Teachers understand local and global societal issues and responsibilities in an evolving digital culture and exhibit legal and ethical behavior in their professional practices. Teachers:

a. advocate, model, and teach safe, legal, and ethical use of digital information and technology, including respect for copyright, intellectual property, and the appropriate documentation of sources

Learning how to format online resources is a very important activity for today's students. Because online information is so readily available, it's important for them to acknowledge from where they gathered the information and keep them conscious of copyright infringement laws. I expect students to indicate their sources when they research from online websites by showing the website URL when they are younger and then writing resources in MLA format as they grow older. Online citation generators such as Citation Machine are very useful tools to convert information to the correct format.

b. address the diverse needs of all learners by using learner-centered strategies and providing equitable access to appropriate digital tools and resources

Often I must integrate new students that possess a variety of learning skills. Using Aleks as an assessment for math and science guarantees a successful beginning and allows me to develop web sites and tools to meet their needs. Mavis Beacon Keyboarding incorporates audio and text features for students learning keyboarding. Incorporating interactive whiteboards and allowing students to develop their presentation skills provides opportunities for learning-centered strategies.

Reading is a special need addressed at the parochial school where I teach. I work closely with the reading teacher to develop and address appropriate digital tools activities to supplement their progress. Sandcastle Phonics website provides visual and auditory learning at a level where students must use listening strategies when learning to read.

Incorporating fine arts and music into online learning is an ingredient that will allows teachers to reach students of diverse learning styles and needs. This potpourri of activities and resources about bicycling reaches out to several learning capabilities and levels. A scroll downwards demonstrates how many sub-topics one topic can supply.

c. promote and model digital etiquette and responsible social interactions related to the use of technology and information

Students need to learn login and password techniques at an early age. Allowing my third through eighth graders those privileges with Moodle gives them the practice they need. Integrating the Instant Messaging features so they can learn "netiquette" by following an Acceptable Use Policy that is posted on our Moodle site also reinforces expected behavior.

d. develop and model cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with colleagues and students of other cultures using digital-age communication and collaboration tools

CyberFair International website contest brings students together globally to share special events and features of their local communities. My classes have participated in CyberFair for seven years. I witness extreme growth in communication skills, as well as deeper connection students create with the community through this annual website competition. The student entry for 2009, Rock On!, garnered the eighth grade class a Platinum Award in Category 8, Local Music, Art, and Culture, the highest possible award for a category.

Students participating in the CyberFair contest must not only publish an original work, they are also required to assess six websites assigned to them from other categories outside of their entry category. Comprehending the criteria established by CyberFair and applying it to individual projects is a difficult task and requires two weeks of dedicated work. This condensed text version I use to enter the student evaluations digitally at CyberFair's website gives a glimpse into the evaluation process required by the students. Students critique the site after examination and then I submit their findings.

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