I am commenting on the article entitled "Students Learn Cyber Skills At a No-Tech School.
This article describes the Cyber Civic Program of Journey School in Aliso Viejo, California. This school decided to implement the Waldorf approach in the school implementing more hands-on and art based activities instead of using technology with the students. Children do not get to use technology until they reach 6th grade when they also have cyber civic program. Students learn acceptable and ethical behavior while using technology. Eventually, they also learn to use technology for research purposes as well as how to properly cite for sources. These are all part of their Digital Citizenship and research literacy program. One benefit of the program is the lack of cyber bullying and sexting problems at Journey School.
Questions to think about:
1. What do students need to learn before letting them use technology and internet in the classroom?
2. What skills do we need to teach our students on how to use technology for research purposes?
3. Do you agree children as young as kinder should be permitted to use technology in the school?
4. Do you think that every school district should have a cyber civic program that clearly defines the skills students need to learn while using technology?
I think that a lot of educators put too much emphasis on the use of technology in the classroom. We need to strike a balance. Like I said in my previous blog, educational apps and technology are additional tools in teaching and learning, but this should not replace the explicit and thorough teaching of skills by our teachers. Also, aside from using technology, we should also teach our students on other life skills such as home economics, carpentry, auto mechanics to our students. And before letting students navigate into the internet and using technology, they should undergo a cyber civic program similar to what Journey School has so students know how to properly use technology and the ethical behavior while in the web.
1. What do students need to learn before letting them use technology and internet in the classroom?
ReplyDeleteEvery student must learn of Internet Safety and Responsibilities that comes
with using the internet.
2. What skills do we need to teach our students on how to use technology for research purposes?
Prior to teaching students of technology, I personally would like to encourage
teachers to prioritize student's reading and writing skills.
3. Do you agree children as young as kinder should be permitted to use technology in the school?
Yes, it is important that we incorporate technology in schools as early as
kinder. In this way, they have the awareness of what is ahead of them relating
to technology based-lessons. Kinder should have the first-hand experience of
learning basic computer skills and applications.
4. Do you think that every school district should have a cyber civic program that clearly defines the skills students need to learn while using technology?
Clearly, yes. :)
Thank you Ms. Jenina for sharing this article. I definitely have the same in mind about having the right balance integrating classroom lessons with technology and usage of internet. Great article!
ReplyDelete