Posts by Michelle Linford
Why I’m thrilled I talked to my kids about technology
Technology can be so helpful and convenient in the fast pace world we live in. As a part-time working adult and parent, I appreciate the opportunity technology gives me to quickly respond to an email while waiting for the doctor, or the opportunity it gives me to send a quick text to finalize the last…
Read MoreCanyons District's Internet Safety and Digital Citizenship Plan
In an increasingly digital age, Internet safety and digital citizenship have become hot topics. They should be a part of conversations happening at school, at home, and in the community. A couple of years ago our district felt the need to focus on digital citizenship and increase awareness among school populations and the community. Over…
Read MoreWashington state models new legislation after Utah's HB213
Media Literacy Now is a national nonprofit with a mission educate about media literacy and, more specifically, to collaborate with state partners to highlight and advance legislative action supporting media literacy and digital citizenship. In a newsletter ,Media Literacy Now reported that this week, legislation passed the Washington state Senate 48-0 that puts more focus…
Read MoreThe power of "Not about them without them"
“Not about them without them” is a mantra in EPIK’s collaborative community change work. Rather than doing things to people or even for people, this principle is about doing work with people, particularly those who are designated beneficiaries of any given effort. It’s about listening, asking, involving, caring. Here’s a great example of “Not about…
Read MoreTop Digital Threats for 2015
The European Union Agency for Network and Information Security has released a report about the top 15 cyber threats (threats to technology, such as with malware). Kids may not need to know or understand all the details about the threats, but we can help them understand some general principles about how to avoid them. See,…
Read MoreStar Wars, meet Digital Citizenship
A creative middle school teacher is leveraging the energy around Star Wars to get her kids thinking about how to be smart with digital tools. (And kudos to her for her care with copyrights. What Star Wars lines would you add to the list? Extra challenge: What positives could be added to the list? Digital…
Read MorePieces of the #EdTech (or #TechEd) puzzle
We recently signed up to be part of the ISTE community, and as part of our membership, we receive entrsekt, a journal about “Where learning, technology and community meet.” In the January 2016 issue of entrsekt, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts; the combination of article topics shows how leveraging the…
Read MoreHelping youth be "Light, Bright, and Polite" online
Josh Ochs helps middle and high school students with a simple, three-word checklist for social media. He invites them to be “Light” (not heavy, positive), “Bright” (articulate, smart, shows thinking before hitting ‘send,’ something you can be proud of and comfortable with, classy), and “Polite.” This video presentation is a great training given to middle…
Read MoreHackathon
The Utah County 4H Hackathon was a success! Dozens of children and youth — ranging from elementary-aged children to high schoolers — attended the event at the Provo City Library. There were three sessions of classes, each lasting an hour and 45 minutes. EPIK Deliberate Digital was one of the sponsors, and we hosted two of…
Read MoreFREE Utah County Hackathon December 12
One of the ways kids can be digital citizens is to have specific training and skills in digital tools and processes. Hackathons provide a good opportunity for kids to be exposed to some of the digital skill sets of the 21st century. EPIK is helping the Utah County 4-H STEM Hackathon, which will be…
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