This digital world is expanding, so it is up to us, as educators, to help students become good digital citizens. Technology is the "science or knowledge put into practical use to solve problems or invent useful tools" (Technology). It is not something new. Throughout history, we have had to learn to embrace new technologies to utilize their abilities to help us solve problems and invent. We have reached a point in education where computers, the internet, social media, software, cell phones, 3D printers and digital cameras are becoming as much a part of K-12 schools as lockers, cafeterias and desks. Just as we teach our students expectations for behavior and safety in the classroom, the playground, the cafeteria and the school halls, we need to do the same for our technology-based activities. For technology to be effective in schools, students must “understand how to use personal technology in ways that enhance their learning experience and lead to self-empowerment and awareness” (Dotterer, Hedges & Parker, 2016).
Despite having grown up around technology, most students do not inherently have the skills they need in order to function in this digital world (Dotterer et al., 2016). Students are viewed as digital natives since they have grown up in a world that has always contained these technologies. We might think that using technology is second nature to them. We have to remember, though, that just because they have always been around technology, they may not know how to use it properly (Ribble, 2015). To function well in the digital landscape, students’ digital citizenship skills must become reflexive and a natural part of their interactions with each other and with technology (Dotterer et al., 2016).
Educators must shoulder some responsibility in helping learners function safely and productively in the digital world by teaching and modeling diverse digital citizenship skills.Exploring digital citizenship with students provides them with the opportunity to develop the skills they need in order to use technologies wisely and be conscious contributors to the digital community. Providing mini lessons, examples and reminders will help students to internalize the habits and skills needed to be productive digital citizens. While districts and schools often establish the expectations for acceptable use, there is much more to learning how to function online safely and productively than simply signing a document: “schools must ensure that they protect students while guiding their exploration of the digital landscape” (Dotterer et al., 2016, p. 59).
References:
Dotterer, G., Hedges, A., & Parker, H. (2016). Fostering Digital Citizenship in the Classroom. Education Digest, 82(3), 58–63.
Ribble, M. (2015). Digital citizenship in schools: Nine elements all students should know. International Society for Technology in Education.
Technology. (n.d.). Retrieved June 7, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/technology