Harlingen ISD: La Importancia De La Responsabilidad Digital Aumenta Con El Aprendizaje A Distancia.

Press release from the Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District:

September 28, 2020

These days, a lot of young children can unlock a cell phone and upload their favorite video to YouTube in seconds, while their little fingers scroll the screen with great ease. However, students are not born tech savvy.

Digital responsibility, the appropriate and responsible use of technology is something that must be taught just like other important life skills. HCISD has been teaching digital responsibility for years as the world has become a more digital place. In the midst of this pandemic, the importance of knowing these skills has been increasing since students in our school district began classes remotely this school year.

The definition of digital responsibility has evolved over the years to become more than just a question of online safety; it is a bit broader. Lessons on digital responsibility include topics such as media balance and well-being, privacy and security, digital fingerprints and identity, relationships and communication, cyberbullying, digital drama and hate speech, and understanding news and media. Lessons and topics vary depending on the age of the group.

“It is important for young children to learn about digital responsibility as we live in a digital age,” said Jacqueline Escobedo, a fifth grade teacher at Stuart Place Elementary. “Technology is available to them like never before, and we must prepare and teach them about the responsibilities that come with using technology and the Internet. If we start talking to them about this at an early age, children, from a young age, can be cautious and responsible when they are online ”.

Learning about digital responsibility teaches students to make smarter decisions when using a device or logging on to the Internet. Escobedo shared some of the advice she gives her students.

"We must remember that to be safe we must protect our login data and all our personal information or that of others," Escobedo said. “As digital users, we must also be kind to others and raise our voices to report any cyberbullying. When browsing the Internet, we must be careful as the sites we visit and the comments we post will follow us digitally. It is better to always do the right thing and treat Internet and device use as a privilege. "

This year, HCISD created Video Conferencing Rules and a Digital Responsibility Pledge that students and their parents reviewed, signed, and turned in as part of an activity in the first week of school.

Currently taking distance classes, Escobedo students have been able to learn and practice these skills on a regular basis through the use of online learning platforms.

“When we are in class, students easily manage using two platforms at once, like Zoom and Seesaw,” Escobedo said. “Through Seesaw they have been able to develop their creativity which allows them to express their understanding of the content in different ways. As for Zoom, it has been quite an experience. Who would have thought that young children would learn to log into their virtual classroom and follow the expectations of video conferences? "

Overall, Escobedo was impressed with how quickly students are learning to be better digital users and experts in distance learning.

“During the first weeks of school, my students have gotten a lot of practice on how to navigate and use the device and online platforms we currently use,” he said. “For my first class, we used the chat function for an activity. At first they were hesitant, but gradually they got comfortable with chat, which has been the best feature available for student engagement. The progress we have made in just three weeks with distance learning has been astronomical, and I am very excited to see how far my students' technological ability and comfort will be throughout our school year.

As the world continues to transform into a more digital place, it is important that students continue to learn and practice how to act wisely, safely, responsibly, and with respect when browsing the Internet.

“Our teachers, students and parents are doing an incredible job navigating the digital learning and digital responsibility platforms,” said Stuart Place Elementary School Principal Dawn Burbach. “Even our Pre-K students have already mastered the Zoom Rules. Our teachers and parents are helping to remind students of the expectations of digital responsibility. Our Thunderbirds have already mastered this and are working hard to show us the importance of 'Pride today to success tomorrow.

This press release was produced by the Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District . The views expressed are the author's own.