Digital Citizenship and Student Achievement

By Deanna Landrum 8/15/2022

Digital citizenship is an incredibly broad topic. It includes, but not limited to, internet safety, finding credible information, how to properly cite used information, how to treat others on the internet and what to do if you find something that makes you uncomfortable or someone else is making you uncomfortable. The World Wide Web is a vast place where you can find information on literally everything, the good, the bad and the ugly. Students' ability to use the internet at their best capacity will affect their ability to process information and achievement levels.

In an ISTE blog promoting his new book, Mike Ribble (2020) talks about the work he and co-author Gerald Bailey completed. The book Digital Citizenship in Schools the authors outlined the nine key elements of digital citizenship, in the updated edition they divided those nine elements into categories called REP: respect, educate and protect. Below find an infographic that includes the 9 Elements of Digital Citizenship:

Figure 1- See Below

Digital Citizenship Education in Saskatchewan Schools

As an educator, one aspect of achievement we want our students to gain is being prepared to enter the workforce with a level of professionalism that will serve them well throughout their career. The sooner they start building these skills, the more ingrained they will be and will allow for students to master these skills of digital citizenship.

Not only does focusing on digital citizenship prepare students for success in the professional world, it also teaches them to analyze and question information presented to them. The inquiry process requires students to ask questions and then find answers. If students do not know how to critically analyze information, then they may be relying on sources that are not deemed credible. The element of digital literacy and digital law help students hone critical thinking skills that will be imperative to their success in higher education or the workforce.

One aspect of digital citizenship that cannot be overlooked is safety, security, health and wellness and commerce. If you study McLeod’s (2020) analysis of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, you will know that if a person's basic needs are not met then they will not be open to growth and meeting their potential. Some of these needs in the lower part of the pyramid include security, feeling safe, self-esteem and emotional security. If these key pieces go unfulfilled, according to the theory, it will only make it that much harder and in some cases impossible for a student to achieve. By being taught digital citizenship skills, students will be able to safely traverse the web and avoid scams, bullies and traumatic content that may cause them distress.

A student's ability to find credible information on the internet, avoid malicious people and situations and protect their personal information is key to successfully using resources. A student's ability in finding these resources will not only give them an academic advantage and set them up for success in school, but it will also give them professional skills that they will be able to apply as lifelong learners and in any career they choose.

References

Couros, A. & Hildebrandt, K. (2015). Digital citizenship education

in Saskatchewan schools. Government of Saskatchewan. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1M49gSCCpRX2lrjyZ0Ujx3wyZ9pDeEoh0/view?usp=sharing

McLeod, S. (2020, December, 29). Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Simply Psychology. https://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html

Ribble, M. (2020, January 28th). Digital citizenship is more important than ever. International Society for Technology in Education. https://www.iste.org/explore/digital-citizenship-more-important-ever