Digital Citizenship, Literacy & Responsible Learning Practices

This module focuses on digital citizenship, etiquette, and best practices for safe and secure technology use. Digital citizenship are the strategies around using technology in a responsible manner. Media literacy is the understanding, creation, and access of media resources. The topic I would like to explore in this section is Restorative Discipline Practices. Repairing the harm we have placed upon others is a powerful and valuable tool to repair damaged relationships and create options for moving forward in a positive and constructive manner.

Description: Digital Drama vs. Cyberbullying

To create and design my infographic, I used Infogram. This platform is an extension of Google chrome. After researching several programs from the “10 Free Tools for Creating Infographics”, I felt that the programs were all very similar and user friendly. I also chose to use Infogram due to the ease of embedding the infographic I created into my google site with very easily. Infogram offered a wide array of templates for use; but I did learn that there was an upgrade feature that would allow access to more resources and provide for a wider range of ability in the creation phase. Designing this infographic was an easy process to learn because Infogram was extremely user friendly and easy to navigate.

I chose to design my infographic on the topic of Cyberbullying and Digital Drama. I chose this topic because I have three children who are fairly voracious users of social media and I wanted to get a better understanding of the dangers they might face while using these technology platforms. Also, I discovered it very insightful to learn the pitfalls and dangers my own kids, students, and adults experience daily. According article by The Conversation, bully's target their victims in many ways. This was important information to know so that I can be more aware in the classroom and at home. Finally, I hope to educate students and parents to be more vigilant and ready to protect their children from cyberbullying.

I plan on discussing cyberbullying this year for a staff meeting. This will allow me to give them the ability to spot, discuss, and address any situations that may arise and have a factual basis for the conversation to take place.

Citation

• Broadband Search: https://www.broadbandsearch.net/blog/cyber-bullying-statistics

• Cyberbullying Research Center: https://cyberbullying.org/2019-cyberbullying-data

• The Conversation: https://theconversation.com/how-cyberbullies-overtly-and-covertly-target-their-victims-90448

• StopBullying.Gov: https://www.stopbullying.gov/resources/get-help-now

Teaching, modeling, and learning about digital citizenship and responsibility is a concept many educators are receiving and influx of information about. The past practice of using digital tools as independent learning activities have changed to structured lessons delivered to the interests of the student around specific content they want to explore. I consider myself an intermediate user of digital tools to strive to get the greatest potential out of students; the modeling of digital citizenship and responsibility is a responsibility I enjoy and always look forward to learning more about and how I can use it to improve my craft.

As a whole experience, I feel I am an astute learner and collaborator who can skillfully model successful etiquette strategies for safety, strive to increase the teaching of creation versus consumption, model healthy and balanced digital use, and feel strongly in my ability to facilitate different types of discussion with students when it comes to using digital tools responsibly. Unfortunately, in this day and age, modeling is not enough. I will need to focus a portion of my process of instruction with the promotion of the ethical use of technology. I take the responsibility of promoting ethical behavior with students very seriously. My own kids are watching.

Promoting digital citizenship has become increasingly more important because of the new and heightened challenges students will face as they enter a digital world ever-changing and educationally competitive. These lessons will hopefully allow the sharing of information to prevent any adverse situations while online using digital tools and platforms. I enjoy using technology to complete daily assignments such as scheduling, observations of staff members, and fiscal responsibility. I also feel technology can enhance my effectiveness in communicating with all stakeholders in the education process. Technology offers students, teachers and families the opportunity to be flexible with their learning, serve their needs in a time of need: such as living through a pandemic, and create confident intelligent twenty-first century digital learners.

I would like to increase the amount of modeling and use of expectations for ethical online communications. There is a direct need to increase the amount of communication in a virtual setting and students need to understand the discussions they have online are the same as face-to-face discussions. They need to engage and participate fully to receive a rich and diverse experience. I strive to revise and implement behavioral expectations to assist in creating a positive learning community. I work hard to be compassionate of other cultures and use digital tools to explore different parts of the world. I would like to pass on this passion to students so they can experience healthy and safe exploration of digital resources.

The learning and content from this module helped to strengthen my skill and ability in the following ISTE Standards for Teachers:

• Domain 4: Technical Skills

  • Competency 3: Management of Blended Learning Experience

    • Standard A: Understand and manage the face-to-face and online components of lesson planning and organization within a blended course

The information I read and viewed about digital drama and cyberbullying and how both may be used as self-defense strategy by young people was astounding. As an educator, I must have come across multiple incidents each day where student drama happened on the playground or in class. After investigation and some prodding, I often found that the genesis of the issue occurred online or through instant messaging. As I reflect, I will strive to have better vigilance and awareness of situations that could lead to bullying or cyberbullying. I have experienced times where the best way to covey important strategies to help avoid cyberbullying and digital drama is to develop clear expectations, create multiple opportunities to research and practice ideas and model respectful behaviors to help guide understanding of the responsibilities for digital citizenship. This module showed me evaluating media is a very important step in avoiding bias and offering universal access to all. I will strive to analyze digital tools I use when creating content. Through analysis of online content and digital tools, I will be modeling good digital citizenship as well.

Creating and using infographics to disperse information correctly is an extremely important strategy for planning thoughtful and creative lessons. It can be an effective way to engage students, draw them into the discussion and foster critical thinking and the exchange of ideas. The most difficult task is to make projects engaging to students and foster an atmosphere of wondering. The goal is to provide structure and room to research. (iNACOL Domain 1: Mindset, Competency 1: New Vision for Teaching and Learning, Standard E: Have an entrepreneurial spirit, and possess creativity, imagination, and drive.)