Participate

Participate 1.1.1 Character Traits

Digital Citizenship (click link for more information)

To the left you will see many different ideas that make up a healthy community of online usage.  As a responsible digital participant, you will be required to adhere to regulations that ensure a safe learning environment for all users involved. Maintaining and facilitating a positive learning environment where thoughts and ideas can be expressed and explored in a safe manner.

Three important concepts that we should consider when engaging online are:
1.  Respect: As a teacher, we must respect others point of views and explaining why you may disagree with a topic that is being explored and discussed. Fostering a sense of respect is essential in creating an environment where students and teachers can speak freely and express their ideas without feeling judged.
2.  Connect: We have the responsibility of connecting with our audience.  Connecting in a way of providing a service that the audience is agreeing to engage in.Connecting in a way that inspires others to think outside of  what they are traditionally comfortable is a way to connect and inspire.
3.  Protect: Protecting yourself from legal issues concerning copyright laws is a concern for all online participants.  Providing clear instructions as to what is expected and appropriate for online post is essential.  Providing sources for students to reference is essential to providing a safe online environment.







_________________________________________________________________________________

Participate 1.1.2 Joining a DCL 

https://en.wikiversity.org/wiki/Wikiversity:Main_Page

I joined the Wikiversity DCL .  First of all let me just say WOW! WOW! WOW!  I am so impressed. I must confess, during my downtime when I am not online working, I may or may nor visit the Wikipeida website to explore topics I am interested in ;).  Wikiversity does not let me down, just like the Wikipedia website, I can search and explore many topics related to my subject of interest,  There are links to articles, images and projects that I can incorporate into my online teaching methods.  This source will be viable to exploring up to date information and also allowing me to provide my students with information that is important to keeping our current topics interesting and thought provoking,

As a digital citizen, I can make joining a DCL easier for my students by referencing the DCL that I am a member to.  I can reference the DCL and tell them that there is an abundance of references and information related to the topic we are learning about.  I can also provide links for the student to explore different DCL's so they can make a decision on what will best suite their learning needs.
_________________________________________________________________________________

Participate 1.1.3 Ideal DLC

An ideal DLC would be very flexible and versitle.  I think providing students with the ability to search references within the DLC would be important to allowing them to explore topics they may be struggling with or to allow them further resources to explore topics they find interesting.  The DLC would provide a variety of ways for a student to learn.  Learning would be fostered through

TEXTIMAGES

DISCUSSIONS,POWER POINTS    CURRENT EVENTS     INTERACTIVE VIDEOS

QUIZZES

In addition to providing a variety of learning tools, I feel the ideal DLC would be visually exciting and easy to use.  I know that when I am visiting a website, an easy to use site is one of the most important features I look for.  When a website is clear about content and easy to use, this allows more time to be spent on content and learning.  

________________________________________________________________________________

Participate 2.1.1 Collecting Reputable Digital Resources

I completed the web-based walkabout and collected and categorized sources using Google Bookmarks. I have never really used bookmarks, I have always depended on my computer history to take me back to the websites I have visited the most.  It's a little embarrassing that I have never taken the time to use the bookmark feature.  This could have simplified my life a long time ago.  I sort of feel like I am now one of the "cool" kids because I have learned something new and I can now apply this to my professional life to make research for myself and my students more time effective and efficient. All while knowing I am providing resources that are safe and accurate.  As I was creating the book marks, I was given the option to "Label' and "Create" new folders to help me organize what I was needing to bookmark.  This allowed me to create a folder just for educational and professional purposes.

The three most useful tools and resources that I found during the walkabout where Open Study, Symbaloo, USA.gov

In order for students to safely collect tools and resources taht can help maximize learning, they would need to be informed of what safe and effective websites actually are.  I would encourage them to watch a similar video presented to us during this quest which explains domain names.  They can start to recognize what the .com, .org, .gov actually mean.  This way they can start to facilitate their own awareness to the internet and the sites that they are visiting.
_________________________________________________________________________________

Participate 3.1.1 Access to Digital Community

Barriers that might impede students ability to access digital learning would be economical barriers. Being able to afford an electronic devise is the first step, than having a service provider for internet is the second step in being a digital learner.  If either of these steps are not options, than a student would need access to the devices and services through a public library or a school.  These barriers can be discouraging for students. If a student can not afford to purchase a device or pay for the internet service, than working on a class would be limited to the hours the school or library are open. 

One way to eliminate these barriers would be for local schools to provide a device that the student could borrow/checkout, when school hours are not in session.  If the student need internet services, than there are plenty of public areas that provide free "Wifi" that the student could use to complete assignments.

Another problem I think for all educators and students is depending on the internet provider and the power company to be up to par on their end.  I often experience power outages and a down internet service and if can be very frustrating.  

One way to eliminate this barrier would be to have a back up option such as an "air card" that you can use a mobile internet provider in case of emergencies.  Another way to eliminate this barrier would be to have access to a public library or a place that offers free "wifi". 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Participate 3.1.2 Digital Resources and Netiquette 

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Participate 4.1.1 Digital Rights and Responsibilities

A Digital Learning Community (DLC) can ensure that citizens within the community have access to an environment where the Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) protects the members as well as the community by having an agreed up procedure before learning begins.  Before a member engages into the learning community, the process and procedures need to be presented and agreed upon. A written notice that is signed by the joining party would be a way to help protect the DLC.  The agreement would list expectations and policies as well as consequences for compromising the policies.

The best way for a DLC to establish maintain a flourishing DLC environment is for all participants to engage and follow the AUP.  Teachers and administrators will need to model behaviors that they expect their students to uphold.  Having the AUP digitally posted and available for reference after it has been signed is a good way to ensure that the AUP is upheld and not forgotten.  The teacher could also reference the AUP in news feed items to remind students of the policies.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Participate 4.1.2 Digital Safety and Secutiry

_________________________________________________________________________________Participate  4.1.3 Digital Health

The most proactive means of ensuring the most balanced blend of technology and well-being is to set boundaries.  Just like we set boundaries for our students, we need to set boundaries for ourselves.  Allowing ourselves time to disconnect with the digital world and balance our online community with our face to face lives. Scheduling time each day to step away from the computer and setting an alarm to remind you to stand up and stretch or go for a short walk.  I often sit down to work and lose track of time.  I think setting an alarm is a great way to know that I will get a short break and reconnect with my face to face word.  This offers a good mental break and provides me for a fresh look at the work I'm engaging in.

As teachers, we can encourage our students to follow our lead.  Leaving them tips in the news feed to help them manage their time engaged in the digital community is both healthy and productive.