Each year it is part of my job to insure all staff understand the important roll they play in keeping our students safe on line. This year I created an online course where they participated in discussing articles with their peers, created lessons to teach students about digital citizenship and many other activities relating to the dangers of being online and how to keep yourself and students safe. They also had to complete an online test demonstrating their mastery of the subject.

The importance of teach students the proper etiquette more than likely is not happening at home therefore schools must step up and lead the way. In the days before all the social media it was hard to access personal comments. Today it is easy for employers to view what you post on social media. Although you may erase the comment more than likely you did not prevent others from seeing or copying the work.

How often do we here of a breach of security where personal information is stolen from major companies around the world. It is mind boggling how easy it is for hackers to steal our personal information.

Every month our district publishes a district newsletter, It is my job to only share new technology but remind/share digital citizenship with the faculty and staff. Additionally, we publish a paper & digital county wide newsletter and I always try to include valuable information for ways parents can keep their child safe online.

Digital Citizenship

As an introduction to Digital Citizenship, I would teach the lesson using the “All Digital Citizens” poster.  I would like to hear the students’ voice on the topic and this will determine the direction of the lesson.

1.       Protect Private Information for themselves and others.  I have seen students log in a friend using their information and I have to remind them that is not responsible.  I remind them that anything that is done using their log in information is attached to their name.  So it’s best not to share.

2.       Respect themselves and others in online communities.  With verbal communication, it may be easy to say “I apologize”, or “I didn’t say.”  Hear say is inadmissible in court, but written/digital communication is proof.  It is difficult to take back a message after the send button is hit.  Growing up we were told to think before you speak, but we must think before your submit.

3.       Stay safe online.  The digital world is just as danger as the real world.  If it feels wrong or uncomfortable then it probably is.

4.       Stand up to cyberbullying.  Bullying is wrong..period...no matter how it is done.

5.       Balance the time.  Many of are addicted to technology and sometimes it good to set aside a time each day without it. This is something that I need to practice as I preach it.  One day at a time… or one minute at a time.

The Third Element: Digital Communication

When we talk about digital communication many thing come to mind. On the book “Digital Citizenship in Schools” by Mike Ribble for ISTE, digital communication is defined as “the electronic exchange of information”. On this book, Ribble explains how cellphones, social media, and things like texting had changed the way people communicate. Every time something new comes to live it brings it own set of rules and ways to manage it with etiquette.  Many of our students, even the younger ones, are already developing their digital footprint. That is why is important for them to understand what this entitles.

Is important that we as educators present to our students that there is a platform for everything on the internet. They also need to understand that whatever you post  into the web is permanent. Not because you erase it doesn’t mean its gone!

This is something I would most likely teach my students. I found a wonderful and cute video from Disney and Common Sense media that goes over the “Rules of the Road” for internet posting. The video is clear and simple and explains precisely the do’s and don’ts of the web.

This would work as a hook to a lesson in internet safety and netiquette. 

Digital Citizenship Requires a Positive Attitude

As I reviewed the ISTE Standards, there was one standard under Digital Citizenship that stuck out to me as something I want my students to learn.

Exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and productivity.

This sticks out to me for a couple of reasons. First, in my own experience, a positive attitude towards technology has greatly benefited me my entire life.  Secondly, I'm a strong believer in the power of a positive attitude to make anything better.

What I like about this standard is that it is one best taught through modeling, practice, and reinforcement. In my classroom I use a myriad of technologies to make my classroom function smoothly. My students get to see me use all these technologies to enhance their classroom experiences. They enjoy when they see me pull out my smartphone to document a positive behavior in ClassDojo. Surprisingly, they even enjoy taking quizzes so long as they get to use their Plicker Cards to give responses. By seeing me embrace and use technology in ways they have never seen, they develop their own positive attitudes towards the use of technology for learning and productivity.

In addition to me modeling a positive attitude, I think that rewarding students for using technology to collaborate and learn can lead to more positive attitudes. For example, games can be created around using technology. Smart phones can be used to go on scavenger hunts for information. Students could see who can find things faster. Students could collaborate to create a Google Doc together that they could use on a quiz. There are countless ideas for rewarding students for using their technology to enhance their own learning.

I would love to read opinions on this standard and would love to hear how others might approach fostering a positive attitude towards technology in students.

Necessary Digital Citizenship discussion

I have always discussed with my students about various digital citizenship issues and their digital footprints. We use iPads in my classroom everyday and many students share an iPad throughout the day so having people "mess" with their work when they do not sign out of google drive has been a difficult learning experience for some. Unfortunately, over the past couple of weeks, they have gotten many very necessary lessons and lectures on digital etiquette. The students in our school have been using an app in which they can leave "anonymous" notes about the people around them which has caused a problem. They have found that this app is not so "anonymous" after neighboring schools found it necessary to contact the app company and get releases of names and phone numbers. This was definitely an eye opening experience for many students involved.

Digital Etiquette from the Start

The foundation for Digital Etiquette needs to be laid when students first start school, in pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten.  My students and I have discussed the importance of technology, and how we can use different kinds of technology, such as ipads and computers, to learn and explore the world around us.  A lot of my preschoolers are already very familiar with different kinds of technology, and even already use ipads.   I have already talked to my preschoolers about the importance of Usernames and Passwords. We have discussed how they should keep their username and password a secret, and the problems that can be caused by giving out usernames and passwords to other people, even their friends.  I also have Technology as one of my centers in the classroom, so we have also discussed how to use and navigate the internet.  My students are expected to work on specific educational websites such as Starfall and ABC Literacy. One of our technology rules is that students must inform the teacher when they accidentally go to another website other than the one that they are supposed to be working on.  

Digital Etiquette

Our students participate in the Reasoning Minds math program.  When I introduce the mailbox building in RM City, I will discuss digital etiquette.  As I introduce the functions of the mailbox building, I will reference the "Best Practices of Digital Citizenship" poster as well as the "All Digital Citizens" poster.  I will highlight the practices that pertain to writing messages to Genie and teachers.  Then, I will show four examples of messages that demonstrate digital etiquette.  I believe it is also important to remind students that someone is intercepting messages to Genie.  Thus, there is a digital footprint created when students choose to send digital messages.