A Year of Digital Literacy

The overall goal of strand 7 is to build strong, healthy, resilient online citizens who know how to keep digital spaces safe and secure.

Instruction in this strand can be a part of any community building or class structure instruction and can be included in discussions about what makes a good citizen in general. There is an good chance that instructors are already addressing this topic in class, but this material is meant to add to and focus actions already being taken by teachers.

No technology has to be used in any of this instruction. Primarily, teachers will be holding discussions and having students do simulations of online spaces. As much of this learning will include personal information, teachers are encouraged to check with school personnel to make sure that EdLaw 2d requirements are met before using any new online tools.

DL 7 Grade by Grade Vertical Standards

Why a whole school approach?

"Educators can focus on being proactive with digital citizenship lessons. With many cross-curricular ties, the learning objectives can be hit upon in core disciplines like ELA or Social Studies. This proactive approach again emphasizes habits of mind versus a reactive, one-time plug. Remember, with many of the obstacles students face online, they are not developmentally ready to tackle them. Children’s prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain that controls impulsivity, decision-making, and compulsivity, isn’t fully developed until one turns 25. So it is completely natural that students will misstep, experiment, and explore as they form their own identities and relationships — but the repercussions of posting an inappropriate photo, making a crass comment, or sharing private information can haunt one for decades to come.

As with any muscle, students need to exercise these skill sets to develop such habits of mind. Adults and students alike need repeated and consistent instances of practice in learning about digital citizenship. Schools can be that needed safe environment to explore the concepts under the guidance of an adult who may have more foresight (developmentally at least!). Teachers can share the challenges and opportunities they have experienced to better personalize the twists and turns within our digital world." Common Sense Education

Curriculum Band Implementation Guides

K-1

7.K-1

2-3

7.2-3

4-6

7.4-6

7-8

7.7-8

9-12

7.9-12