MODULE 5: DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP

Introduction: Digital Citizenship is defined as the quality of an individual belonging to a digital community, who are required to have critical thinking, show appropriate etiquette, and make ethical choices, actions, both in usage and consumption while using technology. A model digital citizen will have an effect on the digital content and impact the ecology of the digital society (Adapted and modified from Ann Collier, Editor of Net Family News.org). Globally there are steps being taken to address the issue of digital citizenship. Some focus on digital living, others on preventing cybercrimes and some others focus on creating safe communities, managing safe personal information and also for others (Terry O Brien, 2010). In USA, Mark Ribble created nine themes to be a digital citizen; they are digital etiquette, digital communication, digital literacy, digital access, digital commerce, digital law, digital rights & responsibilities, digital health & wellness and digital security (Mike Ribble, 2007; Terry O Brien, 2010). Action Plan: In this active learning project, my target audience is middle school students aged 11 to 14 years of Ashland school District, Indiana, who are in their key phase of life. In this age they absorb values, ideas, attitudes and habits. The lessons learned at this critical age are taken through their entire life. As they enter the preteen and early teen years of life there is increased use of internet involving online communication, uploading pictures, music , documents, social networking , creating a website, writing blogs and so forth. There will be increased risks during this age causing cyber bullying, plagiarism, age inappropriate sites (National middle school Association, 2003). They also easily become victims of cybercrimes. So an intervention program focusing on middle school students to respect others during online communication, educate about internet risks and benefits, protecting self and others privacy. Nine elements of digital citizenship namely digital access will be incorporated into this action. Internet risky behaviors are common in this age group (Finkelhor, 2007). Respect, Educate and Protect (REP) E-Initiative Needs Assessment Survey

A survey should be conducted among students and teachers of all middle schools in Ashland District, Indiana. The purpose of the survey is to identify the gaps in technology use. Questions should be constructed based on whether the school has infrastructure to use digital devices, attitudes of the administration , benefits and issues towards technology, protecting privacy and security, knowledge on digital citizenship, issues and information related to social networking, copyright laws , cyber bullying etiquette in online communication, information collection, plagiarism and much more. Data collected will be analyzed and the most prominent issues will be addressed. There are no educational programs conducted with middle school students related to digital citizenship. However they are educated about avoiding plagiarism and staying safe while online. Goal: Students of Middle School in Ashland District Indiana will effectively demonstrate critical thinking, practice ethical behavior, understand laws, rights and responsibilities, learning of new digital literacies, staying safe and creating a safer environment in the digital society. Objectives: Steps: Educate Teachers about digital citizenship. A Technology and learning coordinator should be appointed provided they have worked as a teacher. An external technology consultant should be invited for a 3 day workshop for teachers to be trained in educational technology, cyber safety, digital tools, incorporating games in education, creating digital portfolios, teaching problem based learning with technology. Teachers should focus on the nine themes of digital citizenship proposed by Mike Ribble, digital etiquette, digital communication, digital literacy, digital access, digital commerce, digital law, digital rights & responsibilities, digital health & wellness and digital security. They should innovatively use technology to infuse these nine themes. A school pledge or oath can be created for both the parent and the students such that they abide the laws and rights to be a digital citizen. Parents should be involved in this intervention program.

 Threats, risks and severities associated with abuse and misuse of technology should be instructed through case studies and current news and events. Texting during class should be strictly prohibited; however texting as a form of educational resource and gathering information through real time should be enforced at a specific period of time. Texting in the form of addiction should be banned as it is similar to drunken driving. Students should be taught about online privacy and security and respecting others privacy. Plagiarism and other forms of illegal downloading should be compared to shoplifting. Schools should work with families such that they are raised as a model digital citizen outside the school environment practicing digital commerce, digital law and digital health and wellness (PROTECT). Best academic performance should be achieved with digital literacy, communication and access (RESPECT) School environment and student behavior should be promoted through digital security, etiquette, rights and responsibilities (EDUCATE). Websites for educators and students. I-SAFE The leader in e- safety education solution. This website is designed for teachers and students. Teachers can help students through this website to develop critical thinking skills, technologically proficient, responsible and practice safety and be a role model of a digital citizen. http://www.i-safe.org/wp/. Websites for educators Common Sense Media This website has all the technology resources for teachers. It has a free curriculum on digital literacies and digital citizenship. It has all resources from privacy maintenance to academic achievement which is great resource for teachers on the go. http://www.commonsensemedia.org/educators There are many resources like http://www.scoop.it/t/digital-citizenship-in-schools http://www.netliteracy.org/safe-connects/ and other resources are available

Conclusion: There will be follow-up of the progress every year for 3 years and teachers will be trained yearly on new literacies related to technological use. References: 1. Ribble, M., & Bailey, G. D., Ross, T.W (2004). Digital citizenship, Addressing appropriate technology behavior. Learning and leading with technology, Volume 32, number 1. 2. Association, N. M. S. (2003). This We Believe: Successful Schools for Young Adolescents: a Position Paper of the National Middle School Association: National Middle School Association. 3. Wolak, J., Mitchell, K., & Finkelhor, D. (2007). Unwanted and wanted exposure to online pornography in a national sample of youth Internet users. [Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.]. Pediatrics, 119(2), 247-257. doi: 10.1542/peds.2006-1891 4. http://digitalcitizenship.net/Resources.html 5. http://www.pbs.org/teacherline/courses/tech340/docs/tech340_bailey.pdf?cc=tlre dir 6. http://www.pbs.org/teacherline/courses/tech340/docs/tech340_bailey.pdf?cc=tlre dir