As a future math and science teacher, I believe digital citizenship will be essential for my classroom culture. In a world where students are constantly connected, it’s essential to integrate digital education in the classroom to help them become responsible and ethical users. While math and science may not seem like the most applicable subjects for digital citizenship lessons, they actually offer decent opportunities to integrate these elements.
Digital Access is what I feel I need to be aware of the most as a teacher. Equity in access to technology isn’t just about whether students have a device; it’s about the kind of access they have, in and out of school. In my classroom, I want to ensure that no student is left behind due to limited connectivity or resources. This might mean building in flexible deadlines, providing handouts as homework as a math teacher, or having digital assignments be group assignments to increase the likelihood of at-home digital accessibility for science projects. When students feel included, they can fully participate in digital learning.
Digital Law is crucial for students to understand. In my classrooms, I will warn my students of the dangers of digital law and the trouble they can get in if they are caught. From an educational standpoint, it is critical for students to be familiar with plagiarism, especially in a science classroom. Unfortunately, plagiarism isn’t the only thing students need to steer clear of. It isn’t uncommon for students to be introduced to sexting. They are at an age where they want to try new things, but some of those decisions that may seem like nothing can have dire consequences.
Digital Communication and Collaboration are naturally important for group efforts. Math and science have been increasingly reliant on collaboration through shared platforms and digital tools. Group projects using tools such as Google Slides or Canva will provide students a chance to learn how to work respectfully and effectively in online spaces. I will also encourage tone-awareness in digital communication, especially when giving feedback or asking questions, reinforcing that our online voices matter just as much as our spoken ones.
Digital Etiquette is another area I’ll emphasize, especially in terms of how students interact during group assignments or online discussions. The digital environment often creates a false sense of detachment, which can lead to misunderstandings or even conflict. As the article “Character Education for the Digital Age” suggests, teaching character online means being proactive, guiding students before problems arise, not just reacting afterward. Establishing norms for online conduct will help students navigate these situations with empathy and professionalism.
Digital Security and Privacy are particularly important in science. If a student clicks on the wrong link or ad, it would not be a surprise to get a virus on the device they are using. I will also teach students how to manage their digital footprints and understand the importance of protecting personal and academic information by discussing how to create strong passwords, recognize scams, and why it’s risky to overshare your personal information, even in educational platforms.
By integrating these elements, I hope to help students navigate the digital world with the same responsibility they bring to their academic work.