Digital Life. Ready or Not!

      Getting ready to introduce weekly technology integration into my math and reading classes, I came to some realizations. One, my students level of technology proficiency varies widely. From students who have computers at home to play games and surf the web, to no computer or internet access. The other is the desire to have my students have a fulfilling and safe experience. There is a responsibility to instruct them in ethical digital citizenship. To begin their introduction into digital citizenship, I selected a unit in self image and identity. It includes the unit lessons: Digital Life 102; Students test their knowledge of digital media and talk about the role media plays in their lives. The other is Feelings on Display; Students reflect on the different pressures teens face when it comes to editing, posting, and commenting on photos online. Some of the objectives include:

 Students will be able to …

• learn basic statistics about the current digital landscape. explore the role that media plays in their lives. 
• Reflect on the positive and negative impact digital media have on themselves and on society. 
• Identify examples of teens evaluating one another’s photos online. 
• Compare and contrast attitudes toward boys and girls regarding editing, posting, and commenting on personal photos that are posted on social network sites. 
• Analyze broader gender norms and media messages that may frame the way people use and interpret photos on social network sites. 

Materials will include:

• A copy the Got Media Smarts? Student Handout, one for each student. 
• Preview the video, “Perspectives on Social Media,” and prepare to show it to students. 
• Video discussion handout.

     The lesson primarily involves asking students in three parts how digital media is involved in their lives and what affect it has on it. Some of the questions asked are;

• How big a role does digital media (Internet, texting, video games) play in your life (a little, some, a lot)? 
• Do you connect with others or create things with digital media? 
• What are the positive and not-so-positive aspects of having digital media in your life? 
• Are girls known for posting certain kinds of photos or albums? If so, what kinds? Why do you think that is?

     The second portion includes watching a video and afterwards discussing the pro's and con's to social media. The final portion of the lesson is the assessment of the student's understanding of the material and have them write in their online journal. Here in the sample question, Can you describe one upside an one downside for yourself about living in a digital world? Students should be able to name and explain some of the positive and negative aspects of digital technologies discussed. In my goal to give students more exposure to technology, but having limited time, I would digitize the quizzes and videos so they could viewed on the computer their using. One possible way I would do this is through the using the quiz function in Edmodo. The other thing I might do is extend the lesson time. My students may not be able to finish it in the allotted time, so I would extend it to part of the next instructional day.