Journal #3

Lindsay, J, & Davis, V. (2010). Navigate the digital rapids. Learning & Leading with Technology March/April , 37(6). Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/LLIssues/Volume3720092010/MarchAprilNo6/Navigate_the_Digital_Rapids.htm


The digital landscape can be a daunting place for some teachers. To meet the learning needs of 21st century students, it has become a teacher’s responsibility to help and monitor their digital citizenship. This means transforming into a digital teacher, which includes researching technology trends and incorporating them into a student centered curriculum. Using customized Web 2.0 tools such as wikis, Nings or blogs can help flatten the walls of the classroom and connect students to other classrooms or places. This educational network requires close monitoring to ensure that everything is professional and not offensive. If a student violates these rules, the teacher must take appropriate action to address the issue and ensure it doesn’t reoccur. The goal of a collaborative educational network is to help students start to build a digital legacy. By giving them the ability to customize and personalize digital learning environments, they are able to create positive digital footprints that can be used for their future endeavors. The school network can provide an environment where positive digital practices can be modeled.

1) How much freedom should we give students in the school digital environment?

In the article it talks about giving students “admin rights” to customize and personalize digital tools on the network without having to get permission from the IT department. I think giving this freedom to students is valuable, especially because they are always one step ahead technologically, but it comes with a price. This opens up the doors for some students to violate that right and do something offensive or inappropriate. Even with the networks monitored 24/7 and the RSS feed tracking all new content, lines can still be crossed. There needs to be a careful balance as to what the students can access or post on the school network. The most important piece to having a successful flat classroom is to monitor closely and model appropriate digital citizenship.

2) What is the Flat Classroom Project and how can it effectively be used?

The Flat Classroom Project is a network for educators to share ideas for worldwide connections and global collaborative learning. The goal of the projects is to help students become globally minded by interacting with other classrooms through Web 2.0 tools such as wikis and Nings. This project can also provide alternate curricular perspective as ideas and suggestions are shared across the network. This is a valuable resource for teachers to help bring the outside world into their classrooms.