When learning new technologies and ways to use them in the classroom, it is important to know and understand digital citizenship. This concept is used to teach students (and anyone using the internet) how to use technology in an appropriate and responsible way. Since I am a visual learner, I put together this infograph to show what all proper digital citizens must do.
There are many similarities and differences of digital citizenship to the traditional view of citizenship in our everyday lives. For example, just like in our everyday lives, the same general rules to citizenship apply to the digital world. You must be kind, courteous, and represent yourself in a respectable way. Just because you are behind a computer, does not mean these rules do not apply. You should not give out any personal information that you do not want others to find, just like you wouldn't hand your credit card and pin number to a complete stranger. Use common sense when posting just like you do when talking to someone face to face. Protect your reputation and the reputation of others you know which is the same as not spreading rumors or gossip about yourself or others. People are less likely to be aggressive and bully others in "real life." Do not think that you can hide behind your computer and act aggressively or bully others in the cyber world, this will come back to you and it can very negatively affect the others involved.
There are some differences to digital citizenship and everyday citizenship. One big difference is time. When you post or react to something on line, you have time to review your response and think it through before posting. In everyday life, you may not have this luxury which can cause you to over react or respond in an irrational way. Use this difference to your advantage! Take time to think through what you are about to post and to go through the list of digital citizenship rules.
When teaching digital citizenship and its importance, use common analogies like the ones I used in the above paragraph. Students understand why you would not give out your credit card information so link this back to giving out personal information online. Also use resources like videos of how digital baggage has caught up with people. Here is a link to one example and here is another useful video about digital baggage.
When we teach and implement new technologies into our classroom, it is imperative that we also teach digital citizenship. Not addressing and teaching this important subject to our students is a disservice to them and is leaving out a very important piece of any lesson involving technology.
There are some differences to digital citizenship and everyday citizenship. One big difference is time. When you post or react to something on line, you have time to review your response and think it through before posting. In everyday life, you may not have this luxury which can cause you to over react or respond in an irrational way. Use this difference to your advantage! Take time to think through what you are about to post and to go through the list of digital citizenship rules.
When teaching digital citizenship and its importance, use common analogies like the ones I used in the above paragraph. Students understand why you would not give out your credit card information so link this back to giving out personal information online. Also use resources like videos of how digital baggage has caught up with people. Here is a link to one example and here is another useful video about digital baggage.
When we teach and implement new technologies into our classroom, it is imperative that we also teach digital citizenship. Not addressing and teaching this important subject to our students is a disservice to them and is leaving out a very important piece of any lesson involving technology.
