Thing #11 Digital Citizenship

Digital citizenship is something that all students need to learn. However, students need to learn this in incremental stages apropriate for their development - especially in elementary settings.

I liked the post: Digital literacy and the classroom. I especially like the thoughts expressed in this graphic:

For the student, all 4 areas of literacy, safety, learning strategies and etiquette are balanced and important.

I thought that I-Safe Factsheet was helpful in describing what would be appropriate to teach diferent ages of students about safety.

I found this .pdf file about "Cyber-Savvy Teens: Making responsible choices online." I thought that the information presented gave a good overview of what might go into each lesson.

One of the ideas stated on the Kenton, KY school website was that September was the month they focused on digital citizenship and internet safety. I think that we in SBISD would be wise to consider this also as we prepare for the upcoming year.

Nine Themes of Digital Citizenship - from the Digital Citizenship website.

1. Digital Etiquette - electronic standards of conduct or procedure

2. Digital Communication - electronic exchange of information

3. Digital Literacy - process of teaching and learning about technology and the use of technology

4. Digital Access - full electronic participation in society

5. Digital Commerce - electronic buying and selling of goods

6. Digital Law - electronic responsibility for actions and deeds

7. Digital Rights & Responsibilities - those freedoms extended to everyone in a digital world

8. Digital Health & Wellness - physical and psychological well-being in a digital technology world

9. Digital Security (self-protection) - electronic precautions to guarantee safety.

I'm not sure where this actually originated, but I found it at the Kenton, KY website:
Understanding Digital Citizenship
"A citizen both works for and benefits from a larger society."

It is vital that our students understand that they are part of a bigger picture, and if they do not value and use their digital rights, then they will be relegated to a lower class, with fewer options in multiple areas of their life, than those who are able to use the power of technology to their advantage.