Reflective Post #6

The 9 Elements of Digital Citizenship in Schools

     This article talks about the nine elements of today’s issues within digital citizenship.  The article first talks about a flexible framework in regards to the elements.  It explains that the elements help provide understanding to the technology issues important to educators.

     The first element is digital access.  Digital access is “full electronic participation in society”.  This is making sure that all students have access to digital technologies.  Schools need to make sure they know that some families do not have access to technology regularly.  Digital access issues include fair access for all students, having accommodations for special needs students and programs that increase access to technology outside of schools.

     The second element is digital commerce.  This is “the electronic buying and selling of goods”.  The article states that this “is often the most difficult element of digital citizenship for educators to address in the classroom”.  The need for teachers to prepare students for the rest of their lives is discussed by addressing digital commerce with their students.  In turn, this will help students to become “educated members of a society” by preparing them for the interaction in a digital economy.

     Element three is digital communication.  This is “the electronic exchange of information”.  The article talks about the way people communicate and how it has changed.  There is more cell phone use, texting, emailing and social networking.  Educators are faced with a decision of whether digital communication technologies should be used in schools.  Which brings up the question about “digital footprint” and what is left behind.

     The fourth element is digital literacy.  Digital literacy is “the process of teaching and learning about technology and the use of technology”.  This section talks about the use of technology and the need to learn how to use it in the classroom.  It also talks about appropriate and inappropriate uses by all, teachers included.  It talks about how teachers need to be trained on the devices as well as the students.

     Element five is digital etiquette.  This is “the electronic standards of conduct or procedure”.  This section talks about how rules need to be established so the students need to know how to use the different technologies.  Technology teams are now in place at many schools that can help teach this as it was put on the parents in the past.  The article talks about make sure that we consider how our use of technology is affecting others and be able to understand that “good digital citizens respect others” by learning how to use different technologies in a courteous and effective way.  The keyword “netiquette” is stated here.

     The sixth element is digital law.  Digital law is “the electronic responsibility for actions and deeds.  This sections tells more about the copyright protection and intellectual property rights.  Many people, especially students, ignore these rules.  This section talks about how this is becoming an issues for school districts and how administrators need to guide teachers and students on what is legal and illegal.  Administrators also need to decide if their rules and policies for technology are also legal and understand that “digital citizenship helps all technology users become more aware of the legal ramifications of technology use”.

     Element seven is digital rights and responsibilities.  This is defined as “those requirements and freedoms extended to everyone in a digital world”.  This section talks about the necessity to make students aware of what they have the rights to do when using technology.  It also outlines that teachers can help students understand how to follow the “guiding principles of digital citizenship” by providing a “structure for technology use”.

     The eighth element is digital health and wellness.  This is the “physical and psychological well-being in a digital technology world”.  This section discusses various physical health and wellness issues that deal with the use of technology.  These include carpal tunnel syndrome, eyestrain and poor posture.  “Internet addiction” is also outlined that can cause both physical and psychological problems.  It is advised that educators can help prevent technology-related injuries by encouraging responsible use.

     The ninth and final element is digital security.  Digital security is “the electronic precautions to guarantee safety”.  This section talks about securing electronically stored sensitive digital information.  It highlights and compares your home to your home computer.  As your house has locks on the doors, smoke detectors, etc., your home computer should have as many security features, or more, like the house.  You should have up-to-date virus protection and firewalls.

     These elements are grouped together to help understand the different elements and how they connect.  The elements were grouped based on “their immediacy to the typical school environment”.  The three groups are student learning and academic performance, overall school environment and student behavior, and student life outside of the school environment.  The article ends by discussing that teachers and schools should be explored based on the needs of what is happening and integrate those topics into educational lessons.

Cyberbullying (www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/)

     The cyberbullying website created by the federal government first gives the definition.  Cyberbullying is “when kids bully each other through electronic technology”.  It then provides three videos on what cyberbullying is, how you can prevent it, and how to report cyberbullying when it happens.

First, it talks about cyberbullying is and provides some examples.  Some examples include mean text messages, emails, rumors sent or posted on social media, and embarrassing pictures or videos.  Cyberbullying can happen at any time.  The difference between cyber bullying and bullying are one happens through technology and the other does not but the effects from being cyberbullied are the same as bullying.  The website then gives some statistics on cyberbullying.

     Cyberbullying can be prevented by parents and kids.  Parents need to be aware of what their kids are doing online.  Parents need to also establish some rules about the use of technology.  Most schools also have a policy on the use of technology and how it can affect the students in and out of school.

     Cyberbullying should be documented and reported when it happens.  According to the website, the steps to take include not responding to the messages, keep the evidence along with dates and times, and block the person.  For reporting cyberbullying to online service providers, the website states that you need to review the terms and conditions along with visit social media safety centers to show how to block users and report any cyberbullying to the site to be able to take action against the users.  Cyberbullying should also be reported to law enforcement when there are threats of violence, child pornography, taking videos or phones of someone who is expecting privacy and stalking or hate crimes.  As for schools, cyberbullying can be a disruption and can be a part of in-person bullying as well.  Schools should be aware of any bullying to help prevent and respond to it using different strategies.

When Playing Video Games Means Sitting On Life’s Sidelines:

     This article talks about a rehab center that was setup in 2009 that helps those addicted to technology who have lost themselves in virtual communities.  The rehab center is called reSTART and is located out in the woods in Seattle.  reSTART used to be called Level 2 but decided to change the name because it was too close to video game language.  reSTART is a center that has all young men who are getting help because they are addicted to technology.  The center takes seven patients at a time to be treated with a six week intensive rehab.  After the six weeks, the patients then go to an apartment where other former reSTART patients are, that is nearby to transition them.

     The founder of the program, Hilarie Cash, states that there is a common thread within all the addictions, “addicts use the chemical or behavior to find either a high or relief”.  Cash talks about addictions and how it becomes addiction when the type of behavior starts to control you.  Within the program, patients have to learn to balance their life and set boundaries for their technology use.  The patients at reSTART also learn to find different ways away from technology such as cooking and meditation.

Reflection:

     As far as all of the readings this week, these were my favorites.  I really like how the Nine Elements of Digital Citizenship were broken down, defined and explained along with scenarios for each element.  The cyberbullying website was easy to read and gave a lot of good information on how to handle situations and the last reading on video game addiction showed how important these lessons are on digital citizenship.  I feel that Digital citizenship should be the first thing covered by all teachers, and/or the technology staff from day one.  I think it should be covered in all classes, elementary through high school.  It isn’t just about the teachers teaching the importance, but also helping the parents and students as well.  One example like the article stated, America’s youth has spent $220 billion online.  This is most likely due to the fact that they are not thinking about the consequences because they haven’t been taught about Internet safety and what can happen.  As far as our school, all students have the opportunity to access technology.  Students in our high school have one-to-one laptops that are for students to use in and out of school.  I’m not for sure if they have ever talked to their students about these issues on computers or not but I definitely feel that it is a must.  I know at the beginning of the year, since this was new to all, there was a parent-student meeting to discuss everything needed to know.  I believe that the cyberbullying website could be a good start for teachers and students to discuss and learn about it and making sure they know the consequences.  It did a good job of explaining what it is and what parents and students need to know.  I know at my school we have had an issue dealing with sexting.  I do not know exactly what happened because it was at the middle school level, but I know the police department was involved.  As far as the gaming story, I feel that it was a good example to explain what can happen.  There are so many people that spend way too much time using technology devices and systems, including myself.  My husband and I have a “no phone at the dinner table” rule in which helps us get away from our devices.  Like the addicted to gaming story said, we live in a connect world and are all online a lot.  Therefore, this week’s readings on digital citizenship, cyberbullying and addiction in regards to technology is a very important issue since the use of technology world has become even larger.

 

     As I was writing my summary and reflection paragraph, I focused on making sure to include all of the required elements based on the rubric.  I feel that I have substantial paragraphs for each reading and a reflection paragraph that focuses my thoughts and includes connections to the readings.  I have proofread my writing to make sure that the quality of writing is good.