As someone who is on the journey to becoming a teacher while currently working as an EA in elementary schools, I ‘ve seen firsthand how connected our students already are. Even in the younger grades, kids are talking about what they’ve seen on YouTube, using iPads, playing online games, and experimenting with apps we didn’t even know existed until a month ago. Technology is deeply woven into their lives – and school should be a place where we help them navigate that.
In the article “Character Education for the Digital Age” Jason Ohler says,
“School is an excellent place to help kids become capable digital citizens who use technology not only effectively and creatively, but also responsibly and wisely.”
This really got me thinking, because honestly, he’s right. We can’t just block certain websites, ban phones, and hope that students magically learn how to be responsible online when they leave the classroom. The world they are growing up in demands more from us as educators. We need to help kids ask questions about the tech they’re using – not just how to use it, but why, when, and what it might mean for themselves and others.
The Digital Citizenship Education in Saskatchewan Schools guide agrees that we need to “rethink our idea of school”, and I couldn’t agree more. Using this guide for schools and educators along with Mike Ribble’s 9 Elements of Digital Citizenship, we can be empowered to create everyday lessons that embed digital citizenship rather than treating it like a one-time thing. When we teach teach digital citizenship this way, we’re not just saying “don’t do this” or “don’t go there” (anyone who has kids can tell you just how well that works – NOT), but we’re empowering them to become thoughtful, capable participants in an online world.
Blocking apps or banning devices might feel like the easiest solution, but it doesn’t prepare students for the world they’re already living in. Instead, we should be helping them navigate online spaces with intention, curiosity, and care – while they’re still in the safety of a classroom environment where mistakes can become teachable moments.
2 Comments
Payton Pugh
Hi Sky-Anne,
Your response is very powerful! I agree that banning students phones or certain websites is not going to benefit them in any way. Today’s world and the future are becoming more techy and it is being used for almost everything. We need to teach them how to use and give them opportunities to become more familiar with technology. We just need to teach students how to use it responsibly and wisely and it will be a great asset to them.
shaunna dunn
Thanks for the important reminder that “blocking apps or banning devices doesn’t prepare students for the world they’re already living in”.
When I reflect on my own interest in weaving digital citizenship into curriculum ….it’s done within a theoretical space. But the truth of it is, I have a very hard time as a parent teaching my own children about digital responsibility and engagement. We’ve tried lots of approaches, but when I see how my 10 year old so quickly defers to a screen or how moody they are when it’s time to step away….I often go back to the easiest option – no devices.
What I know, is that teaching (and learning) digital awareness, responsibility, and self reflective moderate use – take TIME and care and conversations and steady commitment. And I wonder, if these things would come easier in a classroom than they do at home? I wonder what your experience has been – being that you have the perspective of both a parent and someone working in classrooms?