Digital Citizenship

Why Digital Citizenship? As teachers, we set the climate for learning in our classrooms. Digital technology has the potential to transform learning making it more connected and authentic. On the other hand, digital devices can become digital distractions. Digital Citizenship is a foundational key to teaching and learning digitally. If we have clear expectations across our schools of students using digital technology respectfully, responsibly, and with purpose, this will set the stage for rich and meaningful digital learning. 

The importance of a home and school partnership. Our parent community will have expectations of how technology is used in the home. This is lightly to vary significantly across our parent body. Aspects affecting this could include culture, age of children, and access to technology. It is important to inform parents about how and why digital technology is being used in your classroom and at your school. We can do this by sharing the digital citizenship values from your class setting and your school setting.    

Focus on Learning For many of our students a digital device at home is associated with entertainment, relaxation, and playing games. As digital technology consumers, we are passively using digital technology. At school, we should be encouraging our students to think of themselves as active creators of technology.  

"As educators, it is our imperative to empower students to become active creators of digital content, as well as, developing digital; capabilities, principles and literacies (TKI - Digital Fluency https://elearning.tki.org.nz/Teaching/Digital-fluency)."

Aligning Values "Values are deeply held beliefs about what is important or desirable. They are expressed through the ways in which people think and act.

Every decision relating to curriculum and every interaction that takes place in a school reflects the values of the individuals involved and the collective values of the institution." (NZC)

Your Digital Citizenship programme should reflect and connect to your school values.     

Teaching Moments Digital Citizenship education is most effective when learned in an authentic context. That's not to say, don't plan and deliver instructional lessons. However, when incidents happen use these as teachable moments.   

Life-Long Learning Digital Citizenship is a life skill. We live in a dynamic digitally connected world that requires us to think critically, behave safely, and participate responsibly.

Finding Balance Using the Common Sense Education curriculum as a guide ensures coverage of key concepts across your school.