Digital Citizenship

 

 

The concept of Digital Citizenship is being viewed as an important area of educational knowledge not only in the United States but around the world. 

 

 

What is Digital Citizenship?

 Digital citizenship is the continuously developing norms of appropriate, responsible, and empowered technology use. 

Purpose:  Our goal as educators is to provide instruction and guidance so that all student become digital citizens.  Using the nine elements of digital citizenship will help students: lead and assist others in building positive digital experiences, recognize that our actions have consequences to others and participate in a manner for the common good of all. In doing this we should follow the S3 Framework (Safe, Savvy, Social)

Teach students to be protect themselves/others; educate themselves/others; respect themselves/others.  

 

 

How is Digital Citizenship gained?

There are nine elements used to establish these desired behaviors, below you will see an image to post when teaching the element and to post as a reminder for students. Each element has its own impact on being a model digital citizen. Digital access deals with making sure the students have access to any material that is presented digitally at school and at home.  Digital commerce is the teaching safeguards and correct methods and guidelines to follow when purchasing or selling things online.  Digital ettiquette, also referred to as netiquette, is just remembering to use appropriate language and to be considerate of others feelings online.  Digital communication and collaboration deals with teaching students how to properly communicate and work with others, where to share information and how to set and meet deadlines. Digital fluency is just being sure of what you are accessing online - determining whether information retrieved is factual and where to find the best source of information.  Digital law deals with the rules that concern things like cyber-bullying, sexting, etc.  Digital health and welfare is learning how to balance the time spent online and in the real world.  Digital rights and responsibility introduces students using the internet wisely, helping those who may need help but also reporting any problems or things of concern to proper authorities.  Digital security and privacy is teaching students to recognize viruses, worms or other potential problems that can spread from one system to another.

 

        Digital access                                                      Digital commerce                                           Digital Etiquette        

      

                                                                                              

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

                                                                           

 

  Digital communication and collaboration                        Digital fluency                                 Digital law         

                                                                                                                                                                               

     

 

        Digital health and welfare                        Digital rights and responsibilities             Digital security and privacy

                                                             
                                

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

                       

 

 

Teaching about Digital Citizenship

It is a educator's responsibility to guide their students into digital citizenship.  There are several curriculums available to help as well as videos to introduce students to concept.  Below are just a few.  

Videos:        Integrating Digital Citizenship in the class

elementary students :  Super Digital Citizen

 middle school students: Digital Citizenship and You

  high school students:  Your Digital Footprint

K - 12 Curriculum Resources can be found at the following sites:   

https://www.commonsense.org/education/scope-and-sequence

https://code.org/curriculum/course3/20/Teacher

https://www.teachingchannel.org/video/teaching-digital-citizenship

 

Resources for Teachers

Digital Citizenship is a concept which helps teachers, technology leaders and parents to understand what students/children/technology users should know to use technology appropriately. Digital Citizenship is more than just a teaching tool; it is a way to prepare students/technology users for a society full of technology. 

You can never have too many resources when teaching below are websites that might be helpful with activities and lessons to cover the elements listed above, as well as a book to help guide you through this process.  

For elementary aged students: https://www.thetechieteacher.net/2018/09/digital-citizenship-resources-for.html

For middle school aged students: https://www.aeseducation.com/blog/top-4-digital-citizenship-activities-middle-school

For high school aged students: https://www.edutopia.org/article/digital-citizenship-resources

All age students:https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2018/04/The-Digital-Citizenship-Curriculum-Digital-Literacy-Cyber-Hygiene-and-More-perfcon

Book:

Digital Citizenship Handbook for School Leaders: Fostering Positive Interactions Online by Mike Ribble and Marty Park, is now available at ISTE.org or Amazon.com  

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References

 

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Espinosa, Digital citizenship, (2012). Digital health and wellness retrieved July 1, 2019, from https://sites.google.com/site/6thgradetechno/digital-citizenship-unit/digital-

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Learning on the loop, site banner, retrieved July 1, 2019, from https://learningon.theloop.school.nz/moodle/mod/book/view.php?id=89708.

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     promoting-digital-citizenship/

S3 Framework for Digital Citizenship, retrieved July 1, 2019, at  www.digitalcitizenship.net/nine- elements.html.

Stuntz, J. What's coming in 2018: digital privacy and security predictions. (2017). Retrieved July 1, 2019 from https://jaxenter.com/digital-privacy-security-2018-

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 Yancy - Jackson, Digital communication and collaboration ,   retrieved July 1, 2019, from  http://mrsyancykindergarten.weebly.com/digital-communication.html.