When I think about how I will include Digital Citizenship in my Future Classroom, the word that comes to my mind is balance. As we all can agree, technology in the classroom can be helpful and contribute to our students learning in many ways. However, we have also seen the potential downsides like sextortion and blackmailing. I want to teach my future students that we can use technology responsibly and as a tool, but also warn them of the potential dangers and educate them on what it means to be a responsible digital citizen.
I read the assigned article about the Nine Elements of digital citizenship. In my classroom there are two laws that I would focus in on to teach my students about.
1) Digital Health & Welfare
It is very evident that children and teens are glued to their devices. I think it is key to educate students on finding time to disconnect from their screens and do other things that are beneficial to their mental health. Learning how to balance our needs is an important concept. Phones and apps are designed to be addictive, so if we don’t teach kids about balancing our health needs with screen time, their mental and physical health will see a decline.
2) Digital Etiquette
This is an important concept to learn for many reasons. If students learn proper digital etiquette, it will serve them in their personal and professional lives. By learning how to be appropriate and professional online, it will help them get jobs easier in the future. It will also help them personally by avoiding situations like sextortion and blackmail.
1.5 Lives?
I also read the article about whether we should be teaching kids to have one or two digital lives. I think that the two lives approach is okay, but completely getting rid of technology in schools can be problematic for a few reasons. Number one, kids are missing out on the opportunity to use technology in an effective way to improve their learning. Number two, students aren’t being taught how to use technology responsibly, so they are more at risk for thinks like sextortion and cyberbullying.
The one life approach sees technology as something that should be fully engrained in the classroom and students will be taught how to use it safely and effectively. While I like the idea behind this approach, I personally do not want to have a fully digital classroom. Since students spend so much time on their devices at home, I feel it is important to have parts of the day that are allocated to being off of screens and socializing with each other and their teacher. Maybe I’m old school, but I see this as being the best way forward. My ideal approach would be 1.5 lives. Somewhere in the middle between no technology in schools and being fully integrated with technology in schools. I would use it occasionally and teach students how to use it responsibly, but also make sure that we have blocks of time in the day where kids can disconnect and get important face to face time with each other.
I love your 1.5 perspective! I definitely think moderation with technology in schools will make technology relationships much healthier for students.
Your perspective on digital citizenship in the classroom is well thought out and balanced. I appreciate how you emphasize both the benefits and risks of technology while advocating for responsible use.
Your 1.5 lives approach is a great middle ground—embracing technology as a tool for learning while ensuring students develop social skills and have opportunities for offline interactions. It’s refreshing to see a perspective that prioritizes balance rather than an all-or-nothing approach.
Overall, I think your future students will greatly benefit from your thoughtful approach to digital citizenship!