Technology Pledge

True confession of a teacher... I've never been a huge fan of the first week of school. Before relationships and routines exist, the ratio of teacher to student talk time can be exhausting for both parties involved, not to mention the stress of learning over sixty student names. Great news is, you survived the first couple weeks and now it is time to get into the really fun stuff!

Have you thought about how you will introduce technology to your students this year? I used to think that an effective introduction of technology involved me telling the students everything I knew about what was right and wrong when it came to appropriate technology use. However, this approach only contributes to the tragic teacher to student talking ratio, and doesn't allow for the students to take long-term ownership of the actions and decisions they make. 

While protecting the safety of devices is important, in my opinion it is most important that we protect our students; their social and emotional well being, their identities, and their integrity. This is no easy task, but it certainly is something we owe our 21st Century learners as they prepare for lives and careers that will require the constant use of technology. 

I use a technology pledge to open up dialogue with my students. You can have this prepared ahead of time, or even more powerful, you can generate one with your students.

Device Safety

Initially, the students should know expectations about how to safely handle and manage technology. Rather than telling students the "whats" and "whys", try allowing them to brainstorm these through open dialogue. Ultimately, you want them to realize that assigning devices builds accountability and protects them.  Collection and distribution norms are in place to make sure that the device does not get harmed and is charged and ready to go for them every day! 

Be an Upstanding Digital Citizen

This is a topic that requires ongoing dialogue, but essentially boils down to the fact that sometimes it can be challenging to keep our moral compass pointed in the right direction and this can have a negative impact on others. This challenge is only amplified when we are communicating online, since there is a feeling of anonymity that comes from being behind a keyboard (as opposed to face-to-face interactions). Cyberbullying and trolling are not topics that should be avoided, but rather topics that need to be addressed as the realities of the times we are living in. This Brainpop video can be used to open up conversation on how "real world" rules apply online too.

Digital Footprint

From the time kids are born now, their digital footprint begins to build. Parents use social media and online photo sharing for baby pictures, and eventually kids begin using social media and other means of online communication. Suddenly, every interaction becomes a piece of their online history. It is important for students to understand that what they do online reflects on them, and that they should always think before they post.  The following video is one of my favorites to get discussion rolling with middle schoolers on the importance of maintaining a positive digital footprint. 

In a Perfect World

In a perfect world, having these real conversations with our students would prevent every possible misbehavior from occurring. Let's be honest though, none of us chose a career as middle school teachers expecting the world to be perfect. However, I do believe that most of us chose this challenge to help move the world in this direction and therefore we are up for the challenge of helping our students become positive, contributing members of society both in "real life" and in establishing their digital presence. 

When misbehaviors with technology occur it can be very tempting to grab the device away and say, "No more tech for you!" The reality is, we don't walk around confiscating textbooks every day when students misbehave, so confiscating devices isn't always the most logical consequence. A more powerful approach is to teach the desired behavior. One possible resource to use is Ignition, which is targeted at middle school and provides online modules on topics such as cyberbullying, conducting online research, and maintaining a secure identity. Be sure to check out this Youtube playlist of quick tips for keeping safe online. Common Sense Media also provides fantastic resources on digital citizenship. 

"Technology will never replace great teachers, but technology in the hands of a great teacher can be transformational."

-George Couros