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Bringing Digital Citizenship into the Classroom
The Internet is a fundamental part of how kids learn. They use online research journals, educational games, and even social media sites to explore new subjects. Schools teach kids how to use these tools, but they also have to teach them how to use the tools responsibly. NetSmartz spoke with primary educator Janet Elias about how she has been tackling this challenge in her classroom.
Teaching the digital basics
Ms. Elias takes her role as a technology facilitator very seriously. She recognizes that her students’ increased access to the Internet offers more opportunities – and more opportunity for trouble.
“My students are all ‘digital natives’ which means they have NEVER known a life without technology in it. Therefore as teachers, we have a great responsibility to teach these little ones how to keep a good digital footprint throughout their childhood and into their tweens and then to adulthood.” – Janet Elias, Technology Facilitator, PS 46
Maintaining a “good digital footprint” is a key component of being a responsible digital citizen. Ms. Elias helps her students learn this lesson with simple activities. For example, she shows students a tube of toothpaste and lets each one squeeze some out. She emphasizes that the toothpaste can’t go back into the tube, just as information shared online is almost impossible to get back.
Responsible citizenship
Online privacy is just one of the skills kids need to master in order to become responsible digital citizens. They also need to understand how their online actions can impact others’ online experiences. Take cyberbullying, for example. Traditionally, safety lessons focus on kids not becoming cyberbullies and reporting if they are cyberbullied. But responsible digital citizens not only report negative online interactions; the help create positive ones.
To become responsible digital citizens, kids must be encouraged to work actively to make the Internet a fun, safe place for everyone. Ms. Elias believes that educators can be an important part of this process. “We can create great interactive lessons that hit home with them and will help them understand the impact on their lives of not being a good digital citizen.” NetSmartz is working with thousands of educators like her to ensure they have the resources to fulfill that goal. Materials on issues such as digital literacy and cheating can help students see their online actions matter – and make smarter choices about what they do.
Teaching the digital basics
Ms. Elias takes her role as a technology facilitator very seriously. She recognizes that her students’ increased access to the Internet offers more opportunities – and more opportunity for trouble.
“My students are all ‘digital natives’ which means they have NEVER known a life without technology in it. Therefore as teachers, we have a great responsibility to teach these little ones how to keep a good digital footprint throughout their childhood and into their tweens and then to adulthood.” – Janet Elias, Technology Facilitator, PS 46
Maintaining a “good digital footprint” is a key component of being a responsible digital citizen. Ms. Elias helps her students learn this lesson with simple activities. For example, she shows students a tube of toothpaste and lets each one squeeze some out. She emphasizes that the toothpaste can’t go back into the tube, just as information shared online is almost impossible to get back.
Responsible citizenship
Online privacy is just one of the skills kids need to master in order to become responsible digital citizens. They also need to understand how their online actions can impact others’ online experiences. Take cyberbullying, for example. Traditionally, safety lessons focus on kids not becoming cyberbullies and reporting if they are cyberbullied. But responsible digital citizens not only report negative online interactions; the help create positive ones.
To become responsible digital citizens, kids must be encouraged to work actively to make the Internet a fun, safe place for everyone. Ms. Elias believes that educators can be an important part of this process. “We can create great interactive lessons that hit home with them and will help them understand the impact on their lives of not being a good digital citizen.” NetSmartz is working with thousands of educators like her to ensure they have the resources to fulfill that goal. Materials on issues such as digital literacy and cheating can help students see their online actions matter – and make smarter choices about what they do.
