“Hyper-connectivity, the spread of social media and the increase in online personal information are key factors which will influence identity in the next decade.”
The pen is technology, the plane and the computer. So too, the smartphone, iPad and smart watch. They are tools created by humans to make life easier, to learn and to play. This is an age in which technology is becoming ubiquitous, merging not only into the metaphorical fabric of our lives, but also our physical beings. We use smartphones, smart watches, GPS and new forms of technology such as augmented reality. We 3D print limbs and, soon, functioning organs. Humans connect, collaborate and communicate on globally flattened social platforms. We have information at our fingertips which leaves our brains free from memorizing facts and able to think in new, creative and innovative ways.
The human landscape has changed.
Our digital and away from keyboard (AFK) selves are merging. Media such as print, advertising, broadcast, mass, and news are able to be hosted on a variety of devices which have intractability that is powerful and far reaching. It is clear the digital age is already here. As such, it is impossible to “ban the future”. We choose empowerment rather than censorship. How many evil words were written with the pen? How many bombs dropped with planes? It is not the device or technologies, but the human choices behind them.
Digital media is inherently no different from other forms of media. Furthermore, this multimedia macro landscape is constantly in flux. Any related policies, procedures, philosophies and guidelines related to media must thus be in a similar state of constant evolution.
As this evolution is rapidly taking place, the role of the teacher is brought into question. Our responsibility is not to use all the tools our students do, or to be on all forms of social media. Our responsibility is to conceptually shift our understanding of media and technology. We choose to play, explore, experiment and model a positive narrative about technology. Moreover, we choose to model acceptable failure as part of the learning landscape.
Back to those human choices. If we want learners to make positive choices we must underpin our media philosophy with the learner profile. We seek to shift beyond learning to becoming and from ‘digital’ citizenship to citizenship.
Further, we propose flipping the script from the negative language of “don’ts” found in many ‘Acceptable User Policies’ to a positive character-rich philosophy.
Using Dr. Scott McLeod’s proposal for an Empowered Use Policy as a scaffold we have created a 4 point reminder for our NIST learning community.
NIST Media Use Philosophy
- Be empowered. Do awesome things. Share with us your ideas and what you can do. Amaze us.
- Be respectful. Help foster a school community that is principled and caring.
- Be smart and be safe. If you are uncertain, talk with us.
- Be careful and gentle. Our resources are limited. Help us take care of our devices and networks.
Want to learn more about flipping the negative script of technology and empowering youth with the tools we provide them? Watch Dr. McLeod at TEDx…