Journal #3: "Students Need a Digital Driver's License Before They Start Their Engines"

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


(NETS 2)

Summary/Analysis: Children are using technology more and more each day.. At work I always see parents given their iPads or phones to their children as a way of entertainment although I appreciate that because rather than the kids making a mess in the store, they are busy playing games in their parents iPad or iPhone I think that they kids will get attached or even addicted to all these electronic devices.  I am not against children using technology if they are using it the right way. Students Need a Digital Driver’s License before They Start Their Engines brings a perfect solution to this problem. It is the school’s responsibility to teach students the importance of internet safety. One way to this is to provide a course where students learn to recognize and react to certain to situations such as cyber bullying and online plagiarism. The DDL has come up with a way to provide digital citizenship for students. Students would have to take a test, like a driving test. The question in the assessment vary from multiple choice, questions and plagiarism  and based on their score they both get a digital license and will have the privileged to take either an iPad or a laptop home. Some of these cases are directly aimed towards high school students, but DDL is working with other school districts that will create appropriate material for elementary and middle school students.  IN the long run this assessment will not only teach students about technology, but also teach them responsibility. 


Question 1: What is DDL?
Answer 1: Digital Drivers License (DDL) is a upcoming project that is trying to educate and train students to properly use technology. 

Question 2: What if a student takes the DDL assessment and moves schools in the middle of the year?
Answer 2: Students will create their accounts with the schools.  If the student moves to a different school  their transferred to  a different school and or different distinct, they will simply have to update their personal information.