Tool #11

I feel that this post is the most important of the course. Ending with Digital Citizenship has kept it fresh in my mind, and helped me realize that it should be addressed in my classroom before ANY of the preceding tools.

The technology train has started rolling, and our kids are already on board. It is the responsibility of adults, parents and educators to emphasize and teach Digital Citizenship to our students. We don't assume that kids come to elementary school knowing everything about manners, safety, or academics; so why would we assume they already understand Digital Citizenship? We would never leave children unattended on the playground, so why would we think they can handle technology alone? Just like anything else, successful teaching of Digital Citizenship should happen in age appropriate steps, with constant monitoring. If we aren't doing our part to educate kids about the appropriate use of technology, then we alone are responsible when negative, even dangerous events occur.

There is much to teach about Digital Citizenship, but I have narrowed down what I feel to be the most relevant and important topics.

Safety

The teaching of Internet and technology safety is extremely important. It can be easy for student's to assume that they are safe while using technology, because they are comfortable in the environments where technology is accessible, e.g., home and school.

We teach our children to never talk or interact with strangers. But have we also taught them that strangers can be found online? Kids need to understand that posting personal information or pictures can be as dangerous as climbing into a car with someone that they don't know.

In my classroom, I will teach technology safety in numerous ways. I think that an open discussion about the potential dangers is an important method to get the conversation started. It also will allow me to gain feedback and perspective on my student’s existing opinions. Posted guidelines, as well as constant verbal reminders are also important.

Validity

Technology and Internet advances have made the accessibility to information incredibly easy. When used appropriately, the Internet can be a great tool for research. However, it should never be the only source of acquiring information. Our student's need to understand that not everything they read online is valid, and that the Internet should be used in conjunction with other resources like the library.

Students should also know how to appropriately cite sources, including those obtained online. The ease of finding information on the web might make student’s think that it is up for grabs. The ethical and legal implications of plagiarism should be stressed, so that kids do not develop bad research habits that could follow them into adulthood.

Research projects in my classroom will most likely center around a particular artist. I would allow students to use one online or Internet resource, but would require other sources as well. Continuing to familiarize kids with the library, as well as the appropriate means in finding primary sources, is key in balancing the ways our students gain information.

Etiquette

Learning good manners is an important part of socialization. We want our kids to interact appropriately with others. However, please’s, thank you’s and the Golden Rule should extend beyond face to face contact. As more and more human interaction occurs via technology, we must make sure that good etiquette is practiced across all means of communication.

Emily Post may not have had email, text messages, or blogs in mind when writing her book on etiquette, but she certainly understood the importance of developing good communication practices. Just because we may not be looking a person in the eye, does not mean that they deserve any less respect. If anything, we should be more mindful of how we communicate through technology, because we don’t have the benefit of other clues like tone and body language. Therefore, it is easier for words and phrases to be misinterpreted.

The teaching of manners with regard to technology is essential, but it should not stop there. We need to address another more serious issue that has recently been making headlines. The rise in online harassment, or “cyber-bullying”, is a phenomenon that can have devastating and even tragic results. The lack of face to face confrontation can lead to an environment where people feel comfortable behaving in a manner that would never happen under different circumstances. Unfortunately, cases of cyber-bullying have involved children in elementary school.

To me, the old saying about “sticks and stones” does not hold much wisdom. In fact, I feel that words, both positive and negative, can have powerful effects that last much longer than anything physical. Using methods like, open discussions, role playing and active monitoring, students will come to understand and appreciate the strength of words, and the importance of appropriate communication through technology.

“Manners are like primary colors, there are certain rules and once you have these you merely mix, i.e., adapt, them to meet changing situations.” -Emily Post