Teaching students about digital citizenship is essential, and should be continuously taught to them. Teachers have the responsibility to repeatedly model this citizenship to students, according to ISTE Standard 4 (ISTE, 2016). This can be as simple as ensuring to site their sources on slide shows, and pointing it out to students. Digital Citizenship should be taught in order to make the internet a safer place. There are often concerns that the internet is a bad and scary place, especially for young children. "Unsafe drivers cause accidents, whereas educated drivers make the roads safer. Likewise, educating students makes the Internet a safer place" (Lindsay & Davis, 2010).
Digital citizenship should be taught to students starting in Kindergarten, or at the earliest age where children begin to use digital tools. Students of all ages should be aware of proper digital usage, which will help to protect the student and any of their family and friends. There are simple ways to help younger students to grasp the concept of digital citizenship, for example a flow chart for middle schoolers that help them decide what is appropriate to post (Common Sense Media).
Resources
Lindsay, & Davis. (2010). Navigate. Retrieved March 15, 2016, from http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ886385.pdf
Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteYour experience with the digital world mirrors mine. I, too was told "be careful what you post, you can't ever get it back". Of course, being the invincible teenager I thought I was, I never thought twice about what they said until the later years of college and looking for teaching jobs. Even then, Facebook was still relatively new (about 5 years old or so). With teenagers, it goes in one ear and out the other. I think we need to come up with an effective way to show the importance of practicing good digital citizenship. You mentioned an example about uneducated drivers vs educated drivers. Here's the difference - we can see the car crashes on the road, we can see it in movies, on the news, etc. We know people die in crashes, we know people are injured. We can't really see the consequences of not being a good citizenship in the digital world. So how can we help our students realize the consequences when it's something they really can't see or know the consequences of until it's too late?
Hi Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteI agree that students as young as kindergarten can be taught to protect their identity and personal information from online sites. When students create log ins and profiles they must be aware that their information is available for others to read. As they are taught about protecting themselves from strangers they must understand their are strangers online who may harm them or use their information unsafely. There are many available resources that can help teachers explain internet safety, cyberbullying, identity protection and more. I use the tip sheets and teaching materials on netsmatz.org and their is also safekids.com. The more frequently these conversations are had in the classroom the more routine they will become in our students choices and behaviors. Hopefully helping them make safe choices and establishing responsible citizens.
I agree, Stephanie, that we must constantly teach and model digital citizenship to our students and kids. It is so important today. I am enjoying your blog! Amy
ReplyDelete