Digital Community, Digital Citizen [Paperback]

Jason B. Ohler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 31, 2010 | ISBN-10: 1412971446 | ISBN-13: 978-1412971447

Best-selling author and educator Jason Ohler addresses how today’s globally connected infosphere has broadened the definition of citizenship and its impact on educators, students, and parents.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“From Plato to 'Leave it to Beaver,' Jason Ohler sets our current struggles with digital citizenship in the context of humanity's ongoing quest for developing good, productive, responsible citizens." (Joe Brennan, Instructor, Discovery Education )

“Jason Ohler excels at showing how digital connections are affecting almost every aspect of school life. This is an important read for anyone wanting to understand technology’s impact on education.”

(Will Richardson, Author of Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms )

“This dynamite book will be very helpful for educators who face the challenge of rapid accommodation in this new world.” (Nancy Willard, Executive Director )

“Jason Ohler explores the tensions that evolve as technology shakes the foundations of our moral, social, political, and philosophical perspectives. A great read.” (Scott Christian, Director of Academic Technology )

"With balance and great insight, Ohler explores how Digital Citizenship is a part of our day-to-day lives: providing concrete examples, anecdotes and activities in support of the readers’ understanding of how this impacts their lives." (John Mikton, Director of Information Technology )

"This book provides an in-depth analysis of how the internet and technology affect the very nature of learning, relationships, and schooling. This is a book that every teacher and school administrator should read to understand the full impact and significance of technology in education." (Greg Kearsley, Director of Graduate Studies in Education )

"Digital citizenship is an important area of study. This text helps educators at all levels to understand not only the history, but also the future of technology and our society, and technology and our schools." (Jill Gildea, Superintendent )

"This book is a 'must read' for anyone who educates children and youth in the 21^st century. The digital aspects of global citizenship are clearly set forth with numerous thought-provoking examples and questions." (Karen L. Tichy, Associate Superintendent for Instruction and Special Education )

"The author articulates in layman's terms the importance of reflecting on our digital age and how we must integrate technology into our classrooms and school activities." (Lori L. Grossman, Manager, Academic Training )

"The author provides a compelling and refreshing look at the role of technology in education and in the lives of our students." (Richard Yee, Principal )

"The rationale for the importance of developing critical thinkers with a conscience for the rights of others was evident throughout the text. This book could easily become a field guide for administrators, school boards, and technology educators." (Roxie R. Ahlbrecht, Second Grade Math Teacher Leader )

"This timely and highly relevant title examines the impact technology has in the life of educators and their students. The book includes practical examples infused with infectious wit, helps educators appreciate the impact of technology in the world and the classroom." (Jamie Campbell )

About the Author

Jason Ohler is a speaker, writer, teacher, researcher, and lifelong digital humanist who is well known for the passion, insight, and humor he brings to his presentations and writings. He is author of numerous articles, books, and teacher resources and continues to work directly with teachers, administrators, and students. Combining twenty-five years of experience in the educational technology field with an eye for the future, Ohler connects with people where they are, and helps them see their importance in the future development of living, learning, and working in the Digital Age. Although he is called a futurist, he considers himself a nowist, working nationally and internationally to help educators and the public use today's tools to create living environments that we are proud to call home.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Corwin Press (August 31, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1412971446
• ISBN-13: 978-1412971447
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #424,645 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

from jasonOhler.com-

Dr. Jason Ohler is a professor emeritus, speaker, writer, teacher, researcher, and lifelong digital humanist who is well known for the passion, insight, and humor he brings to his presentations, projects and writings. He has worked both online and in classrooms at home and internationally for over a quarter century helping students develop the new literacies they need to be successful in the digital age. He is a passionate promoter of "Art the Next R" and of combining innovation, creativity and digital know-how to help reinvent teaching and learning.

He is also an enthusiastic champion of the need for students to learn how to use technology wisely and safely, with awareness and compassion, so they can become informed and productive citizens in a global digital society. He has won numerous awards for his work and is author of many books, articles, and online resources. His current book, Digital Community, Digital Citizen, explores the issues of helping our students and ourselves blend our digital and non-digital lives into one integrated approach to living. His previous book, Digital Storytelling in the Classroom, reminds us that he is first and foremost a storyteller, telling tales of the future that are grounded in the past.

"The goal is the effective, creative, and wise use of technology . . . to bring together technology, community, and learning in ways that work. And while we are at it, to have fun."

More at jasonOhler.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Clear, logical and ultimately questionable, November 10, 2010

By 

Phillip A. Towndrow (Singapore) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Digital Community, Digital Citizen (Paperback)

The topic of digital citizenship is gaining prominence following, in part, intense interest in the safe and appropriate use of technology in contemporary "infospheres". According to Ohler, morals now need to be "revisted, expanded and refreshed" (p. 4) so that students can do what is right on the basis of a robust and informed ethical core. Education is central in this process and teachers play crucial roles in building the skill sets, knowledge and dispositions required to meet the challenges thrown up by local, global and digital communities.

Ohler's approach to unpacking the complex and often contentious issues surrounding digital citizenship--reflected in the three parts of this book--involves constructing past, present and future analytical perspectives. First, we need to understand how the concept of digital citizenship arises out of the history of citizenship, in general. Second, we have to "see" (and/or notice?) technology for what it is and question it; that is, recognise its impacts, interrogate our purposes and articulate our concerns. The third step is to consider what we, as educators, might do after seizing the present to move positively and hopefully into the future.

Overall, I like Ohler's easy-going style and the clear, logical presentation. This book asks important questions, makes significant points (see the frequent "bottom line" statements) and I recommend educators, parents and (digital) children to read it for a general overview and treatment of "digi-munity" (my own pointless neologism inspired by Ohler's occasional penchant for the same linguistic nonsense ;-)). But I also have a number of concerns about some of the illustrations given and points made that I think impair the wide appeal of the material and arguments presented. Three examples follow.

In the third section of the book an ideal school board is imagined as a way of framing ways to predict and respond to change via digital character education programmes. After establishing the Golden Rule of ethical action, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" (cf. Luke 6:31 and Matthew 7:12), Ohler then extends the Eleven Principles of Effective Character Education developed by the Character Education Partnership (Likona, Schaps, & Lexis, 2007)[...] to include issues of technology use and cyber behavior. For example, the eighth principle: "The school staff is an ethical learning community that shares responsibility for character education and adheres to the same core values that guide the students" becomes "[The] school staff [i]s a learning and moral community that shares responsibility for character education and attempts to adhere to the same core values that guide the education of students. This should happen regardless of whether the community is actual or virtual in nature." Aside from some confusion caused by what seems to be a typographical/transpositional error between the original and expanded principles six and eight, I found this exercise of questionable utility--not because it's idealistic but because the list of eleven modified items is acultural and asocial in spirit and intent. Maybe this is meant to be so but I don't share or even fully understand Ohler's premise that "We have the tools to create any kind of society, and thus educational system, that we want" (p. 5). Surely, not everyone enjoys the same level of political freedom, history or social outlook?

When discussing concerns about technology (Chapter 4), Ohler states, "Although some teachers are genuinely excited about the challenges and opportunities of teaching digital kids, others feel uneasy, overwhelmed, and irrelevant" (p. 90). He continues, "The reality is that the more technological we become, the more important teachers become. Machines don't teach citizenship--humans do. Teachers mistakenly think they need to be advanced technicians to be effective in today's classrooms. They don't. What is important is that teachers become advanced managers of their students' talents, time, inquiry and productivity. Teachers need to be able to articulate standards of quality and provide feedback that students can use to meet those standards. They need to be the guide on the side rather than the technician magician." The sentiments expressed here are familiar but unsubstantiated in general terms. I would contend that the guide on the side is not always welcomed or even appropriate in all classrooms or learning contexts given the cultural, social, historical and political composition of communities (digital or otherwise) throughout the world.

Third, Ohler comments that, "What our students desperately need is to learn how to blend creatical [creative and critical] thinking, emerging literacies, prodigious information synthesis, and moral perspective in order to thrive as they are tested by new technologies and evolving ethical situations we can't even imagine" (p. 227). Why desperate? I'm also prompted to ask: Who are these students, where are they located and, most importantly, would they agree with this assessment?

5.0 out of 5 stars Review by the Berglund Center for Internet Studies, April 12, 2011

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Berglund Center for Internet Studies - See all my reviews

This review is from: Digital Community, Digital Citizen (Paperback)

Digital Community: Digital Citizen takes the reader down a three-part path to digital citizenry. First is a description of how digital citizenship fits within the evolution of citizenship and community; second is a discussion of learning to see technology and its impact on our society, and third is a practical discussion of how to create a good digital community through good citizenry. The 12 chapters are easy to read, well organized, and include a rare combination of "big picture" perspectives and practical classroom applications.

For a full review see Interface Volume 11 Issue 1.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review by Bob and Sue, October 29, 2010

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Bob and Sue - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Digital Community, Digital Citizen (Paperback)

Length:: 3:29 Mins

Here Bob and Sue, two animated adult learners returning to Higher Education studying technology enhanced learning discuss the merits of Digital Community, Digital Citizen. The review is set in the wider context of ethics and cyberspace. It, with other videos (and avatars) are located in the Open University's (UK) networking site Cloudworks [...]