Candidates practice the ethical principles of their profession, advocate for intellectual freedom and privacy, and promote and model
digital citizenship and responsibility.
Reflection
Educator Mike Ribble wrote that "Digital Citizenship is more than just a teaching tool; it is a way to prepare students/technology users for a society full of technology... The issue is more than what the users do not know but what is considered appropriate technology usage." Ribble understands that in the 21st Century, teaching digital citizenship is no longer optional...it is essential to the success of our students, both now and as adults. In many schools, the library is the starting point for learning and enforcing the ethical principals and the intellectual freedom that promotes digital citizenship within our students and teachers.
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Artifacts
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One of the first assignments a McDaniel SLM candidate does, is to establish their own understanding of a student's right to read. Until I entered the program, I never really thought about how lucky I was to live in a place that protects and defends my rights to information and access. I am really proud of my Right to Read Statement because it represents a promise that I have made to the patrons of my library. It is my job to ensure that their needs as information users are being met and the statement is a good reminder to all parties involved why that is so important. The Right to Read Statement is a great way to advocate for intellectual freedom, and I plan to display it proudly in my media center and on my media website.
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Over the last three years, I have been educated on the best practices of information sharing in the digital age. I am not proud to say that I was not a very responsible digital citizen when I first started this program...not because I intentionally tried to do bad things, but more because I was not familiar with the rules and regulations involved in promoting the sharing of information. It became very apparent that I needed to be more active in teaching students to be responsible with information, and to provide them resources that were digitally responsible that would help them accomplish their goals. It also made me think of all of my colleagues who are still in the dark about the digital ethics involved in our profession. The role of the librarian gives me a great opportunity to inform and promote digital citizenship in a way that I cannot do as a teacher.
The Reader's Rights, on both the SLM website and the Information Sources website, show ways that I have provided guidelines for students and staff as they seek information. As I have grown throughout the program, I have also begun to explore ways to use the creative commons network of resources to expand the materials that can and should be used in presentations. My personal growth will make me better able to advocate and model these skills to others.
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I move into a media position with a clear understanding of the laws and policies regarding intellectual freedom and digital citizenship. I recognize that my library needs to be a place of trust and learning for all parties involved. Like Mike Ribble, I recognize that my job has everything to do with preparing students for the realities that await them, and the way to do that is to model, advocate, and promote the ethical principals and responsibilities that the library program stands for. I will use this knowledge to educate my colleagues and students to ensure that they are being digitally responsible in our digital world.