11 Tools #10 Digital Citizenship

1. Discuss at least three things you would want to make sure your students understand about being good digital citizens.
Safety first! Students must understand how to be safe users of digital opportunities. They must also understand how to seek help if they feel that their safety has been compromised.
How to - Students must be given the tools to learn to choose/filter what they find digitally. They must learn to check and recheck sources and not to assume that just because it's on the web that it's true. They must be thoughtful digital consumers.
Manners do count - Students must learn the etiquette of the digital world. Just like a face to face conversation, there are accepted web manners that should be observed.
2. Share at least one of the resources mentioned above or on the Ed Tech website that you plan to use instructionally.
There are two I like - Cool Cat has some clever ideas that can be modified for student use (with credit given to the source!) and the Texas School Safety Center is a good, concise resource for all.
3. Explain briefly how you would "teach" the idea of digital citizenship to your students.
Demonstration on a daily basis and reminders as lessons are presented is a part of the 'teaching'. Demonstrations of good and not so good digital citizenship can be done in such a way that is is interesting, clever and still makes a point - use the digital tools to show the students. Also, noting how students express themselves during digital assignments and providing feedback is a way to guide their use.
4. Explain briefly how you plan to share the idea of digital citizenship with your parents.
A class website with posted short lessons and links to information is a quick way to have parents see how digital citizenship is being addressed in class.