Thing #11 - Digital Citizenship

Digital citizenship is a very important part of every child’s education in this increasingly technological world. Teachers and librarians need to not only teach the critical components of digital citizenship, but more importantly, they need to model it in their every day activities too. I agree with Vicki Davis (the Cool Cat Teacher Blog) when she commented that you cannot teach this concept in a one-time sheep-dip effort. Instruction needs to start at the earliest age and continue on throughout a child’s education. The concepts of digital citizenship permeate all subject areas and all grade levels. I think Rhonnda’s Reflections Blog also made an interesting point about the use of filters and restricting students from accessing certain sites. She stated that having adults make decisions on what to filter out only prohibits students from learning how to identify and screen out the bad for themselves, especially when they are on computers outside of school where filters may not be present. Both the Cool Cat Teacher Blog and Mike Ribble’s Digital Citizenship Website outlined critical elements of Digital Citizenship that included topics such as digital etiquette, safety, information literacy and learning strategies. Here are the areas that I will stress to students in my lessons: the importance of validating your sources when researching – don’t believe everything your read (i.e. tree octopi!); use multiple sources - not just the first one you find (i.e. Google!); be polite and respectful in your communications online (no flame wars!); protect your identity and your computer from viruses by being cautious with your personal information and passwords; and obey the laws relative to copyrights and plagiarism. I think I will also stress the importance of finding the right balance between technology use and face-to-face interpersonal relations. Children need time off the Internet to develop social skills and to get sufficient physical activity and exercise. I’m concerned that students are spending too much time sitting in front of a computer screen playing in virtual worlds, chatting on social networks or completing 11.5 Things assignments!