Blog #3 Digital Citizenship

1. Why is it important to teach digital citizenship?

It is important to teach digital citizenship so that students can understand how to make appropriate choices while using a digital tool. It is also important for them to understand the importance of keeping information private. Students will also learn how to respect themselves and others while using their digital tool. They will learn the importance of not sharing their passwords with others and the importance of reporting any type of bullying they might see while using their device.  Finally, it is important to teach digital citizenship because students learn how to give credit to the sources they use. Students in classrooms are being exposed to all sorts of different digital tools that will help them learn in the classroom, therefore, it is important that they understand how to use these tools appropriately. 

1. How might you teach digital citizenship in an elementary classroom?

I might start a discussion with the class about using digital tools by asking them what they think some appropriate choices might be while using a digital tool. We would brainstorm as a class and I will write down ideas on the board. I would then lead into a discussion about bullying and how bullying is not an appropriate way to use their digital tool and that they must report any bullying. This can also lead into learning about respecting themselves and others while using their digital tool. I would try to find a book to read to the class that demonstrates what it means to respect yourself and others. As we begin to use these digital tools in the classroom the students will have to create passwords and we will discuss the importance of not sharing your password with anyone else. After we learned and discussed some of these things I might have my class create a story using StoryBird where they can demonstrate what they learned about digital citizenship. Once they create a StoryBird I will teach them how to credit the sources they used. 

Note: below is a link to Alpine School Districts policies on digital tools. 

Technology Services in Alpine School District