Thefutureofeducation.com. (2014, January 16). Julie Lindsay & Vicki Davis on “Flattening Classrooms. [Video
File]. Retrieved April 12, 2017, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVZuwIhjQvA As I reflected on Julie Lindsay & Vicki Davis on "Flattening Classrooms", I saw the theme of respect and integrity in using technology. Vicki's projects where students collaborate with other students around the world are impressive. I can't claim to be even close to her in the use of technology, but I do share her interest in teaching students to be respectful and ethical in all that they do. I have to small examples of things I do with my students that demonstrate this. I started using what I would call a motto in my classroom with my students. The motto is, "above all else, maintain your integrity." I say it a lot and my students know that I care about it. I say it before they work with those they might not have much experience with (when I do not allow them to choose their group members). I say it before they take a quiz or test as a reason for not being tempted to cheat. I say it before student presentations to remind them what an important role being an audience to their peers is. Another small example of something I've implemented is part of a fun lesson I do in my Earth science classes. I like to remind students how the scientific process works by trying to convince them that the Earth is flat. I provide evidence for why they should believe it, some of which is ridiculous. After they view my presentation, I ask the students to choose one piece of evidence to counter. They can do some research of their own and argue using logic and diagrams. While they counter my evidence and supply their own, I remind them that even though my interpretation of facts may be worthy of ridicule, that I am not. I ask that they always remember to attack ideas and not those who hold them. Sometimes I will sample discussion threads in the "Flat Earth vs Round Earth" Facebook group and ask students to read it. I ask students to identify examples of criticism that is useful and respectful and that which is divisive and rude. This is very important to me as civil discussion is a cornerstone of our democracy and our system of education. A logical next step for me might be to partner my classes with students in other classes or schools to carry out a scientific debate. I could ask the classes to defend opposing theories for a phenomenon. This would be an authentic way to maintain integrity in a digital forum, asking students to carry out a debate where ideas are attacked and not people. Gardner states that respect for other should permeate our lives (2007). As teachers we spend more time with a child than they will spend with their own parents, and this makes it even more crucial for teachers to help students develop a respectful mind. Reference Gardner, Howard. (2007). Five Minds for the Future. Boston, Massachusetts: Harvard Business School Press.
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