The World We Live in Today

Why focus on digital citizenship? It’s the basics that go beyond the norms. During the first two weeks of school, educators are encouraged to teach procedures and routines in the classrooms. This goes beyond the signature of paper by a parent or an agreement from the student. This time is beneficial to teach manners of a digital world. (Hertz, 2011) focuses on the elementary classroom and provides background with resources available for educators to use as they introduce technology to their students.

We set norms, consents are signed, and we distribute laptops. However, it is taken for granted the lack of background knowledge students carry with them when entering the classroom. The world today teaches young children they can type anything and everything in the search bar. Because there is not an adult sitting on the other side of the phone or choice of technology, these children don’t stop to think of the repercussions they can face. Consequences both good and bad from the use of technology are to be shared with our students. (Davis, 2017) shares I want my students to know the “9 Key Ps” of digital citizenship. During the year, I touch on each of the points above with lessons and class discussions, but just talking is not enough. Students need the experience to become effective digital citizens.

Many times, we educate children in technology for the purposes of YouTube videos, Roblox, Tik Tok, and the list goes on. A 2-year-old is given a device, and we allow them to use for videos and ‘child approved’ websites. As parents, we block websites or place parental controls but is that the extent of the protection we offer our child. Parents and educators alike are provided with an abundance of resources to help teach our young children about the internet. Articles such as (Applied Educational Systems, Inc. n.d.)  States, when you show students that the Internet works via a sophisticated interconnection of digital tools, you set the stage to help them understand the next key elements of digital citizenship as well.

The student then enters elementary school, and because they know how to navigate websites and basic functionality of a device, we take for granted that they are aware of their digital citizenship. Sometimes, because of the heavy workload, we make sure our students can log in and use the program; we confirm a connection and stop right there. Michael Gorman shares his perspective on digital citizenship and offers resources teachers can use.

“I believe this is essential to the success of any e-learning, blended learning, and on-line learning program. It is important that educators teach and model proper digital citizenship. It is important that the school curriculum has digital citizenship standards embedded in the curriculum.” (Gorman, 2016)

Educators have the professional responsibility to teach digital citizenship. Looking into the future, we can create lifelong technological learners, creators, and problem-solvers who use technology for growth and success. Implementing some of, if not all tips and resources presented will get us that much closer to positive technological education, we want our elementary students to have.

 

Works Cited

Applied Educational Systems, Inc. (n.d.). What Is Digital Citenzenship? (And How Do You

Teach it?). Retrieved from https://www.aeseducation.com/career-rediness/wat-is-digital-citizenship

Davis. V. (2017, November 1). What Your Students Really Need to Know About Digital Citizenship. Retrieved from https://www.edutopia.org/digital-citenzenship-need-to-know-vicki-davis

Hertz, M. B. (2011, October 12). Teaching Digital Citizenship in the Elementary Classroom. Retrieved from https://www.edutopia.org/blog/digital-citizenship-mary-beth-hertz

We the Digital Citizens. (2020, April 3). Retrieved from https://www.commonsense.org/education/digital-citizenship/lesson/we-the-digital-citizens

10 Digital Citizenship Resources – Wen in the Classroom Part 3. (2017, February 27). Retrieve From https:..www.k12blueprint.com/blog/Michael-gorman/10-digital-citizenship-Resources-web-classroom-part-3