What is Digital Citizenship?
Digital Citizenship can be defined in many ways. In essence, it is a concept focused around educating and informing parents, students, teachers, and technology leaders about the appropriate uses of technology. With the advances in today's technology, the impact of social media and the new technological trends influencing our daily lives, the creation of a society online has emerged. Not only must children learn how to act as responsible citizens in today's society, but it is imperative that they learn how to act as responsible citizens in our online society. In other words, they must learn to become digital citizens. As teachers and parents, it is our duty to mold our students into becoming responsible citizens both in today's world and in our digital society. Through an understanding of digital citizenship, we can achieve our goal in "preparing our students to become 21st century citizens" (Ribble, 2007).
Watch this video, "Digital Citizenship" to discover how Childnet International defines digital citizenship.
Watch this video, "Digital Citizenship" to discover how Childnet International defines digital citizenship.
Why is Digital Citizenship Important in Schools?
According to the International Society for Technology in Education, it is imperative that "Today’s educators provide a learning environment that takes students beyond the walls of their classrooms and into a world of endless opportunities. Technology standards promote this classroom transformation by ensuring that digital-age students are empowered to learn, live, and work successfully today and tomorrow" (International Society for Technology in Education, 2007). As a result, the ISTE created the NETS standards for students. Among the six standards, one addresses digital citizenship.
Within this standard, students are expected to "advocate and practice safe, legal and responsible use of information and technology, exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and productivity, demonstrate personal responsibility for lifelong learning and exhibit leadership for digital citizenship" (International Society for Technology in Education, 2007).
By adhering to the NETs standards and understanding what it means to be digital citizens, students can use technology effectively, safely and productively within the walls of a classroom. As the educators and parents, we have to model for our students the true meaning of digital citizenship. As educators guide the students to become successful and responsible digital citizens at school, parents can guide their students as they participate in the digital world at home.
Within this standard, students are expected to "advocate and practice safe, legal and responsible use of information and technology, exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and productivity, demonstrate personal responsibility for lifelong learning and exhibit leadership for digital citizenship" (International Society for Technology in Education, 2007).
By adhering to the NETs standards and understanding what it means to be digital citizens, students can use technology effectively, safely and productively within the walls of a classroom. As the educators and parents, we have to model for our students the true meaning of digital citizenship. As educators guide the students to become successful and responsible digital citizens at school, parents can guide their students as they participate in the digital world at home.
Overview: What can you expect from this website?
The purpose of this website is to inform parents about the key components of digital citizenship including digital access, digital etiquette, and digital rights and responsibilities. Within each topic, parents gain an understanding of the components and the issues that they may encounter as they guide their children through the digital world. Additionally, there are videos and other resources that parents may find useful in understanding the topic of digital citizenship. As parents develop an understanding of digital citizenship, they can model for their students how to act responsibly when using technology and participating in the digital world.
Audience: Who can learn from this website?
Parents are a crucial aspect of educating the young minds of today's world. In order to effectively teach our students within the walls of our classroom, it is imperative that educators build a connection between the home and the school. With these home-school partnerships, parents and teachers can communicate and develop support for both aspects of a student's life, at home and at school. Students need to feel that their teachers and parents are working together to help them succeed. This website is designed as a way of building that home-school connection. As parents and educators work together in understanding the concept of digital citizenship, what it means to be a digital citizen and how to model this citizenship, they can successfully prepare students for the 21st century.
"Rules of the Road for Parents in a Digital Age"
Watch this video, "Rules of the Road for Parents in a Digital Age." In this brief video, parents are introduced to ten "Common Sense" rules to follow as they prepare their students to become active participants in the digital world (Rules of the Road for Parents in a Digital Age, 2010).
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Start Your Digital Citizenship Journey. Take the Pledge:
Parents, please take this pledge as a sign of your commitment to teaching your children about digital citizenship. Discuss the rules with your children and have them sign it as well. Congratulations, you are well are your way to preparing our 21st century citizens!
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Are You a Digital Citizen by Jessica Behrens is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.