Digital Citizenship

Let me ask a question of the adults out there. When you were in school, did you or someone you knew write something on the classroom chalkboard or white board that everyone in the class could see? Did it  ever get signed with someone else's name? How many were affected by it?

Times have changed!  A similar exercise can and occasionally occurs by students today. The difference is...messages are electronically posted. Another difference is the message or "post" is not always easily erased and can be seen by many more people...even world wide in an instant. If the message is a slur or denigrates someone or more than one person, it can explode in a hurry. People can even post using an alias or someone else's name and/or title. Schools across the country have to deal with this unfortunate use of technology or "cyberbullying" and it affects the positive uses of technology such as instant access of information, research, and appropriate learning.

We are a district rich in technology use and that helps prepare our students for future jobs and college. All of us need to work together to teach and learn appropriate uses of technology known as "digital citizenship." Our students leave a permanent mark when items are posted on the internet regardless of whether it's twitter, facebook, other social media sites or internet meeting rooms. They can endanger themselves, hurt each other or get hurt, and, it can affect their future in getting jobs or acceptance for admission to college, fraternities, etc.

Our students are digital natives...that is they grew up with computers and electronic devices. They've always had them. There are times it's great to shut off these devices (phones, computers, I-pads, etc.), put them away, and interact without them. Should we take them away totally? They are a tool and like all tools, there is a proper way of using them. We all need to work together to make sure they are used properly. We would not permanently take away pencils if someone wrote inappropriate language on a paper or wrote something on the classroom board and, except in extreme circumstances, we do not want to take away the student's electronic device permanently.

WE all need to communicate effectively and appropriately however the communication occurs. We all need to understand the "digital footprint" left when anything is posted on the internet or a website is visited. Our schools will continue to help our students understand their digital footprint and the ramifications. As teachers, parents, community members, and students, we can all work together toward making good digital citizens.