T4c: Evaluate yourself according to the standards of NETS-T 4. Promote and
Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility [c. Promote and model digital etiquette and responsible social interactions related to the use of technology and information].
Self-rated as: Developing
For the NETS-T4c standard, I rated myself as developing because I believe a multitude of information can be misconstrued when communicating through technology. When I am using email, social networking, or even text message, I am careful about what I write and how I write it because none of these allow your voice to be heard. I can have a generally sarcastic tone in my voice at times and when I am speaking this comes across as good-hearted sarcasm. When I write the same words out in email, text, or via social networking, it can come off as rude, impatient, or mean to someone who doesn't know me and can't read my words and hear my voice behind it. To remedy this, I make sure that when I share my feelings via technology I use proper grammar with the occasional inflection of speaking language (ex. abbreviating "gonna" for "going to", using ellipses "..." when my thought trails off, or preceding a thought with "so..."). This allows my voice to be "heard" through electronic means. I will also use type font that can convey what I am meaning (bolding, italicizing, or capitalizing to get my point across). I try not to "flame" people by yelling at them electronically. Plus, WHO WANTS TO READ SOMETHING THAT IS WRITTEN IN ALL CAPS? The one time I will never use anything other than proper grammar is when I am writing a professional communication. I would never send an email to a professor or professional contact that includes those reflections of my personal voice because they can visually come off as unprofessional and lazy. Proper spelling, punctuation, and grammar can make a huge impression on the person who is reading what you have written.
In Your Experience
I can't recall a time where I misinterpreted an email message. I do know of several times where text messages do not make sense to me or I misinterpret the message. Just a short example, a good friend and I were discussing some of the different books we like and our conversation looked something like this:
Friend: Have you read It?
Me: What?
Me: What?
Friend: Have you read It before?
Me: Read what before?
Me: Read what before?
Friend: It! Have you read It before?!
Me: I don't know what book you're talking about!
Friend: Lol, It by Stephen King. Have you read IT before?
Me: Haha, no I haven't read It before.
Me: Haha, no I haven't read It before.
I was so frustrated by not grasping what she was talking about. The vagueness of It (or "it" as I was reading) wasn't letting my brain figure out what she meant. Even though we were discussing books, Stephen King was not part of our conversation at that point so his novel was not my first thought. I kept going through our previous text messages to see what I was missing. My brain didn't register the capital "I".
Section Exploration
I typically use email, Facebook, and now Blogger. I also occasionally comment on news stories. I am very careful with what I put out online and whenever possible, I keep my information and profiles private. Going into teaching I know that students have a tendency to look up their teachers on social networking sites. The last thing I would want is to have them see my profile and think "Oh wow, Mrs. Anderson is really irresponsible." So I make sure my information is locked down and I also make sure what I am putting into the technological sphere doesn't portray me as irresponsible. I take care in disclosing photos and what I write. What I write is a direct reflection of who I am and I do not want that being mistaken for something I am not. I am pleased with my public persona. I keep my information private and when I am not able to keep it private, I keep it professional. When I comment on news stories, I make sure to 1) Use proper grammar, 2) Choose my words carefully, 3) Be sure to sound intelligent and educated - these three are important to how people portray me, as it is who I am as a person.
Reflection
I feel that the two most important outcomes that need to be modeled for students are "Model ethical and legal technology practices" and "Exhibit responsible behavior in social interactions involving technology." Plagiarism and intellectual property theft are two behaviors that can have not only personal effects (such as failing a class) but also legal repercussions if they are discovered. Since the internet is a bottomless pit of information, sometimes what is put out there can be found years later, meaning what you do today may come back to bite you down the road. To model responsibility concerning these behaviors, I would be sure that when I am using documents, photos, or electronic information, I will be sure to find out what the copyright information is and when in doubt, cite where you got it from. Posting online should be considered no different than writing a paper. If there is ever any question of whether or not to cite sources, cite your sources. When it comes to plagiarism, it's always better to be safe than sorry. We need to make sure that our students understand the consequences of their behaviors and that what they put online now might impact their life in the future.
I agree with what Jamie is saying about when we comment on news stories or if our profiles are public, what pictures we post and what we decide to write. I like how she mentions that she checks what she writes and posts before actually posting it. I have had similar experiences with text messages when I am having a conversation with someone and I am confused as to what they are saying or what they are asking. It is very important to maintain a sense of professionalism on the internet, and more so in person.
ReplyDeleteMorgan
Jamie, I know that some people are trying to protect something classical and beautiful. It is challenging in a busy commercial world. Most of People tend to approach things convenient, easy, fashionable, and fun. Such attitude can be found, especially, when using technology tools as the media of communication. Your analysis of digital etiquette is correct and clear. I agree with you and want to sincerely give you a salute. For I am not a native English speaker, when I write, the most important is to prevent any misinterpretation of my written article either by paper or by digital. When I read, my English ability is hard to understand some slang and jokes. I am often confused of subtle differences between similar words. When I read your written articles, I feel comfortable and think you a writer who respects and cares her reader.
ReplyDeleteThis is so true that is why we need to go back and look at our work. I know that I need to do this more. When we use technology for conversations we need to make sure we say eexactly what we mean. This is so we don't have any miss understand each other.
ReplyDeleteThis is so true that is why we need to go back and look at our work. I know that I need to do this more. When we use technology for conversations we need to make sure we say eexactly what we mean. This is so we don't have any miss understand each other.
ReplyDelete