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The Nine Elements of Digital Citizenship
The Nine Elements of Digital Citizenship
Ribble (2015) deconstructs digital citizenship into nine essential constituent elements. He further classified the nine elements into three categories and organized under three principles. Below I will explain each element, the categories, and the principles and how they interrelate. I will then explain which elements are important to me.
1. Digital access – Citizens have different levels of access.
1. Digital access – Citizens have different levels of access.
Full access should be a goal of citizenship. The goal here is to allow all students and families no matter what, digital access. WCAG and VPAT Standards should be adhered to and schools should open labs when needed for those without access.
2. Digital commerce – Buying and selling online is increasing exponentially, and consumers need to be aware of what to purchase and the legality of their purchases.
2. Digital commerce – Buying and selling online is increasing exponentially, and consumers need to be aware of what to purchase and the legality of their purchases.
This element really focuses on how understanding use of online purchases can affect a person’s credit and how to make responsible purchases.
3. Digital communication – There are numerous ways to communicate online, and citizens need to make wise decisions in what and how they communicate.
3. Digital communication – There are numerous ways to communicate online, and citizens need to make wise decisions in what and how they communicate.
This element is one of the hotter and trendy topics because there is so much that happens on a daily basis in schools that deals with irresponsible communication which leads to disciplinary actions.
4. Digital literacy – Technological literacy requires citizens keep up with digital changes.
4. Digital literacy – Technological literacy requires citizens keep up with digital changes.
This element made me think about how a lot of teachers don’t use technology, maybe more because they don’t know how and lack the training. If we don’t continuing growing in this area, we may lose a lot of students to online programs.
5. Digital etiquette – Citizenship comes with a responsibility to follow etiquette when communicating with others.
5. Digital etiquette – Citizenship comes with a responsibility to follow etiquette when communicating with others.
This element is really all about having consideration for others when and before using technology. I think that this applies to both adults and children. As adults, we have to ask ourselves, when we use technology, are we modeling the good behavior that we expect or want from our students or children?
6. Digital law – Citizens have a responsibility to behave ethically and be aware of laws governing them.
6. Digital law – Citizens have a responsibility to behave ethically and be aware of laws governing them.
This is certainly an important element to teach kids. I just think if we are not teaching what is right and wrong early on, we are really doing our students a disservice. One of the more important elements for sure!
7. Digital rights and responsibilities – The rights of users are shared equally. These rights come with responsibilities.
7. Digital rights and responsibilities – The rights of users are shared equally. These rights come with responsibilities.
This element is important as students are consuming and contributing more than ever in a digital world. Educators can help in the area to reinforce credible research skills as they can also help students know for their rights related to copyright law and how sharing affects those rights.
8. Digital health and wellness – Physical and psychological issues can occur when ergonomics and other problems are not addressed.
8. Digital health and wellness – Physical and psychological issues can occur when ergonomics and other problems are not addressed.
This element I hadn't really thought about much. But it is important as we need to help prevent pain attributed to using computers as well as any other problems. So this needs to be addressed to students so that they are aware of how to prevent health problems related to technology use.
9. Digital security – Citizens must take action to protect their information online.
9. Digital security – Citizens must take action to protect their information online.
This element is important for both students and educators to understand and practice. There are so many times when passwords are stolen or shared. Students and teachers must understand how they can protect their digital identity.
REP
REP
All of the above elements are interrelated through the cluster REP which stands for Respect, Educate, and Protect. By teaching students and teachers digital citizenship in this way, one can cluster certain elements together to show the relationship between them thereby making them easier to remember. By teaching these clusters and repeating the clusters year after year from K-8th grades, this will sure set a foundation of good digital citizenship.
References
Ribble, M. (2015). Digital citizenship in schools: Nine elements all students should know (3rd ed.). Eugene, OR: International Society for Technology in Education
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