Putting the “Smart” in Net Smart

For educators, teaching the concept of being Smart online is crucial. From an early age, students have technology in their hands. Just because they have the technology does not mean that they are using it wisely. This concept is similar to what learners need to expect when they search for information online. Net Smart, How to Thrive Online refers a little more to online presence (although there is a section on crap detection). The book is helpful in that it details the specific forms of participation that exist online. I think that what is more important about this book is the fact that it starts the conversation about online presence, and raises larger questions about online presence in schools. How should students learn about the notion of online presence? How should one conduct oneself online? How can students learn to be safe online? Rheingold suggests that one should find a community online and participate, but educators should structure that experience for students so that they can learn the pros and cons of online presence before being released into the “wild”.

I find that students don’t always know how to conduct themselves online. They generally know how to use their favorite tools (Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat etc.), but they don’t know how to use different tools, and more importantly, don’t comprehend the dangers. In addition to finding bad information, students also need to be aware of belligerent individuals, hackers, scams and illegal activity. They also need to be aware of the fact that nothing online is private. Computers and digital technology were not built with privacy in mind; these tools were built for collaboration. With this in mind, students should be taught to use the collaborative tools while remaining safe online. From there, students can gradually become used to the etiquette associated with the various methods of online content creation. Learning how to be “Net Smart” is also a continual process. I find that I am still learning how to use all of the tools afforded by the Internet. I am interested in learning how to make online learning more of an effective experience. Above all, I have noticed one thread that unifies all of the topics that we have covered. In the digital age, it is necessary to be thoughtful and reflective when using modern technologies. Using any technology (especially the Internet) without thinking about it can lead to unwanted consequences. As educators, we also want our students to be successful with technology so that these skills can follow them to the workplace.