Trevor Sparacio 7/10/2022
EDL 635: Instructional Leadership Dr. Jones
Assignment #1: Technology Issue Blog
It is easy to say that technology has changed the way we socialize, learn, and work. Technology is now becoming a very integral part in our everyday lives as students, and teachers, citizens. As a Seventh grade Civics teacher I stress the importance of being a responsible digital citizen while teaching the seventh grade Civics content.
When I teach the first amendment students always assume that they can say whatever they want in person or online. Every year I have students research and reflect on this question by answering a Document Based Question Essay. Students answer the following prompt “Should Schools Be Allowed to Limit Students Online Speech?” Students use the documents as evidence to support their view. I allow students to use outside information if it is relevant to the essay prompt. Part of the first amendment of the Constitution states that “Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech”.
Today, Cell phones with built in cameras, emails, texting, social media platforms have changes not only how we express ourselves but also how our speech reaches and affects other people. Students read a background essay that brings up the landmark Supreme Court Case of Tinker V. Des Moines. The background essay also stated how the Supreme Court has allowed certain limits on the freedom of speech such as clear and present danger, fighting words, obscenity, conflict with other important interests, time, place, and manner.
Before students analyze and interpret the document, I also state to them that the effects of online speech can spill over into schools. School officials are responsible for maintain an environment in which everyone can learn. They also must protect the safety of all their students. Students can hurt themselves because of serve cyberbullying. Thus, school administrators must punish students for online activity, even if it happens off campus and not during school hours.
Not only do I teach this lesson from a Social Studies standpoint but, I teach this from a Social and Emotional Learning perspective as well. According to Woolf research indicates that teaching Social and Emotional Learning skills such as empathy, respect, gratitude, and other life skills have a positive impact on a large variety of student outcomes such as higher academic performance and improved mental health. As stated, before technology has been increasingly finding a place in the classroom and our daily lives. Many schools are no incorporating digital citizenship programs typically at the middle school and high school level. Teaching students how to apply their Social and Emotional Learning skills within the online platform for the purpose of managing technology. It is important for students to utilizes the SEL skills they learn in person such as empathy, respect, resilience, and self-regulation and transfer these skills to the online setting.
Communication in an online setting identifying and combating cyberbullying, using self-awareness skills, being self-aware, and responsible while developing an online identity. These are examples of how students can apply SEL Skills to enhance their digital wellbeing. Digital Citizenships can also help students reflect on their social media use, the impact of their social and emotional health, and how it influences their different relationships.
Students really enjoy researching and doing this Document Based Question assignment as it makes them reflect on the impacts of how they utilize technology and the long-term effects that I can have and make on their lives. Students not only reinforce Social Studies content that is being taught in the course but, it also reinforces Social and Emotional Learning skills that are taught during SEL. I strongly believe that when SEL is taught with fidelity it will make a better school environment for all students and teachers.
References:
U.S. Constitution – First Amendment – Library of Congress. (n.d.). Retrieved July 10, 2022, from https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-1/
Woolf, N. (2021, October 23). The Pros and cons of technology use in social-emotional learning. Social emotional learning – Inside SEL. Retrieved July 10, 2022, from https://insidesel.com/2021/10/23/the-pros-and-cons-of-technology-use-in-social-emotional-learning/#:~:text=Social-emotional%20learning%20can%20be%20affected%20by%20the%20presence,encourage%20isolation%20can%20be%20detrimental%20to%20social%20education.