4.  Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility

    Teachers understand local and global societal issues and responsibilities in an evolving digital culture and exhibit legal and ethical behavior in their professional practices.

Teachers:

    a. advocate, model, and teach safe, legal, and ethical use of digital information and technology, including respect for copyright, intellectual property, and the appropriate documentation of sources.

Throughout my class website, there are images of ladybugs. Since these images were not mine, I credited the photographer under each photograph. In this way, I have modeled using photographs ethically and legally for my site. Additionally, at the end of my Mexio WebQuest, I have provided a page of credits. This shows my students that each photograph was credited to the proper person.

    b. address the diverse needs of all learners by using learner-centered strategies providing equitable access to appropriate digital tools and resources.

My class website has a link to a curriculum page, which was designed for the students. This page has links to a variety of activities for all learners. Students can choose activites based on their learning needs. This page can be accessed from our school technology lab, the classroom, and even from the students' homes.

During my coursework, I learned about the various ways that technology can be used to assist those students with special needs. In one course,Technology Leadership in Schools, I worked with colleagues to determine ways to use technology to support learners with disabilities in the areas of reading and writing. We created a wiki to share our research and ideas on ways to support students with disabilities using technology.

    c.promote and model digital etiquette and responsible social interactions related to the use of technology and information.

Students participated in a cultural wiki, Cooking Around the World. When beginning this project internet safety and responsibility was discussed. We also started a class blog about fourth grade life. This blog was not updated regularly, but it is something that will become a part of my instruction in the future. When students realized that we could add information, and that it would be seen by others, they were very excited. I explained to the students and parents that we would be using these oppportunities, however, specific rules would be in place.

• Students may provide first names, but never last names on posts
• If pictures are posted, only first names will be used.
• If commenting on another person's blog or website, comments must be appropriate and positive

    d. develop and model cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with colleagues and students of other cultures using digital-age communication and collaboration tools..

This year, I have used my class website to communicate with my students and their parents. Parents reported that using the website has made them feel more a part of their child's experiences. The Ladybug Chronicles, a monthly to bi-monthly newsletter, allows students to share what is happening in our school with their families and the world.

Students participated in a cultural wiki, Cooking Around the World. Students participated in this project with students from other states across the country. This gave the students the opportunity to share their cultural experiences, while learning about other students' experiences.