Digital+Citizenship

= Digital Citizenship =

When someone talks about being a digital citizen or of digital citizenry, what does this imply? What does it mean to be an American Citizen? When we get involved in a community, it is imperative that we learn the rules and norms of culture so as not only to respect the others, but to keep ourselves safe.

Digital Citizenship is a big component in the ISTE / NETS standards for both students and teachers. The main components are:

Etiquette:
When it comes to etiquette, we are all role models and users of the same digital environment. When using technologies, it is smart to always model responsible and respectful behaviors and acceptable use standards. When using digital resources, basing your actions on these socially acceptable norms of use will show others that you respect their right to use the resources and will model correct behavior for those learning about the technologies.

Communication:
Communication encompasses all the media that facilitate the exchange of information between individuals, whether it be textual (SMS, IM, e-Mail, etc.), graphical (MMS, photo sites, etc.), or audible (voice). Using and teaching appropriate use of communicative technologies is important. Using a cell phone (during class) to communicate plans after school to a classmate would not be acceptable use; however, using a cell phone (or PDA) to record, document, and exchange information with students pertaining to the lesson is acceptable.

Education:
Bonding technological innovations and education will always be a goal for researchers and educators. It is important to keep in mind that there are acceptable and unacceptable ways in which to do this. Letting students share vital information (such as quiz answers, etc.) would not be good; however, letting them use PDA's as described in the section above would be.

Access:
The main concern with access is that we, as educators, should not perpetuate the digital divide. By assigning and working with what students can gain access to, we create an environment that offers success. On the other hand, if the students were assigned projects that required certain technologies that were not very abundant and a very short timeline, it could create unnecessary pressure and stress on the student.

Commerce:
As the internet connects more and more people every day, online commerce grows. Many individuals (including myself) have a tendency to review at least 4 or 5 sites that I think might have either user reviews or competitive prices. While this is great and the internet allows me to do that from home (or my phone), it doesn't protect me. Educating people on using the internet safely for transactions can make a world of a difference. Being unsafe in online purchases can leave your entire life exposed (personal information, bank information, credit information, etc.) and can potentially have long-lasting effects. Using trusted and secure sights are just some of the basics of staying safe online. This can also be seen in keeping yourself safe and secure while using technologies.

Responsibility:
When we think about responsibility, let's focus on responsible use of materials and resources. There are many ways to find things on the internet, some are free and some require $$$. It is our responsibility to follow and demonstrate ethical behaviors. I could download a Beastie Boys album from either Limewire or Amazon? Who do you think pays royalties to the band? By exhibiting this behavior we can model appropriate use and ownership of materials and resources that are and aren't our own creations.

Safety:
Even though we don't normally associate physical injury with technology use, it is a very real issue. Long hours of computer reading in a dark room, incorrect posture when sitting and typing and overall bad ergonomics can really be a problem in the long run. Some of these problems can arise through eye strain, muscle strain / cramping, carpel-tunnel, etc.

Security:
Security is a big topic. Click below to read more on digital citizenship and our responsibilities when it comes to securing our information and safety. Keeping Yourself Safe and Secure