Remember the good old days of inappropriate use of the internet? The teacher would just take away the student's "privilege" of using a computer and give them paper instead. Those were the days when many educators using computers were just in the first stage of SAMR. Technology served as a "substitute" and provided no functional change.
The good old days weren't really so good
Fast forward to today and many administrators and educators realize those good old days really weren't so good after all. Today, technology, is not a privilege. Equitable access to technology is a right. It allows students to do work that is real, relevant, and authentic in ways that are not possible or even conceivable without it. The introduction of technology is no longer an enhancement of what paper can do, it transforms what students can do. Additionally, technology makes learning accessible and inclusive for all students including those with disabilities and who aren't fluent in the language.
New consequences for inappropriate use
At the Tech & Learning Leadership Summit that took place December 2019, leaders in technology and education discussed the new consequences for inappropriate use. Here were some ideas shared.
Step 1: Lock down the filtering
Step 2: Only open it up after students have:
- Completed an online course in digital citizenship
- Met with the guidance counselor to address the issue
- Discussed the issue with their family and school staff
This strategy doesn't focus on punishment. It focuses on helping the student learn and grow.
cross posted at The Innovative Educator
Lisa Nielsen (@InnovativeEdu) has worked as a public-school educator and administrator since 1997. She is a prolific writer best known for her award-winning blog, The Innovative Educator. Nielsen is the author of several booksand her writing has been featured in media outlets such as The New York Times,The Wall Street Journal, Tech&Learning, and T.H.E. Journal.
