Digital Citizenship to Support Work Study Tutors and Future Classroom Educators
Background Information:
The Pathways office in the Pre-College Institute at San Diego State University supports work study and volunteer students who tutor in 18 different partner schools across San Diego County. Many of our tutors are pre-service teacher licensure candidates. After interviewing Nadia Rohlinger, The Pathways Program Coordinator, together we were able to evaluate what areas of our program can be supported by a deeper focus on Digital Literacy. The process of talking about our program needs through the lens of the ITSE Coaching Standard 5 (Digital Citizenship) and Mike Ribble’s Nine Themes of Digital Citizenship we were able to identify key areas of potential growth that will aid in the goals we have for program growth.
ReportingReflection
The visual representation of the report is created using Stormboard. This web based brainstorming and reporting tool supports remote and accessible collaboration. Together or separately, we are able to organize and revise our thinking about the projects for the Pathways Office. By utilizing tools like Stormboard, we are promoting Ribble’s first element of Digital Access for our students and fellow team members. In the future we could provide our students with training on how to use the digital learning tools (Digital Literacy) we use to prepare our student tutors for the professional world they are beginning to interact in as emerging professionals and educators. Through the use of technologies like Stormboard, we are modeling healthy Digital Communication.
Program Changes
The Digital Readiness project spurred two immediate program changes for the Pathways Office. We will now use an online Google Form to observe our tutors. This will promote equitable communication with all SDSU leaders and allow for quick feedback with tutors and classroom cooperating teachers. Building on the digital collaboration online observations provide lead us to develop a online option for evaluations of our tutors by the classroom teachers they work with. Our current paper form will still be an option, but this added choice to evaluate tutors using the online tool gives teachers the freedom to communicate praise and opportunities for growth as they arise. By giving teachers the opportunity to address issues early in the semester we add value and accountability to our partner schools. We will communicate this option in a welcome email that will allow for equitable access and tracking of evaluations. The evaluation systems connects to ISTE Coaching Standard 5.a/5.b.When we address small problems in the beginning we are often able to find a solution that works for all parties. If we let little concerns slide, they often become a large problem that could end badly for some or all involved. Attention to the digital citizenship standards anchors our work in equitable access and practice.
Future Projects
At San Diego State University we use Blackboard to support the digital learning both in hybrid classes and online learning coursework. After sharing the report findings with my Program Coordinator I started attending the Blackboard User Group meetings to support our team within the goals of SDSU around Universal Design for Learning (UDL).Within the Pre- College Institute, conversations around new course offerings have continued to evolve because of this interview; I anticipate a future class offered to first year and transfer students will use the Blackboard system to intentionally meet the needs of our learners.
As we discover and evaluate how we are going to grow the Pathways Office within the SDSU system we can use findings from the interview to refine and communicate what we do on a daily basis to support our students and community. Ribble’s nine elements of digital literacy apply to our program growth. #1- Digital Access, #3 – Digital Communication, #4 – Digital Etiquette, #7Digital Rights and Responsibility, and # 9- Digital Security align with our findings and next steps in clear ways.
This new job has presented many opportunities to grow as an educator. I am excited to utilize the learning from the DEL program to grow the already amazing program that impacts so many layers of education across San Diego. Working with a leader who wants to grow and is comfortable with brainstorming sessions is a true gift. I look forward to using the report to grow in ways that make sense and support desired growth.
