My Digital Citizenship Mantra
Think. Protect. Report.
Over the course of 5 weeks, I have learned about the importance of digital citizenship. We all share the responsibility of providing a safe and secure environment online. Digital citizenship begins with me. I cannot expect something from others that I am not even willing to do myself. My view of what it means to be a good digital citizenship is defined in 3 important words:
THINK – The first thing I need to do before I do anything else, is to stop and take a minute to think before I click, think before I reply, and think before I post a comment.
PROTECT – No matter what and under every circumstance, I have to protect myself and others online. I must also model appropriate behavior. I can't expect anyone else to do something that I myself, am not willing to do.
REPORT – Finally, I have the responsibility to report unsafe behavior and to report inappropriate posts. Seeing something that is wrong and not reporting it, is just as bad as being the one who performed the act.
My Digital Citizenship Presentation
We are living in an age where the Internet has become a part of our daily lives. We use the Internet for many things: research, distant learning, connecting with family/friends, shopping, looking up recipes, and banking, to name a few. While the Internet has definitely made life more efficient, keeping up with its evolution can be difficult and at times overwhelming for everyone, including kids. My digital citizenship presentation video gives insight on the problems users are faced with online and provides a solution to them as well.
As educators, it is important for us to teach, model, and empower students on how to be a good digital citizen (Ribble, 2015).
Each of the nine elements are equally as important from the first to last. They only promote a safe and secure online environment when utilized properly and together. For example, I cannot simply understand what digital literacy and etiquette mean and not promote it online when posting or sharing information. I have to model the nine elements to promote digital citizenship. I also learned how digital citizenship is essentially the same as character education online (Ohler, 2012). The important attributes we learned as children such as honesty, respect, and responsibility are equally as important in the digital world.
Digital citizenship begins with me, the online user. To be considered a digital citizen, I have to model the nine elements, be empathetic, uphold high morals and values, and be a good steward online.
1. Digital access – all users should have equal access to the Internet regardless of where they reside;
2. Digital commerce – all users should have access to the purchase and selling of legal materials and items;
3. Digital communication – all users should exchange information in a clear and understandable message;
4. Digital etiquette – all users should follow the electronic code of standards and be empathetic towards others;
5. Digital fluency – all users should be educated the proper use of technology;
6. Digital health – all users should be aware and promote physical well-being for themselves and others;
7. Digital law – all users should adhere to the rules in the online world to protect all from harm;
8. Digital rights and responsibility – all users have rights and freedoms which can be exercised through responsibility and diligence;
9. Digital security and privacy – all users should be aware of digital attacks and how to prevent them.
My Mantra Project Essay
Digital Citizenship: Teachers and Students Doing the Right thing
In today’s world, technology seems to be growing and changing so fast. The Internet is being utilized daily. Users can be found of all ages, including children, teenagers, and adults. Let’s not forgot the social media craze that has connected people all around the world. The technological advancements of the 21st century brings endless opportunities for users with unlimited access and constant communication. Schools across the world are utilizing the Internet in their classrooms and to enhance their instruction. Students in almost every country have immediate access to the Internet from different types of technology including smartphones, tablets, laptops, and computers. Today technology make it very necessary for digital rules and online policies and procedures to foster a safe and secure environment for all users.
Digital citizenship is a society of responsible users of all technology, including computers, devices, and the Internet. Digital citizenship is the ability to interact and engage with users in the online society in a safe and secure manner. Digital citizenship is also very crucial and important for educators to model in the classroom. Educators can provide students with the tools they need to be a good digital citizen by modeling the nine elements of a digital citizen (Ribble, 2017). Being a good citizen in the digital world is essential to promote and provide a safe and secure environment and to create a significant learning environment in the classroom.
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My Final Reflection
n today’ fast paced technology filled world, the Internet is utilized constantly on a daily basis. Now users can be found of all ages, including children, teenagers, and adults. Today’s widespread social media enthused world has connected people all around the world of these different ages. The technological advancements of the 21st century brings an abundance of opportunities for users with unlimited access and constant communication. Schools across the world, are now beginning to utilize the Internet in blended classrooms and to enhance instruction. Technological advancements also make it necessary for digital rules, online policies and procedures to foster a safe and secure environment for all users. In consideration of all of this, I pose the question of how can we establish a safe and secure environment online? The answer would be, by being a digital citizen. In this Digital Citizenship course, I learned that digital citizenship is a society of responsible users of all technology, including computers, devices, and the Internet. I also learned that digital citizenship is the ability to interact and engage with users in the online society in a safe and secure manner. Being a good citizen in the digital world is essential to promote and provide a safe and secure environment and to create a significant learning environment in the classroom.
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My digital citizenship video presentation provides a description of what it means to be a digital citizen and provides an overview of the digital nine elements (Ribble, 2017). Digital citizenship begins with the user of any technological device or application. Every online user is responsible for creating and providing a safe and secure environment. As educators, it is important for us to teach, model, and empower students on how to be a good digital citizen (Ribble, 2015).
Digital citizenship begins with me, the online user. To be considered a digital citizen, I have to model the nine elements, be empathetic, uphold high morals and values, and be a good steward online.
Digital Citizenship Impact
Journal Entry 1
Citizenship: Important Elements in a Digital World
In today’s fast paced technology filled world and as the ever changing Internet is utilized constantly on a daily basis, rules, policies, and procedures are necessary to foster a safe and secure environment for all users. Digital citizenship is a society of responsible users of all technology, including computers, devices, and the Internet. It is the ability to interact and engage with users in the online society in a safe and secure manner. It is also crucial and important to both learn and teach users in today’s society.
Digital citizenship first begins with the user to promote and provide a safe and secure environment. Ribble (2015) breaks down digital citizenship into nine elements that are practical guidelines to help foster a safe and secure environment. Ribble’s (2015) nine elements as a digital citizen are as follows: 1) Digital access – all users should have equal access to the Internet regardless of where they reside; 2) Digital commerce - all users should have access to the purchase and selling of legal materials and items; 3) Digital communication – all users should exchange information in a clear and understandable message; 4) Digital etiquette – all users should follow the electronic code of standards and be empathetic towards others; 5) Digital fluency – all users should be educated the proper use of technology; 6) Digital health – all users should be aware and promote physical well-being for themselves and others; 7) Digital law – all users should adhere to the rules in the online world to protect all from harm; 8) Digital rights and responsibility – all users have rights and freedoms which can be exercised through responsibility and diligence; 9) Digital security and privacy – all users should be aware of digital attacks and how to prevent them. Being a digital citizen begins with the user.
Ribble (2015) classifies the nine elements into three updated principles known as the S3 Framework which are 1) Safety to protect digital citizens; 2) Savvy to create educated digital citizens; and 3) Socially to respect oneself as a digital citizenship. The nine elements all combined adhere to the main principle which define digital citizenship, simply treat others as one desires to be treated and simply respect others as one desires to be respected.
According to Ohler (2012), digital citizenship is defined as character education for the digital age. Morals and values play a huge part for citizenship in a digital world. Character attributes such as honesty, respectfulness, and responsibility are all essential for digital citizenship. When users are able to successfully model high morals and values and engage in positive behavior, a safe and secure environment is established online. In conclusion, digital citizenship begins with the user. Users of technology and the Internet must all uphold themselves to the highest regard and manner and do their part to provide a safe and secure environment. Users of all ages engage and interact on the Internet. Adult users serve as a role model to the younger generation. Educators serve as role models to students. When users model, display, and take responsibility with technology and on the Internet, a safe and secure environment is established. Constantly being mindful of the nine elements when using today’s technology and the Internet is essential for promoting citizenship for all users in the digital world.
References
Ohler, J. (2012). Digital citizenship means character education for the digital age. Education Digest: Essential Readings Condensed for Quick Review, 77(8), 14-17. Retrieved from Ohler_Digital_citizenship_means_character_education_2012.pdf. Ribble, M. (2015). Digital citizenship in schools: Nine elements all students should know. (3rd edition). Eugene, OR: International Society for Technology. Ribble, M. (2017). Nine Elements. Retrieved from https://www.digitalcitizenship.net/nineelements.html.
Technology Access and Protecting My Online Reputation
Journal Entry 2
In todays’ fast paced technology filled world, the Internet is constantly on a daily basis used without the regard for rules, policies, and procedures that are necessary to foster a safe and secure environment for all users. The benefits of digital citizenship for kids extend far beyond the individual. When we help students develop healthy practices on the Internet, we’re also creating a better space for everyone they interact with. If your students use technology in class, digital citizenship curriculum is one of the best ways to help everyone make the most of their time online.
Because technology is so prevalent in schools, teachers often have to worry about how to prevent cyberbullying, cell phones disrupting class, and plagiarism. Teaching digital citizenship can be one of the best ways to decrease these and other inappropriate behaviors at school. As they become good digital citizens, students can use the Internet with a greater sense of self-awareness and better understand how to best use technology.
Digital citizenship is a society of responsible users of all technology, including computers, devices, and the Internet. Digital citizenship is the ability to interact and engage with users in the online society in a safe and secure manner. Digital citizenship is crucial and important to both learn and teach users in today’s society. Digital citizenship begins with the user to promote and provide a safe and secure environment. With today’s social media craze, there are so many platforms available for adults and youth to choose from to express their opinion or share a photo. Popular social media platforms are Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat. According to the statistical collecting website, Statista, the most popular platform of all apps is Snapchat (Gordon, 2019). Each social media platform is available free of charge but each should be used with caution and etiquette to promote digital citizenship. Every user that signs on accepts full responsibility for the sharing of their messages and photos. Each post should be shared in a safe and secure manner without causing harm to the user or to others. The nine elements of digital citizenship are important to promote digital citizenship (Ribble, 2015). It is important for users to think before they click. When users are able to successfully model high morals and values and engage in positive behavior, a safe and secure environment is established online. Each post and comment made online becomes a part of one’s digital footprint. A digital footprint is comprised of a user’s online activity including photos, comments, and posts. A digital footprint can also be known as a digital shadow, digital tattoo, or online reputation (Morris, 2018). Regardless of the term as it may be referred, the digital footprint is vital and should not be taken for granted or ignored (Morris, 2018). Every online platform and social media app requires users to create an account which have privacy settings which must be accepted before gaining access. The privacy settings are of utmost importance and can impact the user’s digital footprint. It is important for users to understand that each post, comment, and photo shared online will make an impact on digital citizenship. With every post comes the responsibility of promoting a safe and secure environment online. It is imperative to think before the click of a mouse can hurt oneself or another. A digital footprint is basically an online reputation. When someone searches for a specific name, they will find information that describes their personality, characteristics, morals, and values. Most of the information people share about themselves online is intentional. When others share info or photos online about another person this can be unintentional. Both are hard to clean up or remove. Online information becomes a permanent part of one’s digital footprint. The post or comment may be deleted but someone somewhere took a screenshot, saved it, shared it, or possibly even made a hard copy and printed it. In conclusion, digital citizenship begins with the user. Users of today’s technological advancements must all uphold themselves to the highest regard and manner and do their part to provide a safe and secure environment. When users model, display, and take responsibility with technology and on the Internet, a safe and secure environment is established and digital citizenship is impacted in a positive manner.
The benefits of digital citizenship for kids extend far beyond the individual. When we help students develop healthy practices on the Internet, we’re also creating a better space for everyone they interact with. If your students use technology in class, digital citizenship curriculum is one of the best ways to help everyone make the most of their time online.
Because technology is so prevalent in schools, teachers often have to worry about how to prevent cyberbullying, cell phones disrupting class, and plagiarism. Teaching digital citizenship can be one of the best ways to decrease these and other inappropriate behaviors at school. As they become good digital citizens, students can use the Internet with a greater sense of self-awareness and better understand how to best use technology.
References
Gordon, K. (2019). Topic: Snapchat. Retrieved from https://www.statista.com/topics/2882/snapchat/. Morris, K. (2018). Teaching children about digital footprints and online reputations. Retrieved from http://www.kaathleenamorris.com/2018/06/12/digital-footprints/ Reviews for what your kids want to watch (before they watch it): Common Sense Media. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.commonsensemedia.org/. Ribble, M. (2017). Nine Elements. Retrieved from https://www.digitalcitizenship.net/nineelements.html.
Copyrighted Materials, Ethics, and Digital Citizenship Impact
Journal Entry 3
In today’s fast paced technology filled world, the Internet is constantly being utilized on a daily basis. Therefore, laws, policies, and procedures are necessary to foster a safe and secure environment that upholds the U.S. law for all users. Digital citizenship is a society of responsible users of all technology, including computers, devices, and the Internet. Digital citizenship is crucial for educators to model and knowing the Copyright Office laws is equally important. The Copyright Office enforces laws that impact the Internet and provides a foundation on how to utilize educational materials in an ethical, safe, and secure manner. Digital citizenship is positively impacted when educators properly utilize copyrighted works and materials in the classroom. According to the United States Copyright Office (2017), copyright is the form of protection provided by the laws of the United States for authorship of original works which include materials of literary, musical, graphic, motion picture, and other original works. The effective use of copyrighted materials in the classroom helps educators enhance the teaching and learning process of all students and helps create a significant learning environment. The Copyright Act, according to Maddox (1995), is one of the least understood U.S. laws that greatly impacts educators and the classroom environment. Educators have the responsibility to familiarize themselves with the Copyright Office law and model the appropriate utilization of copyrighted materials as outlined in curriculum and educational materials in both print and digital format. According to Renee Hobbs (2010), when educators utilize copyrighted materials properly, students learn and gain a deeper understanding of the lesson being taught. The modeling of proper use of copyrighted works in printed and digital form leads to students earning the importance of upholding the law as well and helps create a significant learning environment that gives proper credit to the authorship for their original works. The proper utilization of copyrighted materials is essential and crucial as it follows the framework of the updated nine elements of digital citizenship (Ribble, 2017). The effective utilization of almost any educational material when used properly can enhance the classroom environment. The proper use of the materials is just as important as the instruction itself. The modeling of proper use of copyrighted materials leads students to learning the importance of giving proper credit as well as teaching them to appreciate the hard work and dedication of others. The proper use of copyrighted materials in the educational setting can enhance instruction and provide students with an enriching learning experience. Not only is the proper use of copyrighted materials the United States law, educators have the responsibility to provide instruction in an ethical manner. The effective use of copyrighted materials in the classroom provides students the opportunity to have an educational experience that promotes and fosters a significant and creative learning environment. In conclusion, the proper utilization of copyrighted materials in the classroom begins with the educator. Educators must all uphold themselves to the highest regard and manner and do their part to promote digital citizenship and provide a safe and secure environment. When users model, display, and take responsibility in the proper utilization of copyrighted materials both in print, digital, and works on the Internet, a safe and secure environment is established and digital citizenship is impacted in a positive manner.
Cyberbullying and The Impact it has on Digital Citizenship
Journal Entry 4
In today’s fast paced technology filled world, the ever changing Internet is being utilized more than ever now on a daily basis. The users can be found of all ages, including children, teenagers, and adults. Today’s wide spread social media craze has connected people all around the world of these different ages. The technological advancements of the 21st century brings endless opportunities for users with unlimited access and constant communication. Unfortunately, today’s technology with instant interaction can also be utilized to cause intentional and deliberate harm to other users. Just as people of all ages can be bullied in person and face to face while at school or work, users can be cyberbullied on the many social media platforms, by email, as well as online. Cyberbullying does not promote digital citizenship which is defined as a society of responsible users of all technology, including computers, devices, and the Internet. Cyberbullying negatively impacts digital citizenship and the person or group being targeted and cyberbullied. Cyberbullying is different than the traditional bullying which occurs face to face and in person, where oftentimes the victim is able to identify the perpetrator. Cyberbullying is a unique form of bullying due to the speed it can be distributed and shared, its permanent digital imprint of text or images for other users to see, and constant visibility to victims and online users (Brewer & Kerslake, 2015). Cyberbullying occurs online via the Internet where oftentimes the victim does not know the identity of the perpetrator. The user who is bullying can be a complete stranger and unidentifiable behind a profile or account that is not real. Cyberbullying is defined as the intentional use of technology to inflict harm on a group or individual (Hinduja & Patchin, 2015). According to Chadwick (2014), there are several forms of cyberbullying which he identifies as the most common forms to occur. 1) Harassment – offensive, insulting, or rude messages or posts sent repeatedly which can occur both publicly or privately; 2) Denigration – dissemination of derogatory or humiliating information about another person which can be fabricated and is posted or sent digitally; 3) Flaming – posts or replies to one’s opinions or comments which are intended to impact emotions; 4) Impersonation – hacking into another user’s account and using their identity to post or send text or images that can be damaging or embarrassing; 5) Pseudonyms – users who post or send disturbing comments or images while utilizing a nickname or alias to hide their true identity; 6) Outing or Trickery – the posting or sharing of private and personal information to the public via messages, photos, or videos; 7) Exclusion – intentionally leaving a user out of online group activities; 8) Cyberstalking – continuous online harassment, threats, or intimidation to cause fear. Cyberbullying unlike traditional bullying can have a more severe affect and impact on the victim(s) due to the information reaching a larger audience online and having the capability of spreading swiftly without end (Chadwick, 2014). In conclusion, educators can help educate students about the lasting affects cyberbullying can make and model positive online behavior in the classroom. Educators can model all nine elements of digital citizenship in the classroom (Ribble, 2017). The positive use of today’s technological advancements in the classroom provides students the opportunity to have an educational experience that promotes and fosters a significant and creative learning environment. Educators must also encourage students to immediately report cyberbullying when it occurs regardless of who is involved. Educators must uphold students to the highest regard and manner and do their part to promote digital citizenship and provide a safe and secure environment. When users model, display, and take responsibility in the proper utilization on all online Internet activities, a safe and secure environment is established and digital citizenship is impacted in a positive manner.
Copyright Materials in the Classroom
The Do's and Don'ts for Teachers and Students
While reflecting on my days as a high school student, a memory of the dreaded research process comes to mind. Research that was limited to a card catalog and the few books my high school had on hand. The bulk of the time I spent gathering the information I needed to write my papers and create my projects was often wasted changing topics multiple times due to the inability to find the required number of sources in connection with my topic of choice. The process was long, frustrating, and I definitely didn’t learn as much as I should have based on the limited availability of information. Moving forward to my experiences of being an elementary Librarian in a 21st-Century classroom, times have certainly changed and educational resources have improved dramatically as a result of the increased access to technology.
Due to the evolution of the Internet, educational institutions have access to more informational resources than those of previous generations, and the effective use of those copyrighted resources can enhance the process of both teaching and learning. Therefore, I believe that Copyrighted materials should not be avoided in the classroom, but the correct way of receiving them is crucial! Many of these resources are ideal for examples or can help better a student’s understanding of a topic. However, your district may have a license to the resources or they may be a part of the public domain. The most important thing for students (and educators alike) is to give credit to the resources you found your information from. Citing sources is an extremely critical step to your learning process.
Teachers employed before technology was a part of daily life, often had to resort to the use of older curriculum that was purchased the last time the school district had extra funds. In my city, I feel certain the resources were ten to fifteen years old. If an educator wanted to bring something new into their classrooms, oftentimes they had to create it, and I’m sure there were few who had time or were willing to do that. The result of the shortage of curriculum resources was a classroom that was driven by worksheets and following a textbook from chapter to chapter. It wasn’t very exciting or engaging.
Thanks to the Internet, teachers now have unlimited resources at their fingertips to help them introduce new and interesting methods of instruction in their classrooms. Sites like Teachers Pay Teachers (Edelman, 2006), Pinterest (Sharp, Silbermann, & Sciarra, 2010), and teacher blogs offer a wealth of information for helping to find new instructional ideas, and typically those lessons are well-received by today’s students. Of course all these resources much be used with copyrights in mind. You should always be sure to give credit to the author and only distribute the number of copies specified. For example, a lesson purchased on Teachers Pay Teachers should not be distributed to teachers all over your district. Each teacher should purchase their own access.
As far as the effect of these resources on students, the quality of education they are receiving has improved dramatically. Almost any topic they choose to research is available with the click of a mouse, and they can visit far away countries or landmarks via virtual tours and online videos. The sky is the limit as far as exploration goes, and virtual tools allow for the unique and creative compilation of a student’s learning. Although these resources appear to be open and free to all, that is not the case. Students need to be trained on the proper way to cite sources and give credit to wonderful writers and artists who bring these materials to life for their benefit. After all, that is a critical piece of the process.
The world would look much differently without access to the resources we have today, and they have certainly enhanced educational outcomes, but teachers should definitely monitor the utilization of these materials very closely. The Internet is not a substitute for good teaching, and the students must be held accountable for giving credit to the originators of the information they are using.
References
Edelman, P. (2006). Featured. Retrieved from https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/
Sharp, E., Silbermann, B., & Sciarra, P. (2010). Pinterest. Retrieved from https://www.pinterest.com/