Journal #3 NETS-T 4

Summary: In the article, Students Need a Digital Driver’s License Before They Start Their Engines, the author talked about the importance of students’ online safety through education. Internet safety is very important in today’s society. Students must learn how the dangers of the internet and the causes of cyber bullying, plagiarism, viruses, and internet scams, before they start using the internet at school and at home. In order to protect students and teach safety, the Digital Driver’s License (DDL) came out as a free and easy tool for students and teachers. This program teaches digital citizenship and appropriate ways for students to use and control virtual hand held devices.  In this program, students must take a practice-it portion that gives scenarios and examples to help students understand the topic at hand.  After the student believes they are ready to access their knowledge, they are allowed to take the prove-it portion. This portion tests their knowledge of the 4 modules: 1) Digital access, health, and wellness, 2) Digital commerce, 3) Digital law, rights, and responsibilities, 4) Digital media fluency.  The students will be tested and scored based on their accuracy with the questions.  Teachers and school administration has the ability to see which students scored proficient or not on the test.  Students must first learn how to safely use technology before they are given online-based assignments.

Question: How can I incorporate the DDL program into my teaching curriculum?

Answer: I can incorporate the DDL program into my teaching curriculum by having every student take the exams in order to obtain the Digital Drivers Licenses.  I will have every student pass the exam before they are allowed to use virtual technology.

Question: Why is online safety and education important for students?

Answer: Online safety and education is very important for students because it can help prevent and aid students in protecting them against online danger and promote success.  Students need to know the laws against online cyber bulling, plagiarism, and scams, so that they know the dangers of partaking in these practices. 

Work Cited:
Swan, G., & Park, M. (2012). Students need a digital driver's license before they start their engines. Learning and Leading with technology, 40(5), 26-28. Retrieved from
http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-leading/digitaledition/digital-edition-february-2013