The Good With the Bad

There are a few ethical issues surrounding web-based digital collaboration in schools.  I see this as an especially sensitive issue in elementary schools - where young children are often unaware of the consequences of their actions.  The "Amazing Mind Reader Reveals His Gift" video reminds me that "Big Brother" really is watching us. Young kids - between 5 and 10 - at elementary schools are already creating that digital tattoo.  It has already been a concern among parents that their child(ren) is creating that digital footprint.  We have had an instance in which a parent has declined a 1:1 device at our school for this very reason.  This one family did not want either of their children creating content on the web that might later limit their future options.  Once content is out on the web, it is out there.  The concern is that younger students may make mistakes or use poor judgment as they are learning to use a digital device.  Is it right for that concent to follow a child for the rest of their life?  Could that error in judgment at a young age come back to haunt a child somewhere down the road when a prospective employer searches his or her name on Google?  That digital tattoo follows them forever. 

While we try to teach students about digital citizenship, that is a long and on-going process.  Let's face it, based on the comments or posts I see online, there are some adults that need a refresher course in digital citizenship.  While this is a concern, we need to overcome that concern.  The reality is that today's students are going to have the jobs of the future which will require them to collaborate with others virtually.  It is imperative that they learn the skills they need to be able to do just that.  Learning to do their fair share of the job in a timely manner, being responsible for responding to tasks, and being respectful in providing feedback and suggestions are all part of daily life in the digital age that we live in.

Other students may display a lack of respect for the work of others.  Another issue we have run into at the elementary school, is students altering the work of classmates on a collaborative assignment.  I have had students erase or "revise" the work of others while working on a collaborative assignment.  Students may think it is funny or a joke, but other students become very upset thinking their hard work is gone.  Luckily, using Google's revision history, we were able to restore the work that was altered.  But this is an ethical issue.  Should students who have displayed poor judgment in a case such as this continue to be allowed to use the technology?  Technology is a powerful tool.  Giving young kids such a powerful tool is a huge responsibility.  We need to impress upon them just how big a responsibility it is, and we need to teach them to use the tools for good.