Teaching Kids to Code

One of the new 21st Century skills that is being highlighted by many technology blog posts is about the importance of know how to code for all future employees.

Coding is about programming computers or mobile devices or put simply, creating Apps. Many organizations have specially designed Apps tailored to their organization's needs. Students who learn to code will be developing creativity, problem solving as well as collaboration and communication skills.

Below is a technology in education blog post with names of Apps which teach coding.

Try it out with your child!  7 Apps to Teach Children Coding

Another recent article in, iPad 4 Schools blog, is called "Kids Must Code on iPad". (click here) Coding is being touted as an important 21st century skill.

Thinking about Digital Citizenship: "The Grandma Rule"

Thinking About Digital Citizenship   (click on the title to go to the Blog, iPads 4 Schools to see the article)

I recently came across a blog about digital citizenship which mentioned THE GRANDMA RULE. Of course, I was intrigued.

The Grandma Rule is simply this: "If it isn't something you would say or show to your grandmother then don't put it online!" 

There is such a thing as a digital footprint. Some call it a tattoo because of it's permanency. It will always be there, even after you are gone. Your online reputation follows you where ever you go and this online world is a bigger place than we could ever understand.

Once the text or picture or video post has been put online, you can never take it back. Like toothpaste when it's squeezed from a tube. Once it's out , it can't be taken back.

permanency
reputation
digital tattoo

Think before you post.

These constant reminders to our children, are how we can teach them the importance of their words and actions. It starts in person, face-to-face contact and continues when they are online.

ICT Strands and Digital Citizenship Pledge

The ICT Strands are categories which show the purpose of using devices for learning.

Digital Citizenship Pledges are promises which all students at RIS will agree to when using their devices online.

When students bring their devices to school , they bring it to use as a tool for learning. There are many ways we use devices to help us learn. The students have spent some time in class thinking about this and sharing their knowledge about ways in which devices help us learn. 

After understanding the purpose of having devices in school, they also learn that it is a privilege to have deices in school.  With privilege comes responsibility. Therefore, all students who use devices online need to know, understand and agree to the Digital Citizenship Pledge. This pledge came from Common Sense Media website (link is on the left side of the blog). 

Prior to agreeing to the Digital Citizenship Pledge, students will know what each statement; LOOKS LIKE, SOUNDS LIKE AND FEELS LIKE. In this way, they will be able to follow the pledge and help each other to follow it as well.

Digital Life and Our Connected Culture

Our Connected Culture

As educators and parents, we need to embrace the digital world because our children are part of a connected culture. This has lots of positive outcomes and also some dangerous ones.

Watch the video in the above link to gain a better understanding how parents can be involved in the connected culture their kids are participating in.

Please note: the video can be accessed by hovering the cursor over the title, Our Connected Culture

Catching Up With Our Kids

How Much Our Kids Love Digital Devices

Above is a link to a recent Huffington Post article about the growth of device use among children in the last 2 years.

As we see the use of mobile devices grow, our children are becoming more and more tech-savvy and as their guardians, teachers and parents, it is our responsibility to keep up with them. Part of our job is to engage in discussions with our children about what they are doing when they are using their devices. Ask them to show you and teach you what they have learned. You will be amazed at their knowledge! Let them be your guide as you both explore the wonders of the digital world on the internet. It's a place of many possibilities as well as dangers. Help guide your child to be a responsible digital citizen.

At our school, we are beginning this journey with digital citizenship pledges.

1. Communicate responsibly and kindly with one another
2. Protect our own and other's private information online
3. Stand up to cyber bullying
4. Respect each other's ideas and opinions
5. Give proper credit when we use other's work.

We have also shown the children this video from Common Sense Media website (the web address link is on the sidebar) which reminds the children of their responsibility to Stop and Think before they post anything online.

Please watch it with your children and begin a discussion about responsible behavior online. (click on the live link to the video below)

Pause and Think Online