Week #1 Journal Reflection -5316
THESIS: A global change in digital technology usage, availability, and need brings to light a noticeable gap in the lack of awareness of digital citizenship in the education system.
In this week’s study and in-depth readings from various authors and sources, it is highly evident that we, in America, have a need for Digital Citizenship for all people that use technology. Due to abnormal circumstances, the COVID-19 Pandemic of 2020, educators, students, and parents were ushered into an online technology world with no preparation. As a result, many areas of need have not been addressed as they normally would have. For example, parents may not have taught their children about digital stewardship at home because they were in survival mode, weren’t aware of it, or felt that it was common sense already. Parents that don’t use the internet or that are not technologically savvy are unaware of the need for guidance and the real dangers in online access. Many teachers were not taught the basic elements of Digital Citizenship to pass on to their students. Educators planning a Digital Citizenship Summit came to the realization that many people outside of the academic circle were not aware of digital citizenship and what it entails (Polgar, 2015).
After a student took his life because of being bullied online, a professor and mother took an interest, and researched. She noted that ⅔ of students are online every day, some 24/7. In 2010 only ¼ of teachers had been trained on Digital Citizenship (Curran, 2012). That is a definite gap in our educational system.
Mike Ribble, author of Digital Citizenship in Schools has broken down the vital categories of Digital Citizenship into nine elements. These elements (listed below) serve as a guide to educators for what needs to be addressed to improve student awareness of online responsibility as digital citizens. (Ribble, 2015)
The Nine Elements of Digital Citizenship:
1. Access
2. Digital Commerce,
3. Digital Communication
4. Digital Literacy
5. Digital Etiquette,
6. Digital Law
7. Digital Rights and Responsibilities
8. Digital Health and Wellness
9. Digital Safety
In Ribble’s book, he gives digital scenarios with a correct and incorrect approach to handling different situations in an educational setting. Each chapter has helpful information, resources, and relevant information in a reasonably easy-to-read and interesting format.
I was not aware of these nine elements myself. I am glad that this class has afforded me the opportunity to learn and prepare myself so that I can pass the knowledge on to my students. During the last school year, I have seen an increase in student cyberbullying, as well as a disregard for the mental and emotional well-being of others. Students and adults both tend to feel shielded from the impact of their online behavior, often saying things that they would never say in person.
Across the board, personal responsibility, respect for others, and awareness of digital etiquette can make a huge positive impact when implemented.
Curran, M. (2012, June). iCitizen: Are you a socially responsible digital citizen. Paper presented at the International Society for Technology Education Annual Conference, San Antonio, TX. Retrieved from (PDF: icitizen_paper_M_Curran.pdf )
Polgar, D. R., & Curran, M. B.F.X. (2015). We shouldn't assume people know what digital citizenship is. Retreived from http://www.teachthought.com/technology/we-shouldnt-assume-people-know-what-digital-citizenship-is
Ribble, M. (2015). Digital citizenship in schools: Nine elements all students should know (3rd ed.). Eugene, OR: International Society for Technology in Education
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