Building a Digital Citizenship

ProgramPresented by

The Digital Citizenship Task Force

Shorecrest Preparatory School

August 12, 2008

Are Kids Different Because of Digital Media?

Students Today: Are growing up surrounded by digital

technology. Are comfortable using technology in their

every day lives. Do not always use it appropriately. Need to learn the tools to become

responsible citizens in a digital society.

Teachers Today: Are using more technology in their

teaching practice. Can not assume students know how to

use technology responsibly just because they know how to use it.

Should provide active direction to students.

Schools Today: Should prepare students to live in a digital

world. Should help students understand that

digital technology makes them citizens of the world.

Should develop a school-wide digital citizenship program.

What Can Schools Do? Schools can start the conversation!

Students need to see that being a good citizen is just as important in the digital world as in their community.

Image: National Educational Technology Standards for Students, 2007

What is Digital Citizenship?

“the norms of behavior for technology use”

Nine Elements of Digital Citizenship

Digital Access “full electronic participation in society”

Does everyone in your school have equal opportunities as far as technology use is concerned?

Do all students have the opportunity to be involved in a digital society?

Nine Elements of Digital Citizenship

Digital Commerce “the buying and selling of goods online”

Are students aware of the opportunities and problems associated with purchasing items using technology?

Should students be made more aware of how to purchase goods and services through digital formats?

Nine Elements of Digital Citizenship

Digital Communication “the electronic exchange of information”

Do I use email, cell phone, and instant messaging technologies appropriately when communicating with others?

What rules, options, and etiquette do students need to be aware of when using digital communication technologies?

Nine Elements of Digital Citizenship

Digital Etiquette “the standards of conduct expected by

other digital technology users”

Are students aware of others when they use technology?

Do students realize how their use of technology affects others?

Nine Elements of Digital Citizenship

Digital Literacy “the capability to use digital technology and

knowing when and how to use it”

Should technology be used to access information to learn new concepts?

How can students use digital technologies to take best advantage of the educational opportunities available to them?

Nine Elements of Digital Citizenship

Digital Law “the legal rights and restrictions governing

technology use”

Are students using technology the way it was intended?

Are students infringing on others’ rights by the way they use technology?

Should students using digital technologies be accountable for how they use digital technologies?

Nine Elements of Digital Citizenship

Digital Rights & Responsibilities “the privileges and freedoms extended to all

digital technology users and the behavioral expectations that come with them”

What rights and responsibilities do students have in a digital society?

How do we make students more aware of their rights and responsibilities when using digital technologies?

Nine Elements of Digital Citizenship

Digital Health & Wellness “the elements of physical and psychological well-

being related to digital technology use”

How can student be physically affected by technology?

Are students aware of the physical dangers that can accompany the use of digital technologies?

Nine Elements of Digital Citizenship

Digital Security “the precautions that all technology users must

take to guarantee their personal safety and the security of their network”

How do students protect their technology in a digital society?

How can students be taught to protect themselves and their equipment from harm?

Who Should Teach Digital Citizenship?

Every member of the school community should be actively engaged in teaching digital citizenship.

While each member may play a different role, all community members need to model appropriate practice.

All members need to be familiar with the school’s rules and regulations (AUP).

Digital Citizenship Task Force Established March 2008

Includes 11 faculty, 2 administrators, 2 parents, 2 high school students Met every Wednesday for 10 weeks in Spring 2008 Part of the committee also met over the summer to plan today’s

professional development

Tasks Accomplished Rewrote school’s Acceptable Use Policy for Educational Technology Created a Teacher Acceptable Use Policy Populated a wiki with resources for the classroom

https://digitaltaskforce.wikispaces.com/ Developed professional development plan for 2008-2008 school year

Summary Technological advances will continue to take place, whether

schools want them to happen or not.

We can no longer rely on Acceptable Use Policies to be the sole “police” of what students are doing with technology.

Even if you are not using technology in your classroom, you need to be prepared to discuss digital citizenship.

Teaching students to be digital citizens, in and out of school, should be a top priority.