Digital for Good

Instructor: McKenzie Fuller

Format: Online, Self-Paced

Commitment: 15 hours

Available Credits: 1

Course Description: Guiding children through the digital world is a daunting responsibility; teachers and parents alike feel underprepared and overwhelmed. We worry children will become adicted on online games, be victims of cyberbullying, or get lost down the rabbit hole of social media. We warn them about all the things they shouldn't do online, but we don't do nearly enough to teach them the skills of digital well-being. 

It's time to start a new conversation. In Digital for Good, EdTech expert Richard Culatta argues that technology can be a powerful tool for learning, solving humanity's toughest problems, and bringing us closer together. He offers a refreshingly positive framework for preparing kids to be successful in a digital world - one that encourages them to use technology proactively and productively - by outlining five qualities every young person should develop in order to become a thriving, contributing digital citizen: 

• Be balanced: understand when and how much tech use is healthy. 

• Stay informed: discern between true and false information. 

• Be inclusive: treat others with respect and kindness online. 

• Be engaged: use tech to strengthen family relationships and community connections. 

• Stay alert: exercise caution and create safe digital spaces for others. 

This practical guide will help teachers, parents, and children discover the path to becoming effective digital citizens, all while making our online world a better place. 

Course Requirements:

• Read Digital for Good. 

• Respond in writing to study guide questions associated with each chapter of the book. 

• Apply and reflect upon a "Next Step" after each chapter of the book. 

• Submit a final reflection (1 page) to the course's Google Classroom.