Journal #3 NETS-T 4

Swan, G., &  Park, M. (2012-2013). Students need a digital driver's license before they start their engines. In Gary Swan (Ed.), Learning and Leading with Technology (pp. 26-28). Retrieved from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/201212?pg=5

Summary:  In Gary Swan's and Marty Park's article,  Students Need a Digital Driver's License Before They Start Their Engines, the authors talk about the importance of requiring students to acquire licenses in order to use electronic devices, either personal ones or ones loaned out by the school, so as to ensure responsible use and internet safety.  The idea of schools giving out licenses to students fall into the NETS-T standard for promoting and modeling digital citizenship and responsibility.  The Digital Driver's Licensee project requires students to learn digital etiquette and security, digital access health and wellness, digital commerce, digital laws, rights, and responsibilities, and digital media fluency.  Students are encouraged to study the material and in order to obtain their license they must pass a series of assessments.  When the student is able to pass the exam and receive their Digital Driver's License, the school will know that the respective student knows how to participate in a digital universe civilly and responsibly. I personally think that this is a good idea and it should be implemented in more schools to ensure safe and responsible digital use.  A Digital Drivers License ensures that the student can safely and responsibly use digital devices as well as provide a productive digital atmosphere to promote student learning. 

Question 1:  Could the Digital Drivers License be used as a tool for discipline reward?
        I think so, just like driver's licenses are revoked for bad driving and other forms of misconduct, a Digital Drivers Licensee could be revoked for abuse of school policy or any other violation of school rules. The Digital Driver's License is a good tool to produce good behavior both digitally and in the classroom.

Question 2:  What things could the Digital Driver's License help to avoid in school settings?
        The Digital Driver's License could be effective in preventing cyber bulling between classmates, as well as copyright infringement.  Cyber bullying has become a problem and any effort to stop bullying could positively affect a child's life in the future.  It is also helpful in preventing copyright infringement as well as cheating and plagiarism.