Digital Citizenship

Digital Citizenship is, or should be, a fundamental building block of the personal learning plan process. Building student understanding of their responsibilities, obligations, and the opportunities available through technology also requires thoughtful, targeted instruction. These skills are woven into the Agency of Education's Transferable skills and integrating digital citizenship instruction into the learning environment is critical.

That said, there are a huge range of options for teachers to utilize. It is recommended that educators review the numerous resources available and find those that fit your students and curriculum.

To that end, here are some great sites to start exploring:

• Common Sense Media Digital Citizenship Curriculum
• Google Digital Citizenship and Curriculum
• Google Safety Center
• ISTE Technology Standards for Students
• iKeepSafe

This is certainly at the heart of the ideas behind digital citizenship, but as technology integration grows, not only in schools but in society as a whole, I believe the concept of digital citizenship will continue to expand.

We identified nine key elements that help define how to best use technology in every school, home and community. They’re organized into three primary categories:

Respect

• Digital access: Advocating for equal digital rights and access is where digital citizenship starts.
• Digital etiquette: Rules and policies aren’t enough — we need to teach everyone about appropriate conduct online.
• Digital law: It’s critical that users understand it’s a crime to steal or damage another’s digital work, identity or property.

Educate

• Digital communication: With so many communication options available, users need to learn how to make appropriate decisions.
• Digital literacy: We need to teach students how to learn in a digital society.
• Digital commerce: As users make more purchases online, they must understand how to be effective consumers in a digital economy.

Protect

• Digital rights and responsibilities: We must inform people of their basic digital rights to privacy, freedom of speech, etc.
• Digital safety and security: Digital citizens need to know how to protect their information from outside forces that might cause harm.
• Digital health and wellness: From physical issues, such as repetitive stress syndrome, to psychological issues, such as internet addiction, users should understand the health risks of technology.

Ribble, Mike. (2014, June, 24). Essential Elements of Digital Citizenship.

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