This document discusses the need for educators to equip students with skills beyond basic reading, writing and arithmetic (3Rs) and instead focus on exposing knowledge, employing information, expressing ideas compellingly, and ethics (4Es). It proposes using Web 2.0 tools like blogs and wikis can help achieve this, but also notes safety concerns. Alternatives like LL4Schools and Digital Arts Education are suggested as they provide safe online environments for collaboration and sharing student work.

1. Kelley F. Davis
Lamar University
Educational Technology

2. The 3Rs 4Es
 To prepare for an ever changing environment, we must aim
to equip students with the ability to teach themselves.
 To do this, we must rewrite the fundamentals.
 The 3Rs-Reading, Writing and Arithmetic, must now
become:
 Exposing Knowledge
 Employing Information
 Expressing Ideas Compellingly
 Ethics
(Armstrong and Warlick, 2001)

3. Using Web 2.0 Tools
 Using tools such as Chat Rooms, blogs, wikis, and
networking sites in the technology classroom can achieve
the 4 Es by:
 Exposing students to a wide range of digital arts information .
 Employing alternative and engaging methods of
communication and evaluation of digital projects and topics.
 Encouraging students to express themselves visually and
through writing.
 Allowing students to evaluate and make ethical choices about
posting and viewing digital information on networking sites.

4. Concerns with Web 2.0 Tools
 Personal Safety
 Online Predators
 Unauthorized access to student personal information
 Cyber bullying
 Access to inappropriate content
Internet safety ranked 5th in Parents Top 10 Health
Concerns for Children in 2009
(University of Michigan Health System, 2009)

5. A Safe Alternative
The Learning LANDSCAPE for schools (LL4Schools) is a
social learning environment specially created for
schools.
 Includes access to Web 2.0 Tools such as:
 Blogs
 Forums
 Wikis
 Video Streaming
 Picture Galleries
(LL4School, 2009)

6. 4 Easy Steps
 To register for LL4Schools:
1. Go to
http://www.ll4schools.co.uk/school/register.php.
2. Complete the registration form.
3. Complete the validation process for security purposes.
4. GET CONNECTED!
(LL4School, 2009)

7. Uses in the Classroom
 Blogs and wikis allow students to express themselves
through writing in new and innovative ways.
 Students can share videos of sample work with a global
community.
 Students can create RSS feeds of audio created and
post online in a safe environment.
 Students will be able to evaluate and receive evaluation
of work from a global audience.

8. Digital Arts Education
 To effectively teach Digital Graphics and
Design, students must have access to online
collaboration.
 Deviant Art is a popular choice but contains
inappropriate content and is often blocked by district
Internet blocking software.
(DeviantArt, 2010)

9. Digital Arts Education- A Safe
Alternative
 Digital Arts Education offers a safe place for digital arts
students to converse and display student work.
 Site Features
 Contests
 Articles and Tutorials
 Sample Work
 Content Specific Forums
Check it out!
http://digitalartsed.ning.com/
(Cauthron, 2010)

10. Uses in the Classroom
 Digital Artists can share their work with a safe online
community.
 Students can access tutorials and participate in “real
world” communities that share their interests and
specialty areas.
 Students will receive exposure to contents and have
opportunities to have their work published to a global
community.

11. Summary
 Educators cannot continue to shield students from
collaboration online learning experiences.
 Online safety is a primary concern so safe alternatives
to traditional online sites must be found.
 LL4Schools offers a safe online alternative for social
networking.
 Digital Arts Education provides a teacher led, student
centered environment for student learning and
collaboration.

12. References
 Armstrong, A. ,Warlick, D. (2001). The New Literacy-The 3rs Evolve
into the 4Es. Technology & Learning September 2001,20-28.
 Cauthron.(2010). Digital Arts Education-A Place for Digital Arts
Students to Converse & Display. Retrieved from
http://digitalartsed.ning.com/.
 DeviantArt(2010).DeviantArt-Where Art Meets Application. Retrieved
from http://www.deviantart.com/#.
 Hackett, J. (2010).The Learning LANDSCAPE for Schools. Retrieved
from http://www.ll4schools.co.uk/.
 University of Michigan Health System(2009).Obesity Remains No.1
Health Problem for Kids in 2009. Retrieved from
http://www2.med.umich.edu/prmc/media/newsroom/details.cfm?ID=
1247.