Security in the online world is important. When using devices at school or at home, students should be aware of possible malware attacks. Teachers should explain how they can prevent and how to protect their devices as much as possible. Thank you Doug, I think you hit the nail on the head with this top 10! I have to agree that guidelines for “safe and ethical use” are always the terminology that comes to mind when teaching digital citizenship to new learners. For my younger students, I correlate with being a “good citizen” at school or in the community with being a good “digital citizen” online. I hope they understand it!! 🙂 A librarian in Hawaii has been tasked by her government to contribute to the “10 Best Guidelines for Digital Citizenship.” As I`m both for the top 10 lists and a long-time crusader to teach digital citizenship to kids*, I couldn`t resist. Although we live in the digital age, not everyone has access to technology. As teachers, we need to be aware of this digital divide. Not all students can afford a computer, smartphone and internet access.
Therefore, educators must offer alternatives that are appropriate to the needs of each student. In their book Digital Citizenship in Schools, Mike Ribble and Gerald Bailey talk about how technology influences the way people interact and the concept of digital citizenship in the classroom. The authors define nine elements of digital citizenship related to the use of technology inside and outside the school environment: “Too often, digital citizenship is taught in a negative way – here`s the list of all the things you shouldn`t do online. And while I appreciate the intent behind anti-cyberbullying campaigns, we don`t teach anything other than “anti-” in schools. I mean, we don`t have campaigns to fight illiteracy – we teach children to love to read. Digital citizenship should not be a list of things not to do, but a list of things to do. All students need digital citizen knowledge to fully participate in their communities and make smart decisions online and in life. Our award-winning K-12 Digital Citizenship Program: Watch the video below, then commit to using the five skills of digital citizenship. The online world has its rules and a user has rights and obligations. The internet can also be used for malicious purposes and everyone needs protection from cyberbullying, for example. Schools should address this issue in classrooms that hold students accountable for their actions and also report misconduct in the virtual environment.
“Many of the characteristics of any good citizen – from respect and responsibility to what is right – are also key elements of digital citizenship. But students must learn to apply these proven characteristics to the realities of the digital age. Although some of the rules may be a little too general (7. A good citizen defends fundamental human rights…) or curious about the subject (6. A good citizen spends money and manages it responsibly…), as practical examples of a vague idea, they work well. The fact is that each of us has – and leaves – a digital footprint. Carrying a smart device is part of that digital footprint. As adults, we can cite experiences where something we did in the past affects something happening today. We “understand” that something we do online can follow us for the rest of our lives. Without this box full of remorseful events, it is much more difficult for our children to understand.
“Digital citizenship is one of the most important elements of our lives. We use your resources every day. Thank you very much! We should teach students to be digital fluent. Digital etiquette shapes their online behavior to respond positively to online content. In this way, their online attitude is reflected in the real world and vice versa. These are the questions that the friendly people at ISTE have addressed in the infographic below, which aims to clarify the “standards” for citizenship in the digital age. We`ve proposed a definition of digital citizenship in the past, and this chart takes that idea and adds general advice on what it might look like in action. ISTE explains that I use technology and digital channels for civic engagement to solve problems and be a force for good in both physical and virtual communities. I assess the accuracy, perspective and validity of digital media and social publications. The other way we need to evolve our way of thinking, Culatta says, is to recognize that the skills needed to succeed as a digital citizen go beyond simple online security. This includes recognizing the facts of fiction online, using technology for civic action, and respecting people with different perspectives than we do.
The online environment provides space for both positive and negative interactions. Digital law deals with legal rights and restrictions on the use of technology. To prevent any type of online crime, no matter how serious it may be, students, as digital citizens, need to know the law and how it applies to them in particular. Digital commerce highlights the need to solve the security issues related to the use of money in the digital world. Technology is also being used in the classroom to teach students the different career paths they might choose in the future. Understanding how e-commerce works is a must, both as a consumer and as a potential entrepreneur. Parents and teachers need to help students become good digital citizens. Both must help students use the Internet safely, responsibly and appropriately. They also help students follow the rules and act in a way that leads to effective digital learning. Here are the responsibilities expected of parents, students and teachers: If there are internet-connected devices in your child`s life, it`s time to think about digital citizenship. The online environment should be a safe space where everyone feels protected. Since education is at the heart of society, students should learn how to use technology responsibly and ensure the safety of the online environment for generations to come.
Our K-12 digital citizenship program was designed and developed in collaboration with Project Zero at Harvard Graduate School of Education – and led by research with thousands of educators.