Digital Citizenship

Linda Brown, Kimberly O’Donnell, Marilyn McDonald, and Amy Blackwell

What is Digital Citizenship?

• Can be defined as responsible and appropriate behavior when using technology

• It is the norms that have been established by the professional community in regards to the use and misuse of technology.

• There are 9 general areas of behaviors that define digital citizenship: Etiquette, communication, literacy, access, commerce, law, rights & responsibilities, health & wellness, and security.

Why do we need to discuss digital citizenship?

• When ISTE developed the National Educational Technology Standards for students (NETS), they were based on in-school behavior.

• It has become obvious that there is a wide range of use and misuse of technology outside of the school setting.

• Just as we teach students the proper behavior for society’s norms in other settings, we must teach digital citizenship for today’s students and help them become responsible citizens of today's digital society.

Test Your Digital Compass

Listen to the scenarios and designate the compass point that you agree with.

Nine Themes of Digital Citizenship

1. Digital Etiquette: One of the most pressing problems Some people are unaware of the fact that there is an

etiquette for using digital technology Others fell uncomfortable bringing up others bad

etiquette Creating rules and regulations are not enough, we

must teach others to become responsible digital citizens

2. Digital Communication

Also known as electronic exchange of information There is a wide variety of communication options

open for use (ex: e-mail, cellular phones, instant messaging)

People are able to be in constant contact with others through these devices

Many users haven’t been taught to make appropriate decisions when faced with so many different digital communication options

3. Digital Literacy

process of teaching and learning about technology and the use of technology

Focus must be on what is taught about technology as well as how it should be used appropriately

Learners must be taught to learn anything, anytime, anywhere

Learners need to learn how to use technology quickly and appropriately

Information literacy is a must

4. Digital Access

Full electronic participation in society

All people should have fair access to technology

"No one wants to cross the digital divide using yesterday's technology“-Intel CEO Paul Otellini

Digital exclusion does not enhance the growth of users

We need to be committed to equal digital access

5. Digital Commerce

• The electronic buying and selling of goods

• Legitimate and legal exchanges– Issues associated with this

• Illegal/immoral goods and services available

• Need to learn how to be effective consumers

6. Digital Law

Electronic responsibility for actions and deeds

Ethical use of technology

Rules apply to anyone who works or plays online

Netiquette

technophilia-uncritical acceptance

Hacking, illegal music downloads, plagiarizing, worms, viruses, Trojan horses, spam, identity theft.

7. Digital Rights and Responsibilities

• Digital rights must be addressed, discussed, and understood in schools.

• Elementary students today spend a lot of time on the web. Many of their lessons and toys involve the use of the internet, and as children they may not know how to use the internet responsibly.

• Parents and teachers need to take time with their kids to teach them online responsibilities

8. Digital Health and Wellness

Describes the mental and physical well-being of a student when using the internet.

This branch of Digital Citizenship also emphasizes the potential risks and dangers when using online websites.

This may include: ergonomics, the physical well-being and the posture of the body while using the internet and safety of important body parts, such as the eyes.

9. Digital Security

• It is not enough to trust other members in the community for our own safety.

• We need to have virus protection, backups of data, and power surge control devices on our equipment.

• Students should be taught how to use surge protectors in their homes with their own computers, to back up data, and to use passwords to protect their electronic work.

Test Yourself

http://www.brainpop.com/technology/computersandinternet/digitaletiquette/

Conclusion

• Technology is moving faster than governments and societies can keep up. Laws are often enacted reactively rather than proactively and even the legal system is running to catch up.

• It is our responsibility as educators to teach our students how to responsibly and effectively use

technology. • “Education is not the teaching of the three R’s. Education is

the teaching of the overall citizenship, to learn to live together with fellow citizens, and above all to learn to obey the law.”-Thurgood Marshall, US Supreme Court Justice