Elementary Teacher Applications

Follow school board policies while engaging in online activities

and be an advocate for change in policy.

There continues to be a lot of difficult conversations taking place

in schools surrounding social media. While I understand the

default solution for individuals who have any formal legal

training is to deny access to these resources and/or to create

policies that prohibit students and teachers from interacting on

these platforms, I disagree strongly with these decisions

because they inhibit learning.

Larkin (2013)http://edtechteacher.org/blog/2013/06/the-social-media-dilemma-facing-schools-from-patrick/

Elementary Applications

"As elementary level teachers, we are charged not just with

teaching academics, but teaching social skills as well."

Hertz (2011)http://www.edutopia.org/blog/digital-citizenship-mary-beth-hertz

"Youth need guidance in online as much as offline expression

and sociality."

Collier (2010)http://www.netfamilynews.org/ostwg-report-why-a-living-internet

Elementary

• Elementary students are developing emotional maturity

which is why Internet privacy can be difficult.

• Students use the Internet in seclusion, however when they

post their information it goes out to everybody.

• Elementary students might not understand that technology is

continually changing.

• The Golden Rule: Digital activity is public and permanent

Obstacles in Understanding

• Focus on teaching appropriate values, beliefs, attitudes and

positive decision making

• Teach privacy awareness and not just prevention

• Inform students of privacy settings, but focus on teaching

students to think before they post

• Use the Think rule:T: is it True

H: is it Helpful

I: does it Inspire confidence

N: is it Necessary

K: is it Kind

What Should We Do First?

• Social media is continually expanding

• Guide students in navigating their way through this new

and challenging environment.

• Banning social media from classrooms is not an option

• Holland (2013) gives three key reasons for the

importance of social media in elementary classrooms in

which the students

o extend beyond the four walls of the classroom

o connected, empowered learners

o start to develop their online voiceo http://www.edutopia.org/blog/introducing-social-media-lower-elementary-beth-holland

Why We Need to Teach

As elementary teachers it can be difficult to understand and

follow all the privacy rules and guidelines. In the link

below you will find Web 2.0 tools that can be used for

students under the age of 13.

Web 2.0 for the Under 13s crowd

Web 2.0 Tools for the Classroom

Division 2: Foundational Operational, Knowledge and Concept

Alberta ICT Learning

Outcomes Continued

General Outcomes Specific Outcomes

Students will demonstrate a moral and ethical

approach to the use of technology•recognize and acknowledge the ownership of

electronic material

•use appropriate communication etiquette

Division 1: Foundational Operational, Knowledge and Concept

General Outcomes Specific Outcomes

Students will understand the role of technology as it

applies to self, work and society. •identify how technological developments influence

one's life

•asses the personal significance of having limitless

access to information provided by communication

networks, such as the internet

Students will demonstrate a moral and ethical approach to the

use of technology.

• comply with the acceptable use policy of the school

and school authority for Internet and networked

services, including software licensing agreements

• use appropriate communication language and etiquette

• respect the privacy and products of other

• use electronic networks in an ethical manner