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Digital Citizenship

by Landez, Holly D

Pages 2 and 3 of 29

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The topic of digital citizenship is a broad one, and it is simpler to discuss when chunked into related ideas and groups. In his 2015 book Digital Citizenship in Schools, Mark Ribble outlines nine elements of digital citizenship. If each participant in digital spaces embraces these elements, then we will have a strong community of good digital citizens. The nine elements are further categorized into 3 principles, referred to as REPs:

•Respect Yourself and Others
•Educate Yourself and Others
•Protect Yourself and Others
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The nine elements are related in various ways and affect students both in school and outside of school.

•Student Learning & Academic Behavior
•School Environment & Student Behavior
•Student Life Outside the School Environment

If the primary goal of the education system is to improve learning outcomes, then perhaps the three elements associated with student learning and academic behavior should be the primary focus for digital citizenship instruction in schools. Those three elements are:

•Digital Literacy
•Digital Communication
•Digital Access
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The definitions of the nine elements are taken from https://www.digitalcitizenship.net/nine-elements.html

The additional resources on the accompanying pages are curated from various websites, books and courses focused on the topics of digital citizenship.
Digital Etiquette refers to electronic standards of conduct or procedures and has to do with the process of thinking about others when using digital devices. Teachers can include Digital Etiquette as part of the classroom rules or academic goals. Whether in the classroom or online, being aware of others is an important idea for everyone.
This Digital Citizenship site and blog post by Stephanie Miller outlines some very helpful online etiquette tips and resources.
Common Sense Digital Compass Games
DigCitUtah Etiquette
Common Sense Education hosts Digital Compass Games for upper elementary and middle school students. Some of these address digital etiquette. Poor digital etiquette habits can quickly turn to cyberbullying.
DigCitUtah lists a small collection of internet resources for teachers associated with digital etiquette, sometimes referred to as "netiquette."
Digital Access is about the equitable distribution of technology and online resources. Teachers and administrators need to be aware of their community and who may or may not have access, not only in school but at home as well. Educators need to provide options for lessons and data collection such as free access in the community or provide resources for the home.
Guidance to TX districts
The Texas Education Agency provides minimal guidance for school districts about providing internet for students that do not have equitable access.
2019 Common Sense Census
The 2019 Common Sense Census cites some eye opening statistics and finding regarding the need for equitable access to devices for students. Mainly, "inequity in access to the internet and computing devices for classroom learning appears more in students’ home access than in their classroom access."
Friday, March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act CARES Act was signed into law. In part, these funds help school districts provide equitable access to technology and applications to all students.
Digital Law refers to the electronic responsibility for actions and deeds and has to do with the creation of rules and policy that address issues related to the online world. Just as in the real world, the online world has had to create structure to protect those using these digital devices from harm. Support for issues such as cyberbullying and sexting should be available from School Resource Officers and other school counsel. Administrators need to come up with positive approaches to these issues in their schools and districts.
Essential Questions to ask:

• Are students aware that there are legal ramifications to some illegal online activities?

• Are students infringing on others’ rights by the way they use technology? 

•Should students be accountable for how they use digital technologies?

(Ribble, 2015)
An important topic within the element of digital law is copyright law. Resources for topics around copyright will be provided in the Digital Rights & Responsibilities section.