Standard IV 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.
- 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
- Address the diverse needs of all learners by using learner-centered strategies providing equitable access to appropriate digital tools and resources
- Promote and model digital etiquette and responsible social interactions related to the use of technology and information
- Develop and model cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with colleagues and students of other cultures using digital age communication and collaboration tools
Reflection
The standard requires teachers to show the digital citizenship and responsibility in the digital world. Respect for the diversity of culture and others’ copyrights is the digital etiquette and responsibility for a user in the digital age.
The first artifact I selected for the standard is the design of eight images for piZap tutorial. The eight images were selected in different locations. They are all bridges images of different shapes. I wanted to use them for the example of collage function of piZap. When I used them, I gave the resources of them. When I applied them in the tutorial, I revised them. I also described the revision process. It can help respect others’ copyrights. In the design of the eight images, I used a tool named Pixlr. It is a tool for graphics design. However, it is easier and more convenient for users to learn. Designing the images, I firstly searched in the Internet for the original images and gave the resources of them. Then I used Pixlr to add texts and some effects on the images. In the process of design the images, I learnt to be aware of others’ copyright and take responsibility of designing our own products.
The second artifact I selected is the paper of Levels of Learners’ Involvement in Online Learning. With the development and wide application of online learning in many courses, it seems to give more freedom to learners rather than learning in a classroom. However, learners’ involvement is the key factor of effectiveness of online learning. The levels of learners’ involvement in online learning imply learners’ different levels of interaction with media, learning materials, peers, instructors and themselves. The paper discussed different learning theories to support different levels and proposed strategies to promote learners to achieve the highest level to be fully involved in online learning. The artifact shows promoting responsibility for a learner to learn online courses. As teachers, we should realize the different levels for each student, and use learner-centered strategies to help them achieve the highest level. The paper is for instructor to seek strategies to promote students self-involvement. For students, they will realize the true online learning is not just to complete the assignments, but also to be responsible for the learning process and realize the learning achievement reflected in their future performance.
The third artifact I selected is the project of a newsletter for Nanjing Sightseeing Guide. It was designed by Adobe Indesign. The content of the newsletter is the introduction of Nanjing Sightseeing. Six scenic spots were introduced by texts and images. The selection of the content is to promote cultural understanding using the digital newsletter. The project shows the different historic culture for students in the US. It can help students develop cultural understanding and motivate their curiosity for different culture and history. When I designed the newsletter, I used many images. I also gave the original resources for the images. Although images for advertisement may be free for usage, I also respect the copyright. The artifact meets the standard of promoting citizenship and responsibility. When I designed the newsletter, I have mastered the basic design principles and skills of Adobe Indesign and tried to follow the principles and within the permission of the copyright to show different cultural understanding.
Future learning goals
In digital age, the free tools and materials are more and more in the Internet. Many users can download the materials for their own usages. However, the copyright is vital. As teachers, we should show students our respect for others’ copyrights. We need to model our understanding for cultural differences and protect and respect others’ fruits of labor. I will learn more principles and rules for digital design and usages of materials. I will also instruct my students to realize the importance of respect for copyright. With the help of technology for communication, we can easily know and learn more other nations’ culture or history. I will develop more learning materials for others about my own country’s history and culture.
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