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.