Tech Task #2: Students and the Digital Age

Hello readers,

Today I am given the task of comparing and contrasting the difference between the "Typical Teacher Network" and "The Networked Teacher". Both models are shown below.

The Teachers Network Models

In this model, it is obvious that the "typical teacher" is most likely a teacher of the past or someone who is living in the past and without the use of integrating technology. Their network is very short and doesn't extend much past the basics of being  teacher - Having access to curriculum documents, colleagues, family/community, a computer and a television at home to watch the news.

In this model, you can see they have all of the same networks that the "Typical Teacher" had but a much more broadened access to different media outlets with the use of technology. So now they have access to social media platforms which gives them access to things like social bookmarking, digital forums, chats, video conferencing, blogs, wiki's ect. Hands down, this person has way more resources available to them to aid their professional development. 

The Students Network

Now I am asked to think about what the new students network would look like. I think their network would be mostly riddled with social media networks and things that accompany them. Depending on the age of the students, their parents and family members could be a huge part of their network. We see that its an especially strong and respected network for younger students from ages 5-14 years old. But once the students start to reach high school, their peers and friends start to have more influence on them than their parents/family do. When students get to high school they start thinking more independently and critically for themselves as opposed to being walking, talking, small minion puppets of their parents opinions when they are young.

Digital Well-Being Of Canadian Families Statistics

   When looking at some of the statistics in Canada on digital citizenship (http://mediasmarts.ca/sites/mediasmarts/files/publication-report/summary/infographic-digital-canadian-families.pdf) something really stood out and struck me. In the statistics it was talking about the parents and what they are doing for their own children's digital citizenship advice. More than a third of the parents agreed (36%) that they are poor role models when it comes to digital technology habits for their child. Only 81% of parents think that "it's important for my child's future that they think critically about how they use digital technology". So this leads to the question, where are parents turning to for digital parenting advice? This study shows that 61% is from other parents/friends, 31% from their child's school, and 23% from media resources. So we need to start thinking more critically as teachers for our "Hidden Curriculum" and how we can be good role models when it comes to digital technology habits for students and also realize that we need to help educate the importance of digital citizenship habits. 

Thank you for your time reading this, and take care,

- DJ

Picture references:

"Typical Teacher Network" & "The Networked Teacher" 

https://mikenantais.wixsite.com/buedtech/getting-connected-ple-pln 

: http://www.flickr.com/photos/courosa/2922421696/