Technology has become such an important part of society today. In order to ensure that the next generation of learners are successful in our economy, it so crucial that they be exposed to technology and digital literacy early in their schooling career. In their book Argument in the Real World, Kristen Turner and Troy Hicks (2017) discuss the fact that students must be mindful of how they use the vast resources that come via technology.
There are key questions that all educators should reflect upon when introducing technological literacy into the classroom. First, we should consider how our students can use tools such as embedded media, hyperlinks, bullet points, and images in order to get the readers’ attention and support their arguments with evidence (Turner & Hicks, 2017. p. 58). Next, Turner and Hicks (2017) go on to discuss the fact that all educators must take the time to teach proper citation rules to their students. As a high school English educator, I recognize how truly important this aspect of digital literacy is. Many students do not fully understand the gravity of plagiarizing someone else’s writing. I feel that as a teacher in the modern classroom, it is my duty to show them the importance of honesty and integrity, especially when using an online format.
Lastly, Turner and Hicks leave us with a few suggestions on how to successfully incorporate technology into your classroom. They suggest that teachers could have students read web based stories on the same topic, but from different sources, critique arguments made by bloggers, news reporters, and website authors, and have the students create their own blog about the topics being discussed in class (Turner & Hicks, 2017. p. 59). I especially want to incorporate having my students create their own blog in my English 11 and English 12 classes. With so many free resources available, it makes it easy to allow students to get creative with their learning.
References
Turner, K.H., & Hicks, T. (2017). Teaching Adolescents to Read and WriteDigital Texts: Arguments in the Real World. Portsmouth: Heinemann.
Taking on Technology with Mrs. Harrison 
My students love to make Google Slide shows. Unfortunately, some of them do not know how to cite the pictures or videos they use. I have started incorporating technology lessons into my science and social studies lessons. Turner and Hicks stated,” Using copyrighted materials and avoiding plagiarism are overlapping and interrelated, especially when thinking about how to have our students find, manage, and cite sources that include text, images, video, and other forms of media”(2017,p.56). When students can successfully cite their materials, the possibilities for great projects and collaborations can take place in the classroom.
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Mary Owen,
Plagiarism might seriously be the death of me in the first grade world. Much time is spent in mentor texts and in teacher-modeled writing, it is hard for students to break away from exactly what they have seen and create something original. However, I know that teaching my students how to break away into original writing guided by the modeled writing is the first step in the long journey of learning how to find sources, utilize sources, and cite the sources properly. This journey is very foundational and it takes effort from all ELA teachers in a student’s career to foster a deep understanding to the importance of crediting sources where credit is due. Like Turner and Hicks (2017) stated, “being able to find and use copyrighted material through a web search is just one step in the process; being able to cite the material properly is a critical digital writing skill” (p. 58).
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Yes, plagiarism is prevalent today in the classroom. There is so much information online theat they forget that credible resources need to have citations. Hicks (2013) advised against using the plagiarism software, he states “that it puts students in a defensive position” (p. 158). Instead he advocates for unique assignments, helping students develop their own opinions and approaches to the topic given.
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