Taking TPACK for a Spin

Spin the Wheel

In this assignment we had to spin a digital wheel and use the tools we were given to complete a task.  My trusty 3 year old assistant Hadley took a turn at the wheel for me and we ended up with toilet paper.  Our task was to use our tool to carry an egg across the room.

The Challenge

I feel like I lucked out in this challenge even though there may have been more suitable items to complete this task as you will see in the video the toilet paper worked, especially when doubled.  

Spinning it to the classroom

So here is what I think we can learn from this assignment and apply to the classroom:

1. It is important to select the right tools for the assignment.  We have talked about how we should not choice technology just because, but rather choice our activity and then find the technology tool that works for that activity.  This will help us enhance learning and achievement.  
2. When life gives you lemons make lemonade.  Sometimes in life you don't always have what you need, it is important to be able to adjust and think outside the box.  This also applies to the students we may have.  All students are going to think and learn differently, and how I may best use a tool may completely different then how someone else learns or uses a tool.  Adapt, grow, change.
3. Take a spin with TPACK all the tools are there to create the perfect learning environment.  

Go spin the wheel and see what your students can create!

Digital Citizenship

Citizenship and Digital Citizenship so what's the difference?

When I think about citizenship in the traditional sense thoughts of democracy, being a part of a community, having rights, pride for your fellow man and country, and freedom come to mine.  Citizenship may mean different things to different people depending on what part of the world they live in.

Unlike the traditional sense of citizenship, digital citizenship can cross from country to country and should have a standard no matter where you live in the world.  Since technology allows for us to connect with people near and far we need these standards to help guide us when interacting in the digital world.  Digital citizenship allows for responsible technology use, and this is very important because in a technological world once you hit the keys your words are out there for the world to see and there is no taking it back.  

We have to be responsible and respectable digital citizens.

So how do we relay this to our students.  I think this is hard students today have grown up with technology, they were given devices as toddlers and may know how to use most technology better than people in their 40's and 50's.  It is hard for them to understand that what they do online from the beginning will carry with them the rest of their lives.  Let's be honest it is a good thing we didn't have technology like this when we were kids!  We have to teach them that no matter how many times they hit the delete key once something is published to the world it is stamped forever into there digital identity.  This is a hard lesson to learn as a young adult.  As educators we have to A. be a good role model and demonstrate appropriate digital citizenship through our actions, B. use others mistakes as examples so that they don't make the same ones, and C. hope that they understand the magnitude of how much weight our words can carry even from millions of miles away.  

As educators we must mirror being a good citizen in the traditional setting and the digital one.  We must know what resources are out there to help govern digital citizenship, and use those to our advantage as protection for us and our students.

For more information follow the link to learn about themes of digital citizenship and age appropriate incorporation:

Nine Elements of Digital Citizenship

We all must take steps to protect our digital citizenship.  We must begin teaching digital citizenship early and often.  Will you take the steps to become a Super Digital Citizen?

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/videos/super-digital-citizen#

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