Digital Citizenship!!
Ribble’s 1st point Digital Access is probably the most important of all nine elements. Without equal access to technology students become immediately behind their peers. If teachers expect students to use and access technology outside the classroom, most likely at home, there will be a vast division of haves and have nots. Not only will hardware be a problem but less access to wifi will also decrease a student’s ability to access. WIthout an equal access to both, the division because of social economic status will put economically challenged families at even greater risks.
In respect to Digital Commerce every school district should have enough funding to provide technology to supplement those geographical areas where students do not have personal devices. It is not enough to have technology available only at schools but students need to have devices in hand to be able to use them after school hours at home. All areas of the curriculum can be improved if this is accomplished.
Digital Communication and Collaboration is important so that educators, students and parents can be partners in the progression of the educational process. The immediate correspondence between all the groups is important and can benefit learning. This electronic correspondence can be the first step in demonstrating to students how technology can be beneficial for their learning and understanding of their progress and struggles.
Digital Etiquette can be threaded throughout the grades and the curriculum. It would be very simple to begin in kindergarten by relating how we act in person is the same as how we act online. As children get older their access to technology increases and so should students’ lessons about responsibility online. This area flows directly into Digital Fluency because as they are more involved with technology they will become more fluent. It is the school’s task to lead students towards using more technology to improve the quality of their work. This is also a part of Digital Health and Welfare because if students know how to behave online and can use it wisely they will be less likely to be taken advantage of and will be able to spot difficulties or even predators.
Digital Law would be taught and understood in the older students. By understanding the previous elements, digital law would be more specific and realistic lessons that deal with real life situations. Digital Rights and Responsibility and Digital Security and Privacy are both areas that also would be taught at higher levels. Students would begin to have an understanding of how and when they use technology can impact not only their learning but the safety of themselves and others.
Almost all elements of digital citizenship can be taught at all levels. It is important to continue to learn and review these areas each month in school. Technology is a rapidly moving, forever changing area that teachers need to stay in front of their students.
About The Author
