Define digital citizenship
Today's learners have an impressive array of technology at their disposal. Educators sometimes assume that all learners are competent technology users, with little need for educator guidance. However, knowing how to use the technology and understanding how actions online affect us and others are two totally different skill sets. This understanding is digital citizenship.
Learners don’t often realize how their interactions in class impact others through their words and actions. Educators discuss and reinforce community rules, norms, and expectations; helping to create a comfortable and respectful class community.
Just as learners are taught how to interact and contribute to the physical world, learners must also be taught the skills needed to do the same online. These digital citizenship skills serve as guiding principles; so learners use technology appropriately, safely, and responsibly. As classrooms continue to add more technology to benefit the learners, the need to model and explain proper digital uses continues to rise. With this need becoming more prevalent, digital citizenship resources are becoming increasingly available. Dr. LeeAnn Lindsey and Dr. Kristen Mattson, collectively known as the “DigCit Doctors," share an incredible curriculum framework providing insights and practical implementations for starting digital citizenship conversations in your classroom.
Using technology in education breaks down barriers and provides opportunities to learn from and interact with others from around the globe. Integrating digital citizenship skills into any class has never been as important as it is today. As Jennifer Fleming, Associate Professor in California State University's Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, said, “Teaching in the internet age means we must teach tomorrow's skills today.” (The Yale Tribune | Teaching Tomorrow’s Skills Today)