April 30, 2020
By the PUSD Ed Tech Team
As we shift into the world of remote learning, we need to make sure our students are prepared for navigating this new digital landscape. The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) defines digital citizenship as “using technology to solve problems to engage respectfully with people of different viewpoints, to make your voice heard and to understand how to recognize fact from fiction.” Our students are now facing new opportunities and challenges and Digital Citizenship instruction will ensure they remain safe and responsible online.
Poway Unified has adopted the Common Sense Media Digital Citizenship Curriculum. This is a free, research-based, K-12 online curriculum that prepares students to make smart choices online, giving them the skills they need to succeed as digital learners, leaders, and citizens.
As parents play a new role in at-home learning, it is important to keep open lines of communication with parents regarding Digital Citizenship expectations. Fort Bend ISD has created an infographic as a resource to share with parents.
Just as we set expectations in our physical classrooms, we can continue to set expectations in our digital classrooms. Ways to continue setting expectations:
Start each Zoom session with a reminder of the expectations
Create shared rules around different platforms (i.e. kind words when commenting on discussion board)
Talk in small groups or one-on-one with students when necessary to give expectation reminders
Name and notice when students show good examples of Digital Citizenship!