the basic rules and guidelines that come with using technology. Being a good digital citizen

is important for children, even in elementary school. Teaching students to be safe online is

something every teacher needs to stress when using the internet in the classroom.

Students should be able to identify what is wrong and what is right on the computer and

on the internet. They should also be able to independently identify a solution to these problems.

Being a good digital citizen starts with us, as teachers, showing students how to be safe,

responsible, yet independent online.

Name of lesson: We Are Digital Citizens

 Grade Level Appropriateness: 3rd - 5th grade
Technology Content Standard Addressed: Standard 5.A.5.2 - Describe unacceptable and
unsafe behaviors in digital environments such as cyber-bullying, divulging personal information,
and plagiarism.
Other Content Standard Addressed: L.4.4.a Use context (e.g., definitions, examples, or
restatements in text) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
Objective: Students will be able to identify instances of misuse of the internet and come up
with solutions to fix misuse. Using context clues, students will be able to determine good vs. bad
online behavior with at least 90% accuracy.
Materials needed to facilitate the lesson: Desktop computers or laptops for all students (in
computer lab), teacher computer, Digital Citizen from Miss D, Powerpoint with laminated cut
outs for assessment, whiteboard, magnets, Powerpoint or Google Slides.
Suggested group size: Whole class instruction and individual projects.
Procedures:
Introduction: When students come into the computer lab have them sit on the floor in front of the
whiteboard. Begin class by introducing what a digital citizen is with the Digital Citizen
Powerpoint up on the board. Ask the class what do you think being a digital citizen means?
and have a whole class discussion about what being a good digital citizen might look like, and
what being a bad digital citizen might look like. Give the students examples of what being a
bad digital citizen might be (cyber-bullying or stealing someone's password and hacking their
accounts). Introduce students to the Powerpoint Digital Citizens on the whiteboard. Go
through the Powerpoint drawing numbers from the bucket labeled student numbers to have a
student read each slide of the Powerpoint. The bucket is on my desk, it is pink and has 25
popsicle sticks in it with each computer number. Students will know their numbers. Once you
have gone through to slide 13, have a discussion about why it is important to be a good digital
citizen. Ask questions like, What could happen if we post online that we are out of town for the
weekend? What should you do if you see something inappropriate online? After having a
brief discussion, read the class the scenarios from slide 14 and 16, allowing students to answer
the questions provided after each scenario.
After reading both scenarios and having students answer, begin to introduce project we will be

working on today.
Activities: Students will be creating their own 5 slide Powerpoint at their computers about what
it means to them to be a good digital citizen and what kind of impact they want their digital
footprint to leave on the world. Explain briefly what digital footprint is. Much like a carbon
footprint, a digital footprint is what we leave behind on the internet for others to see for years,
and possibly generations to come. Do we want to leave behind a nice, friendly, kind legacy? Or
do we want to leave behind a mean and cruel legacy? Everything we post on the internet could
possibly be there forever. Explain to students what we will be creating in Powerpoint. Their
slideshow must have 5 slides and the slides will be:
1. Title slide, this should include: Title of their presentation, students name, date,
school, and some sort of picture or animation that pertains to their title.
2. What is a digital citizen? On this slide, students will be explaining what being a
digital citizen means to them in their own words. Make sure to include a picture
or clipart.
3. Examples of a bad digital citizen. On this slide, students will give examples of
what being a bad digital citizen would look like. They can use examples from the
slideshow or their own examples. Make sure to include a picture or clipart.
Students need at least five examples.
4. Examples of a good digital citizen. On this slide, students will give examples of
what being a good digital citizen would look like. They can use examples from
the slideshow or their own examples. Make sure to include a picture or clipart.
Students need at least five examples.
5. What kind of digital footprint will you leave on this world? On this slide students
will write in their own words what they want their digital footprint to be like.
Will you be kind and make an impact on somebody in a good way? Stress to the
students that what we leave on the internet could be there forever. They should
 include examples of the type of footprint they want to leave behind, and pictures
or clipart.
Allow students to return to their computers and begin by opening Powerpoint from their desktop
and start working on their slides. Slideshows will be graded on neatness, color, pictures, design,
and overall creativity as well as following directions exactly as they are given. Stress to the
students to be creative and add color, pictures, clipart, or anything else shows off their
individuality and creativity. Once students are finished, or if they finish early they may read to
selves or take a worksheet from the Im done basket located at the front of the room on the
table with the tissues. Students will work on their slides until 2:45 p.m. or until they are finished.
Students will then have a seat back on the floor in front of the whiteboard.
Assessment: Students will now be playing the game, Digital Citizen or Digital Pest? This is
from slides 21 to 24 and has already been printed and laminated.

There are 12 different scenario cards that are to be hung on the whiteboard using magnets. Place

the digital citizen and digital pest cards on the whiteboard next to each other. Using the

popsicle sticks with student numbers, call students randomly to come up to the board and place a

scenario under the proper heading. Students should be able to complete this assignment with

90% accuracy or higher.