Week 8: Digital Citizenship

Current Digital Citizenship Practices

After reviewing the 9 elements of digital citizenship, I have reflected on my current practice in regards to these elements. These practices are described below:

Digital Access:

    Since my school is aware that not everyone has access to technology, they have provided students with 1:1 Chromebooks so that they can complete their distance learning assignments as needed. At the beginning of each school year, my partner teacher and I provide our students' families with a survey that asks various questions, including whether or not they have Internet access outside of school. We then determine the best options and alternatives available for these students who do not have access to technology at home, so that they are still receiving the opportunity to meet specific goals and skills throughout the year. Examples include providing them with hard copies of homework assignments and/or allowing in-person students to borrow Chromebooks to complete additional online assignments at home.

Digital Commerce:

    The teachers within my building do not all necessarily cover this area of digital citizenship since we do not specifically use technology to teach students about various career paths at the elementary level. This may occur at the middle- school level, but not at the elementary level.

Digital Communication:

    We use technology often to communicate with students since we have been virtual for part of this year and last year. I make sure to cover rules of communication with my students at the beginning of each school year since we use Chromebooks and other forms of technology often, so they are aware of what actions are inappropriate and appropriate online. We also cover safety rules online and what is/ is not acceptable on their devices.

Digital Literacy/ Digital Health and Wellness/ Digital Security:

    Since I have my fourth- grade students complete many projects using technology, I dedicate a class period before the project is assigned to discuss with students what reliable and unreliable websites look like. We identify what features to look for on websites so that students can differentiate good sources from bad sources. We also discuss what it means to be "hacked," and how to prevent this issue by establishing strong and safe passwords/ log-ins.

Digital Etiquette/ Digital Rights and Responsibilities:

    As described previously in digital communication, I make sure to cover rules of communication with my students at the beginning of each school year since we use Chromebooks and other forms of technology often, so they are aware of what actions are inappropriate and appropriate online. We also discuss how we should talk to others on online platforms, and I address issues of cyberbullying and what it looks like.

Digital Law:

    My school has teachers, parents, and students sign a Internet Use Policy at the beginning of each school year. This holds all parties accountable in the event that the policy is abused in any way. It lists appropriate uses of technology, inappropriate uses, and actions that will be taken if the policy is abused.