Digital Citizenship: Reaching the Elusive Middle School Student

Digital Citizenship is one of the most important aspects of living a digital life. Many people have no idea what Digital Citizenship is or how to be a good Digital Citizen. One of the hardest groups to reach for teaching this idea is middle school students. They lack real world examples to grasp why it is so important. High school students and adults can be reached by explaining how a lack of good Digital Citizenship can cost you a college education, scholarships, and even a job. Middle school students do not understand those examples because that is not a part of their world.

I am no longer a classroom teacher, but I lead professional development. To help reach the Middle School students I am will be conducting PD sessions with the staff to assist them with implementing aspects of Digital Citizenship into their curriculum. I will assist them in incorporating Digital Citizenship in the bell ringers, their assignments, and other such areas. I think the objective should be to present the information without shoving it down their throats.

I will expose my students to the possible side effects of sharing pictures or  random thoughts that might be embarrassing. Their foot prints look cute and clean when they are young but as they age they might not want to share with them with the universe!

Digital Citizenship

Since I have mostly given lessons on issues related to digital citizenship and research (i.e., copyright and citation), I realized today how important it is to focus on students' understanding their responsibility online.  Following suggestions from my colleagues, I decided to use Common Sense Media's Digital Citizenship curriculum.  I'll begin with 3rd grade, since their social studies curriculum is dedicated specifically to "community," I'll use the "Rings of Responsibility" lesson.  It addresses responsibilities to self, friend and family, and larger community.

The important thing that I agree with in the other blog posts is that students need a real world application.  What has happened to other students, adults and corporations as far as stolen identity and privacy.  Incorporating digital citizenship expectations at the beginning of the school year and addressing on a regular basis (example when teachable moments occur).
I am really eager to learn more about the Digital Passport Activities and the Common Sense Media scope and sequence.  I  plan to incorporate these in my class rules and procedures in a class website.
As we go through the year having the students use digital media to reflect what they have learned about digital citizenship.

Implementing DC

I will begin the school year by teaching digital citizenship using the Common Sense Media lessons to cover internet safety, cyber bullying, digital footprint, copyright, & plagiarism. I will assign daily bell ringers & require integrated opportunities for them to provide proof of their learning, example find information & cite sources correctly, quizzes on Quizlet, etc.

I plan to incorporate elements of digital citizenship into my everyday curriculum.  For instant, introduce the concept/element of digital footprints to my 6th grade students.  Ask students to plan a brief lesson to re-teach the concept (e.g. what it is, give 3 examples using images, videos) to younger siblings or children. Finally, students will create a feedback show-and-tell on the concept and sibling/children's reaction to their digital footprints using digital tool of choice for submission.

N. Ballard

How to Implement Digital Citizenship

In the past I have used netsmartz.org to introduce topics relevant to digital citizenship.  Today I learned about A LOT. I plan to use Common Sense Media to become certified in teaching Digital Citizenship and I'm so excited!

Digital Citizenship in the Classroom - What can we do?

I think digital citizenship is right along the lines with social skills. Some kids have a lack of social skills, for example saying “thank you" or excuse me.  Digital citizenship needs to be taught early.

I have used Common Sense (https://www.commonsensemedia.org/) in our afterschool program. This is a good time to use this curriculum because students can focus just on this subject and not be distracted with other activities that goes on during the day.

Here are some ideas I got from other teachers.

• You can have students to teach each other the dos and don’ts of using technology.
• Us common sense curriculum because it has separate curriculum for each grade level. You won’t be using the same curriculum each year.
• Take it one step at a time. At the beginning of the year, introduce the basics. Then each time you use technology in the classroom, review the basics along with introducing an additional rule.
• As you go to the library or computer lab, review your digital citizenship rules.
• Post your rules in your classroom.
• Have students create their own digital citizenship rules along with yours. Have them you a web 2.0 tool or app to present the rules to the class.
• Use Netsmartz curriculum ( http://www.netsmartz.org/Parents )to teach digital citizenship.
• Search Pinterest on videos covering real life situations, such as cyber bullying, sexting, dating, etc.

Digital citizenship awareness is becoming more and more serious. It needs to be a curriculum integrated into a core subject. By doing this, you will ensure that all the students in your school are becoming aware of digital citizenship. This will help them to become responsible digital citizens in today’s society.

Digital Citizenship with Mr. Pug

As I implement digital citizenship in the classroom, I would certainly use some of the ideas from the "5 Reasons You Should Be Teaching Digital Citizenship" article, but not necessarily using real student examples.  A past incident in our school, in which an administrator pulled up a student Facebook account detailing that student's participation in illegal activities and contacted the parent, resulted in the parent accusing the school of violating her students rights and embarrassing their family.  It was a bit of a mess.  With that in mind, I think I'd prefer to use fictional Facebook personas - perhaps "Mr. Pug" pictured here - you can see his potential "Fakebook" page below. 

Real "student comments" could be incorporated into the fictional page anonymously and then discussed as a class with a bit more discretion that could be achieved in pulling up an actual student profile.  Using a fictional profile, student can explore (perhaps with chagrin) examples of internet publications and social media and explore the concepts of digital citizenship in a non threatening environment. 

Digital Citizenship

This year I would like to use the Common Sense Media Digital Literacy tools as part of my curriculum.  I still would like to do some of the things I tried last year but provide a few more options such as creating a short video, game, or  comic that shows what they learned.  I think I might also have a few students create tutorials for teachers to use in their classrooms.

Digital Citizenship

I generally teach digital citizenship to my students right before going online for the first time each year.  We create a chart about what we know about how to behave online.  While going through lessons, we add to our poster about how to act online.  Every time we get online, we do a quick review.  We have a computer teacher on my campus who also teaches about this as well, so my students already know a lot about it from her class.  Once she leaves, however, we (those of us instructing students) really have to make sure we're doing it.

I really would like to do some of the Common Sense Media lessons for my students.  I want to make sure that what they are learning is comprehensive and age appropriate.

Digital Citizenship

I will begin the year with a discussion on digital citizenship and then have the students post their thoughts through padlet (using padlet will allow me to monitor posts). I will also send home a digital citizenship contract that both the student and the parent will be required to sign. The contract will list a set of guidlines, appropriate to the student's age, that will give parameters for participation in the classroom digital conversations.
We will reiterate the parameters on digital citizenship whenever the students are required to interact on the web. This will give me the opportunity to extend information and develop a continuing discussion on digital citizenship with my students.
I would also like to approach my administration with a challenge to have the school become certified through Common Sense Media. With permission I will assign certification requirements to my students and have a contest among my classes to see which class is the first to become fully certified (all students in the class complete the requirements for their certification).

Digital Citizenship

I think it's important to teach the responsibilities of digital citizenship within the classroom.  Students as young as elementary can be taught best practices and the consequences/results that can occur when using the internet.  They need to understand that the internet is a public place and what you put post/do can leave a digital imprint for the rest of their lives.  Teaching digital citizenship should not be taught just at the beginning of the year, but as a continuing theme throughout the year.

This is a test of blogging.

When I teach only 60% of the time...

... because I only have students for 60% of the time.  (Not that I'm only giving 60%).  Students are with me MWF for content in Professional Communications (fall class) and Principles of Human Services (spring class).  During TR, students are with my co-teacher doing AVID tutorials.  I can use the Common Sense Media and/or Digital Passport as flipped lessons.  It allows students to learn about the digital citizenship concepts outside of my classroom.  Then, during my class we have have in-depth discussions related to the concept using philosophical chairs or Socratic seminar (both AVID strategies).  Students could also go through the content with their parents.  I can follow-up on the Common Sense Media curriculum when students are using technology. 

Digital Citizen ship (Reality or Fantasy)

With digital citizenship, you need to make it count. Because, technology itself always seem as something fun and something that isn't exactly concrete, it's hard to get children to recognize that it can have real world consequences.

This is where digital citizenship comes into play.

Students recognizing the real world application of something that seems unrealistic.

If you remember, all throughout your life, you are told that television and movies aren't real. Well, children believe the same thing about their life or actions on the internet. It's not real, no one will be hurt. It's the internet, if they don't want to know about it, they simply shouldn't read it. If I send it to my friends, no one else will see it.

These are common thoughts.

But, when teaching digital citizenship it's probably best to start them thinking about the internet more so like the News or TMZ.

The news even though it's on television is real. The things they see have real world application, and effects people in real time. So, things that appear on the news should be taken seriously. Well, their life on the internet is the same way. Anything they post is like the news, and everyone is going to see it and take it seriously.

So, the seriousness of this should be stressed first and foremost.

Thus, one activity towards learning digital citizen ship that I want to teach students is the sticky note internet post.

Students are to write every hurtful insult (that is allowable in school), and place it on a sticky note. Then the students are to place them on themselves.

The students will of course think that part is funny, but make sure that the sticky notes are places only on themselves. They are not allowed to post it on anyone else, even though students on the internet will more likely place such comments on someone else.

Then ask them if they would like to walk down the hallway with it on?

You may get varies different responses, and some will even assure you that they will.

Now ask, if they will walk down the street with it on, and into the supermarket, and if they will keep that same sticky note on themselves until they go to college and get married.

They need to understand both, how embarrassing some things can be, and the fact that things posted on the internet will be there for a long time.

You can then use technology to further this post by going to clips for American funniest home videos, or even using such connections as children that have literally grown up on television.

The digital world forms an identity about you. Letting the students see a video that shows how a digital identity is formed might make them more cautions, and then have them literally come up with their own articles and do presentations on the rules of digital citizen ship for the class will help make sure that the students are actually invested in the lesson.

This should be done, in one form or another by every teacher.

The more it's stated, the more likely the students will understand the need.

Also, if you can convince your district, it is very important that the parents are also given this same sort of education. If students feel that being digital responsible doesn't extend to the world beyond school, the problems that come from irresponsible behavior dealing with the digital world will not be solved.

I believe one of my first lessons will be to teach my students about digital footprint longevity by showing them the youtube video photofate.  Next I will have my students respond to the video in a think share pair, followed by a class discussion.  I may show them additional videos regarding unexpected consequences of digital posts and have students create a small group sketch note, meograph, pixton or spreakerDJ.  Each group will present their presentation to the class.  The class will vote on the best presentation which will be uploaded to the school cloud and shown to the entire campus during lunch.  In this way, students get to create original presentations showcasing the potential consequences of inappropriate digital faux pas that their peers may view. 

Library Orientation

I will incorporate Digital Citizenship in the orientation classes at the beginning of the school year.  I will copy the poster "All Digital Citizens" and be sure it is posted in every classroom above the computers.  When I teach the students how to research, I always talk about plagiarism and the laws of copyright.  Having seen the information today, I realize that I haven't even scratched the surface.  I "figured" that the classroom teachers were covering it is class but now realize that the teachers need to learn this as well.

I am planning to have a BYOD training for parents at the beginning of the school year.  I will definitely include Digital Citizenship within their training sessions.  In general, parents don't have a clue what digital citizenship entails.  It is my job to change that!

In my school the general education classroom teachers and librarian do the lessons in the classroom.  When they are in the resource classroom I review what was taught in their classroom.  Since all my groups are small, it is easy for me to monitor what they are doing.  This coming year I will try to incorporate what we have learned by presenting some mini-lessons.  Having only 45 minutes to teach each subject limits me.

Digital Citizenship Starts Early!

As an elementary school librarian digital citizenship is already part of the job. Based on learning today, I'm realizing that a one-time unit for digital citizenship is no longer enough. My students are already digital citizens before they come to kindergarten (yes, Santa brought them an iPad already) so not only should responsible digital use be a part of every grade, it needs to be on-going (every class, K-12 and beyond)

Luckily in Frisco ISD the computer specialist already has built-in units and lessons on digital citizenship (in addition to what the library covers) so I am not alone in teaching the responsible use of online resources. I'm planning to build my citizenship repertoire by adding mini-lessons on digital citizenship EVERY TIME we use an online tool or conduct a research unit, and will be encouraging classroom teachers to do the same.

In addition to the great ideas on Common Sense Media ready-to-go (can't wait to try these), fabulous Pinterest has provided these other ideas:

Digital Citizenship Resources from The Book Fairy

Create a Digital Citizenship Display

And More

I plan to use the different student response strategies in different stages of instructions as well as to use them it to enrich student learning.

Teaching Digital Responsibility to My Seniors

My seniors will be reminded about the responsibilities that come along with working or playing online.  This includes the consequences of today, tomorrow, and forever. They have to remember that even if they are "kidding" with their friends, it can be used against them later in life. The consequences may include identity theft, bullying, kidnapping, or simple embarrassment when they apply for a job or to a college in the future.

Digital Citizenship

Digital citizenship is a subject which must be addressed with our students on a regular basis in order to help our students to become habitually responsible digital community members. I plan to use examples of everyday appropriate behaviors that they are already familiar with and apply them to a digital community setting in order to model what it should look like. We can address different scenarios as they arise and teach the basics one step at a time, then apply and reinforce as many times as needed. This gives the students a framework to guide them.

The first thing I will do this school year is share everything I learned about digital citizenship with our school's technology teacher. Because she works will all of the students on campus, I feel it is important that she helps our students to be responsible digital citizens.

In my class, I am going to make sure that the posters I received today are placed near the computer and tablets. I plan on using blogs next year so I want my students to think before they respond to anything that I or other students have posted. It is important for students to know that once something is posted online it is there forever.

Digital citizenship needs to be a proactive not reactive program. It needs to be ongoing and not an information dump at the beginning of school and later forgotten. It should be revisited whenever the topic warrants, ie when something comes up in the media about breeches of good digital citizenship and its ramifications.

Digital Citizenship

I teach this as a unit topic. We explore the varies elements regarding being a responsible "digital citizen".  The students will use various web tools to show what they know.

Digital Citizenship

I am planning on implementing lessons from Common Sense Media with all of my classes.  I do think this is very important part of each student's educational growth and safety.

Digital Citizenship

I have many ideas that can promote the idea of digital citizenship within my classroom.  On another note, my district is struggling with repercussions of poor digital citizenship by our student population.  I even have some ideas to pitch to my principal. Some ideas to pitch include becoming a Signature School through Common Sense Media.  Digital citizenship promotion with in my classroom will be needed to implement discussions on collaborative notes and anything else I decide to implement to create higher learning through blended learning.  

Everpoll with be very useful to create a responses and promote discussions.  Students will need to be aware of their digital footprint.  Some of the videos with the articles could be used to promote a comparison collaboration of the video's message.

Digital Citizenship Daily Reminder

A good start to digital citizenship is a daily reminder.  A daily tip about digital citizenship it a good way is getting students to remember and be mindful of what they do on the internet. For me being in a hospital classroom it is important for my student to remember and be mindful about what they tell people. For my kids the biggest worry that they have it that it will get out that they have been in the hospital for an eating disorder.  So helping my student to be mindful of what they tell their peers is important. For me work with student in different grades I have to make sure that all of my student are aware that they have to be mindful of what they post to the internet and what they put  in an email to a teacher. 

I will be using Common Sense Media registered to become a cert educator in September.  I teach so many different grade levels I will be using the visuals for my younger students the poster of the child with the body parts and create a song to go along for them to easily remember how to be a digital citizen.

digital citizenship

I plan on reinforcing what students are taught during computer class.  Our computer tech does a great job teaching digital responsibility. Inquiry, research, and questioning are a big part of our day.  My goal is to guide them step by step through that process while safeguarding their digital footprints.

Digital citizenship

I have many ideas about how I will implement Digital Citizenship in my classroom. I would like to incorporate  Quadblogging in the classroom; this will be a perfect opportunity to discuss Digital Citizenship. I believe I will also have something prepared for my students on the first day of school; I will introduce the ideas that I have for the year and then I will discuss Digital Citizenship. I will have a document and I will have this information in the procedures in my classroom that I send home. I will add to my district website and have some links to articles. 
I would like to use Everpoll in the classroom and that will be another time for me to discuss Digital Citizenship. 
Also, I am writing up a report for my principle that will have suggestions where we could teach this; character Ed class and computer class. I will be strongly recommending that all of our teachers attend this class or at least one from each subject and that my principle attend the administrators class.

In my position, Educational Support Specialist, for 11 campuses (PreK-12), I plan to implement the information that I've learned on Digital Citizenship by training all admin and teachers in how:
1) What Digital Citizenship is
2) Why it's important to know and understand DC as an Educator
3) Why it's important to know and understand as a student
4) How and what to teach students about DC
5) Provide resources to all teachers
6) Support teachers in PLCs with integrating in all content areas
7) Provide ongoing support to admin, teachers, and students throughout the year

Since we live in a digital world, and it is not always taught at home, I will incorporate digital citizenship sessions into our regular class time at the beginning of the school year to make sure my students understand the positive or negative implications to their digital actions.

Digital Citizenship: the key to a successful digitally fluent classroom

Digital Citizenship: the key to a successful digitally fluent classroom

By Martha Bowden, Computer Teacher

Privacy, Safety, Security, Communication, Digital Footprint, and Copyright are all elements of Digital Citizenship. Common Sense Media leads the way in provided research based resources to classroom teachers in order to assist them when integrating digital citizenship principles into lesson plans.

In addition to resources, CSM offers an educator certification and a signature school designation for those teachers and schools who place great emphasis on implementing intentional digital citizenship skills into existing lesson plans.

Common Sense Signature School Digital Citizenship Certification requires the following:

“Teach five lessons (one full unit) from the curriculum (or all of Digital Passport) to students in two separate grade levels (e.g., 6th grade and 7th grade).

Teach three lessons to students in three separate grade levels (e.g., 6th, 7th, and 8th grade).”2.

The program offers a comprehensive Scope and Sequence to ensure the teacher matches skills in an age appropriate manner. They also provided a web based program called Digital Passport. This web based platform provides five activities for students to master via an online game format. Each activity has at least three levels and each increases in difficulty as students develop proficiency.

CSM also asks teachers to share the activities with colleges and to encourage parents to register and utilize the parent resources they provide.

Common Sense Media also provides additional resources at no cost to teachers and schools: Posters, Toolkit, Assessments

This past year my school completed the requirements to be listed on the CSM website as a Signature School.  Next year, our goal as a school is for every grade to complete a unit each quarter. In addition, my goal is to incorporate some aspect of ISTE standard #5 during each class period. This standard asks teachers to:

a. Advocate and practice safe, legal and responsible use of information and technology.

b. Exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and productivity.

c. Demonstrate personal responsibility for lifelong learning.

d. Exhibit leadership for digital citizenship.3.

Completion of the Digital Passport activities yields a certificate of completion for each students. The activities themselves spark discussions and talking points in class and among students. One idea I hope to implement is to incorporate word studies of key terms connected to digital citizenship and create a choice of activities to coincide with each term. The younger students will focus on a new term each 2 - 3 weeks, but the older students should grapple with a new term each week. This will allow for the conversation to remain open and the reinforcement of these concepts with each lesson should translate best practice into action in the lives of our students. The goal is to make sure it sticks.

Works Cited

2. "Common Sense Media Certified School." Reviews & Age Ratings. Web. 14 July 2014. <https://www.commonsensemedia.org/educators/certification-school>.

3. “ISTE NetS” Web. 14 July 2014.

http://www.iste.org/docs/pdfs/20-14_ISTE_Standards-S_PDF.pdf

Delectable Discussions

After tasting each course on the menu, reflect on the following questions and respond to at least two other posts from your peers. 

• What communication and collaboration tools did you explore?
• In what ways can you help your students improve their communication and collaboration skills?
• In what ways can you as a teacher use communication and collaboration tools to enhance your own learning?
• Did you have any “aha” moments?
• What was your favorite part today’s training?