Create a student brochure to help students understand digital citizenship.
Be sure to address the legal and ethical issues involved in using technology in the classroom as well as the safety and security issues for students. The brochure should be comprehensive, creative, and explanatory, incorporating text and graphics around a theme. Include at least two links for students to visit online for more information.
APA format is not required, but solid academic writing is expected.
This assignment uses a grading rubric. Instructors will be using the rubric to grade the assignment; therefore, students should review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the assignment criteria and expectations for successful completion of the assignment.
Resources required:
http://digitalcitizenship.net/Nine_Elements.html
http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech211.shtml
Solution
DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP
Digital Citizenship in its most basic form refers to the norms of appropriate, responsible behavior with regard to the use of technology. It is based on 9 themes as discussed below:
Digital Access
The basis of this theme is that not all individuals have the same level of access to technology. Thus, one should strive towards expanding technology to help others gain access to technology. This will create a completely inclusive society since excluding some people from accessing technology will constitute uneven growth.
Digital Commerce
Many business transactions are now being done electronically. This has made it easy for illegal sales to be conducted electronically. Besides being unethical, it is a legal issue. This also includes goods and services that are considered against good morals. E.g pornography. This theme aims to ensure that the individual takes self-responsibility to only engage in legitimate and legal transactions.
Digital Communication
There has been a revolution on how people exchange information owing to significant changes in the communication options. People are now able to keep in constant communication using various channels including e-mail and cellular phones. However, most individuals are not able to make the right decisions when faced with the ever increasing number of digital communication options.
Digital Literacy
Much progress has been made to incorporate technology in the process of teaching and learning about technology. Technologies used in work places (e.g. video conferencing, wiki sharing spaces) should be adopted in schools. Learners need to be equipped with enough information on how to use technology in their daily learning. This will make them adapt to new technology faster and to utilize it more appropriately.
Digital Etiquette
This is the most challenging concept in Digital Citizenship. There should be proper behavior when using technology which needs to be taught to all users. This will lead to a society that has responsible digital citizens regardless of policy and laws made to govern use of technology.
Digital Law
The laws that govern society offline should also be observed when people are using technology online. Such crimes as theft of people’s identity or property online are covered by this concept. Hacking, downloading illegal music and games, plagiarism and creating destructive viruses remains unethical when using technology.
Digital Rights & Responsibilities
Basic rights of a person should be extended to the digital world. For instance, right to privacy and freedom of speech. These rights should be backed by appropriate conduct and taking responsibility.
Digital Health & Wellness
There are many dangers that come with technology and users need to be made aware of this. Ranging from Internet addiction, eye safety and sound ergonomic practices. Digital Citizenship should focus on a culture where technology users are educated and trained to protect themselves from physical and psychological issues due to technology.
Digital Security (self-protection)
Just like in society, it is not enough to trust other members of society. Rather, one should take precautions to protect themselves when using digital devices. This involves using passwords, virus protection and use of data back-ups. Students need to also understand that not everyone is who they say they are on the internet. The only way to stay safe is to limit the amount of information shared online especially details that can trace their whereabouts. Schools should also adopt filtering systems that prevent access to various sites detrimental to the students. E.g. Gambling sites
All the above themes can be summarized as follows:
Respect, Educate and Protect (REPS). These are elaborate and cover both the user and the other users in the digital world.
Respect Your Self / Respect Others
- Etiquette
- Access
- Law
Educate Your Self / Protect Others
- Literacy
- Communication
- Commerce
Protect Your Self / Protect Others
- Rights and Responsibility
- Safety (Security)
- Health and Welfare