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 * Pages 61-114 in Because Digital Writing Matters **

While Chapter 3, Ecologies for Digital Writing, did not capture my attention so well, Chapter 4, Standards and Assessment for Digital Writing, did in a big way. The need for appropriate digital/technology standards grows with every passing year as students come to rely more and more upon technology. Knowing how to use programs and being comfortable on different platforms is important, but is a small part of what it means to learn and interact in the digital age. The wi-fi generation has the world available to them everywhere they go and at all times. Knowing how to act, interact and protect yourself on-line is now more vital than knowing the pros and cons of windows vs. mac. But how do we make sure students are building the skills necessary to succeed? In this chapter we see a number of approaches to this question.

The Digital Citizenship in Schools, a publication by the International Society for Technology in Education takes the approach of defining good digital citizenship. Communication, literacy and etiquette are all part of the STE’s definition of citizenship. Three “standards” I found the most interesting were Digital Rights and Responsibilities, Digital Health and Wellness, and Digital Security. These guidelines have little to do with nuts and bolts and everything to do with teaching children to navigate the potential perils of the Internet. Growing up surrounded by technology, many children do not have difficulty learning to use new devices and applications. However, learning the ins and outs of on-line safety and how to avoid cyber-bullying are something many teachers and parents do not address.