Journal 8: Navigate the Digital Rapids, NETS V

Davis, V., & Lindsay, J. (2009). Navigate the digital rapids. L&L, 37. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/LLIssues/Volume3720092010/MarchAprilNo6/Navigate_the_Digital_Rapids.htm#flat

This is a great article! I read Thomas Friedman’s book, The World is Flat a couple years ago for a history class. The book was filled with possible statistics of the future of education and the United States’ role in the global economy. The outlook was grim. I am happy to see that someone is taking these predictions seriously. Navigate the Digital Rapids, by Julie Lindsay and Vicki Davis discuss solutions to possible obstacles about educating a new generation of students and teachers. The article promotes the idea of digital citizenry where a transformation of “stagnant” curricula can easily be “navigated” once fear is overcome. The author’s offer tips to consider and what to avoid while making you a digital teacher. The tips are how to customize the learning environment, how to monitor and be engaged, how to have a plan, how to overcome the fear factor, how to deal with objections, how to put the learning in the hands of the students, and straying off topic once in a while is ok, too. The article also goes into detail about the current Flat Classroom Projects and has several links in the article to learn more about projects such as Net Generation Education, Digiteen, Digiparent, and Eracism.
1. How do I see myself implementing this in my classroom? In my second grade classroom we can be the next creators of Digikids!
2. What are the advantages of using this media? The advantages are that small learners will be empowered knowing that when we say they are the future, we mean it. As a future educator and a future digital teacher, I see the value in encompassing a worldwide canvas to exchange ideas in pursuit of extinguishing local problems such as racism in the community and global issues such as hunger.