Digital Citizenship: The New Consequences for Inappropriate Use

Learn more about SAMR

Remember the good old days of inappropriate use of the internet? The teacher would just take away the student's "privilege" of using a computer and give them paper instead. Those were the days when many educators using computers were just in the first stage of SAMR. Technology served as a "substitute" and provided no functional change.

The good old days weren't really so good

Fast forward to today and many administrators and educators realize those good old days really weren't so good after all. Today, technology, is not a privilege. Equitable access to technology is a right. It allows students to do work that is real, relevant, and authentic in ways that are not possible or even conceivable without it. The introduction of technology is no longer an enhancement of what paper can do, it transforms what students can do. Additionally, technology makes learning accessible and inclusive for all students including those with disabilities and who aren't fluent in the language.  

New consequences for inappropriate use

At the Tech & Learning Leadership Summit that took place December 2019, leaders in technology and education discussed the new consequences for inappropriate use.  Here were some ideas shared.

Step 1: Lock down the filtering 
Step 2: Only open it up after students have: 

• Completed an online course in digital citizenship 
• Met with the guidance counselor to address the issue 
• Discussed the issue with their family and school staff

This strategy doesn't focus on punishment. It focuses on helping the student learn and grow.

Your turn

How does your school or district handle inappropriate use? Have you tried the ideas mentioned above? Others? What's worked? What hasn't?