Digital Citizenship

 

we learned about what digital citizenship is, its roles and obligations, why it is vital in our daily lives, and the nine elements of digital citizenship in this session. Following teacher's explanation, I understand that digital citizenship refers to people's responsible, ethical, and safe use of ICT as members of society and global citizens. It also refers to the ability to engage positively, be appropriate to others and use technology responsibly among users in the digital environment, relying on effective communication and creation skills to engage in forms of social participation that are respectful of human rights and dignity through the responsible use of technology. For instance, respecting others privacy and seeing things from their  perspective.

To be a good citizen, you must:

• Follow the rules
• Relate well to other citizens
• Be aware of your surroundings to stay safe.

Role of Teacher in Digital citizenship?

As teachers, it's our responsibility to authentically integrate digital citizenship into the curriculum in a positive way.

The teacher should respect others, protect and educate the child such as;

  1. Emphasize on importance of online etiquette

As a teacher, make sure to teach the students about internet etiquette and make them aware of it, such as how to be respectful for others, how to use language in online forums, and so on. As a result, allow child to develop habits of digital usage that are both appropriate and efficient.

  2. Teach the students how the internet works

The internet is a vast servers and computers that route web browser requests across a wired and wireless network. Teach them how to use it step by step and give them practice to see whether they can utilize it or not. Support and scaffold the child if they don’t know how to use it. 

 3.  Let them understand about user data

User data is one of the most complex and concerning concepts in the digital age. Teach students about user data by focusing on their digital footprints. A “digital footprint” is the mark that someone’s web browser leaves on the internet. Thus, teach them avoid over sharing and browse the sensible information using digital device and appropriate. 

 4. Teach students to protect their privacy

Passwords should be protected and changed on a frequent basis. Devices should be locked and passwords should be unique and strong.

5. Helps students stay safe online and promote media literacy in the classroom

It It is also the responsibility of teachers to be knowledgeable about nine Elements of Digital Citizenship and to teach and inform students about them, including digital access, digital commerce, digital literacy/fluency, digital etiquette, digital law, digital rights and responsibility, digital health and wellbeing and digital security 

     1.  Digital Access

Everyone we live in a digital era and right to access in digital to get information, but not all the people get opportunity to access the same information like some are digital immigrant and some are digital native. As teachers, try to ensure they can equally make use of online resources and provide alternatives suitable for every student’s need. 

2. Digital Commerce

It is the buying and selling of goods in online and the necessity to tackle safety issues while using money in digital world and be aware of online shopping scammer.  

3.  Digital Communication

It is the understanding the different modes of mediums of digital technology. It is important to use it efficiently and effectively by showing respects to others.

 4. Digital Literacy or Fluency

It is the process of understanding technology, how to use it in many forms, and how to adapt when new technologies are introduced. Students need to learn how to use their free will and decide what content is good for them and what they should avoid in order to lead a balanced life.

5. Digital Etiquette

Focusing on implementing an online etiquette will have great results for the future generations who will have the adequate attitude in the online world that avoids conflict and chaos.

 6. Digital Law

It is about understanding and complying with online rules and policies, and how to sue technology ethically. Many online users are actually breaking the law, either knowing or not knowing; from identify theft to hacking into someone else’s email etc.… To prevent any kind of online crime, students as digital citizens need to know the law.

7.    Digital Rights and Responsibility

It refers to the freedom that people have in the digital world and the responsible that comes with them. It involves of every individuals freedoms of right to voice-out but need to take a big responsibility of impact the society, community and world.

8. Digital Health and Wellbeing

It is maintaining sound technologies practices to promote physical and psychological wellness. Students should be taught to protect themselves and be cautious of their health and wellbeing.

9. Digital Security

Security in the online world is important since viruses and worms can go from system to system and affect the electronic devices we use. Precautions need to be taken to guarantee their safety. So, teacher should explain how to prevent them from happening and how to protect their devices.

What Digital Rights and Responsibilities as a teacher should carry out in society, community and world?

•  Provide right information

As a teacher it is very important to provide right information to the society, community and to the world.

•  Conduct digital citizenship advocacy

Teacher should engage in community advocacy and helps people grasp the value of digital citizenship in today’s digital society. Inform them about nine elements of digital citizenship, including how to protect their privacy, access safe and suitable content, and understand digital laws, literacy and etiquette. This will assist society in engaging constrictively and using technology responsibly among users in the digital environment.

•  Excellent digital role model

An excellent teacher is like a candle that illuminates other’s paths. As a result, teacher should model positive attitudes about digital, such as abiding by all media and copyright, intellectual property rules, as well as participating in online community life safely, ethically and respectfully, and motivating others to be good digital citizens. As a result, it is a critical role for teachers to model those characteristics towards society.

Personal observation through learning experiences

The concept of digital citizenship was unfamiliar to me until today’s session, which provide me with new information on digital citizenship, nine elements of digital and expanded my ideas about how to be a good digital citizens. Before, I would simply copy and paste information from internet without citing source, which is not a good digital citizen. As a result of this session, I have learned how to be a good digital citizen by acknowledge other works, respect issue and intellectual property,  respecting human rights and dignity while using technology responsibly and appropriately.