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=Welcome to Digital Tools in Education= Annemarie Stoeckel Supervisor of Technology & Library Media South Plainfield Public Schools Email: annemarie.stoeckel@gmail.com Twitter:@astoeckel

Getting Started

 * What are Digital Tools?**

Digital Tools enable students to learn through communication and collaboration by taking advantage of the Internet, or more specifically, Web 2.0. Web 2.0, as opposed to Web 1.0, is considered the Read/Write Web. When teachers first started using the Internet, there was no capability to contribute to the development of the Internet. With the introduction of such tools as web logs, or blogs as they're commonly known, students and teachers began to have a voice on the Internet. As the number of digital tools increases so does our ability to afford our students the choice to use the tools that enable them to express themselves in meaningful and engaging ways.


 * Using Digital Tools and the Law: COPPA**

Whenever you are using digital tools with students, it is important to be aware that there are laws regarding collection of student information. The law as it applies here is COPPA or the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act. Most websites collect some personal information such as name, age, or email address when you register for an account. Children under the age of 13 may not register on a website without "verifiable parental consent." If you check the privacy page of most websites, they will let you know whether or not they are COPPA compliant. This is the reason that children under the age of 13 cannot have a Facebook account. For more information on COPPA, follow this link:

COPPA


 * When to Use Digital Tools**

Digital tools, or any technology for that matter, should not be used just for the sake of using them. There needs to be an educational purpose with a focus on the student-centered learning experience. When used correctly, digital tools can transform learning and teaching in the classroom. These tools are the windows to the world and your students become a part of that world. They are active participants with a voice and a means to express themselves in engaging ways. Engagement is a necessary component for learning and being able to problem solve.


 * What Do We Mean By "21st Century Learner"?**

Being a 21st century learner does not mean someone who uses technology to learn. It's not about the technology at all. Being a 21st century learner refers to a learner who is able to adapt to his/her environment. 21st century learning is about giving students options and having them make decisions about their learning. It's taking the responsibility away from the teacher and putting it on the learner. Gone are the days where we can teach a concept and feel that our students are prepared for the future. Change happens - and much more rapidly than when we were growing up. Our students need to know how to learn and then relearn. They need to know how to make choices and decisions and then make new choices and decisions. We are trying to prepare our students for a world that doesn't exist yet.

=**//"If we teach today's students as we taught yesterdays, we rob them of tomorrow." ~John Dewey //**=

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 * Where to Get Help**

As a teacher, it's sometimes difficult to know where to look for digital resources on the Internet. One way to get started is to develop a PLN or Personal Learning Network. By networking, you'll not only save valuable time, but you'll reap the benefits of sharing and connecting with other educators. Teachers can join online networks, such as Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook. There are also Nings that can be used for networking such as Classroom 2.0 and The Educator's PLN. If you prefer to network face to face, edcamps have become popular in the past three years. The first edcamp took place in Philadelphia in 2010. Because of the power of online networking, it went viral in a very short time and now you can find them around the world. To find out more about edcamps, use this link: edcamp or watch the video:

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