Be online
Good digital citizens maintain awareness of how they use technology tools. While it's easy to be “always on” through connected devices like tablets, laptops, and mobile devices; it isn't as easy to stay focused, take breaks, or disconnect when necessary. It's important for learners to be mindful of how their online activities can impact their personal health and wellness, as well as other people in their physical and digital spaces.
While there are no standard limits on screen time measurements, learners must be taught how to stay on task while online and focus on what they aim to accomplish. It's too easy to get caught up in distractions like other online resources, apps, and social media. Responsible online learners need to be accountable for their time spent online by setting goals and reviewing their desired outcomes. Microsoft Family Safety is a way for parents, guardians, caregivers, and family members to help each other practice healthy online habits such as setting screen time limits, and knowing what sites users in the household are visiting. Reinforcing these habits at home helps prove digital citizenship has no bounds and is an important part of everyday life.
According to a study by the University of California Irvine, it takes an average of 23 minutes and 15 seconds to get back to the deep focus on a task once distracted. (The cost of interrupted work: More speed and stress)
Aside from staying focused on academic tasks, good digital citizens learn how to use digital tools to communicate their needs and respond appropriately to the needs of others. Being part of an online community means sharing responsibility for what information is being conveyed through posts, images, and more. This community building also includes knowing when not to respond to something that might be harmful to others. A key mindset when interacting online is "Am I using technology to make something better?" Understanding that we all have a voice and knowing how to use it for good is a powerful tool.
Good digital citizens are also aware of how others view their actions. Online communication is a separate skill from verbal communication. Learners must develop their sense of empathy to understand the implications posts may have from another's perspective. Examples include English educators modeling proper email etiquette, setting the stage for future success using email. And science educators using posts and chat inside Microsoft Teams to relay information to learners needed for daily lessons and providing a safe space for them to ask questions privately. As the workforce continues to become more dependent on virtual communication, setting the stage in schools provides opportunities for learners to practice these skills. Being online means paying close attention to the way one’s own actions impact others and taking the time to reflect on the content of a post before sending it.
Tools to help learners and educators be mindful of online experiences
- Windows Clock provides Focus Sessions to build healthy digital habits and get more done.
- Stay Focused is a Microsoft Edge productivity extension that helps users stay focused by blocking sites that may be a distraction during work sessions. The extension includes a blocked site list, helping to keep users focused on their productivity during a work session.
- The Reflect app in Microsoft Teams helps learners recognize and communicate their emotions in a safe and non-threatening atmosphere. Learners carefully select an emoji and phrase to represent how they're feeling so educators can make informed decisions in the classroom setting.
- Microsoft Forms surveys provide a way for learners to share personal learning goals with their educators. These check-ins improve communication in the learning environment and help educators ensure learners feel valued, heard, and connected.
- The Chat feature in Microsoft Teams keeps focus on productivity. Chat ensures conversations between educators and learners take place in a safe and secure space. It's important to remember that focusing on the positive use of private chat and modeling its use benefits learners as they grow into mature digital citizens.
- Microsoft Family Safety is a tool that encourages healthier online habits for family members. It allows a single family organizer to set screen time limits, view family member locations, and read activity reports about websites, apps, and games that family members visit.
- The Windows 11 accessibility features provide access to tools such as different keyboards, Sticky Keys, mouse pointer options, magnifier tools, closed captioning and narration.