Lisa Cantwell

Grand Canyon University

TEC-530

Digital Citizenship Essay

March 26, 2018

 Digital citizenship is the ability to interact online and the behaviors that are needed to

interact responsibly and appropriately (Ribble, 2017). With the digital literacy skills needed for

the 21st century learner, students need to be prepared to interact effectively online and in digital

formats.

With continued use of technology stems the responsibility for educators to ensure that

students are aware of the dangers and responsibilities that come with using technology (Schad,

2011). Students are connecting and communicating via social media and technology on a

consistent basis (Mossberger, Tolbert & McNeal, 2007). For this very reason, we need to

educate students, so they are aware of the dangers and implications of connecting with others.

Students should become empowered learners that can take an active role in their learning process

(ISTE, 2016).

Ribble’s nine elements of digital citizen includes digital communication. Digital

communication is a very important aspect of the social and cultural implications of the digital

age. As students become 21st century learners, and learning new literacy skills, they need to be

able to respond by knowing how to use technology efficiently and correctly (Ribble, 2017).

Students need to be conscientious when making choices about where and what they search

online. Although many schools have filters to protect students, students still need to think

critically and act responsibly. One such way to develop a safe and effective way for students is

to educate them early on concerning digital safety. ISTE standards for students, concerning

digital citizenship, states students are able to identify the rights and responsibilities that come

with connecting in a digital domain (ISTE, 2016). This includes knowing how to act responsibly

when connecting with others. Teachers should model good digital etiquette and teach students
the appropriate behavior needed when searching online. Teaching students to become digital

leaders moves students’ learning towards a more positive trend (Casa-Todd, 2018).

Another best practice is teaching students about their digital footprint when interacting

with online material. Students should manage their online identity by becoming aware that ideas

and information shared online has a permanent effect in the digital world (ISTE, 2016). Students

need to become responsible students when interacting in social media sites, including Facebook,

Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Music.ly and other social media sites. Students can engage with

their peers, but need to know that comments, replies, and their actions can be viewed by others

and have a lasting impact. Many students interact with social media sites outside of the

classroom, but students need to be aware that regardless of their use of social media sites and the

use of technology, that a digital footprint can leave a lasting impression. This also allows

teachers the opportunity to teach students concerning the correct way to respond to others by

making sure that responses and comments are positive. Teaching students that negative

comments may have an impact on another person, helps contribute to engaging in positive social

interaction online (ISTE, 2016). Teaching students to avoid participating in cyberbullying, also

correlates with becoming a good digital citizen and teaches students to recognize the

responsibilities that come with using technology.

Another important best practice is teaching students the responsibility of engaging in

legal and ethical behavior. This includes making sure to cite works and not plagiarize others’

ideas. Since this is something that will be needed throughout a student’s educational path, it

should be introduced and modeled as early as possible. This can be introduced by teaching

students how to effectively, create research projects. Students should know how to respect the
works of others by giving credit to the original author. Students need to be responsible for their

actions and plagiarizing or stealing from another person is unethical (Ribble, 2017).

ISTE standard seven states, for students to become global collaborators, they need to be

able to enhance their learning by connecting and working effectively with others, especially

those from diverse cultural backgrounds (ISTE, 2016). One meaningful change for the 21st

century learner is the ability to communicate and interact with each other in a digital format

(Ribble, 2017). To give students that opportunity to interact with others, a digital tool should be

used that allows students to safely connect with others.

One digital tool that allows students to connect and interact with other students outside of

their classroom is Google Suite. There are many resources located within Google Suite, such as

Google Classroom, to allow students and teachers to collaborate within their classroom and

outside of their classroom. This is an excellent resource for teachers because it not only allows

teachers to collaborate with their peers, it also allows teachers to develop classrooms where their

students can interact with each other. This resource allows teachers to connect with another

teacher and create a classroom to share ideas and work together. Students can also share

information by making comments on the class stream. This is a great resource especially for

those teachers who want to connect their classroom with another teacher to share ideas. Students

can participate and work collaboratively on projects without leaving their classroom. This is also

a great way for teachers to monitor discussions and collaboration.

Another tool that allows student to cooperate with other students is Edmodo. This setup

is very similar to Facebook, where the site allows students, parents, and teachers to communicate

with each other. It also allows teacher to connect with other students via a class code that is

shared. Edmodo is web based and allows students to interact in a safe, controlled environment.
It also allows teachers to connect with other teachers across a global aspect. One other feature

about Edmodo is that it allows you to connect and have discussions within and outside of your

school district and community. Another aspect of Edmodo is that it allows students to connect

globally by connecting the classroom with another group that may be on the other side of the

world (Edmodo, 2018). Students who engage and collaborate on a consistent basis with others,

improve their skills to think critically and expand their connections outside of the classroom

(Kurubacak, 2007).
 Reference:

Casa-Todd, J. (2018). Reflections on digital citizenship. Teacher Librarian, 45(3), 15-18.

Edmodo. (2018). About Edmodo. Retrieved from https://www.edmodo.com/about

ISTE (2016). ISTE standards for students. Retrieved from https://www.iste.org/standards/for-

students

Kurubacak, G. (2007). Transformative Power of Digital Citizenship: Critical Perspectives on

Culture, New Media and Pedagogy.

Mossberger, K., Tolbert, C. J., & McNeal, R. S. (2008). Digital citizenship: the internet, society,

and participation. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, [2008].

Ribble, M. (2017). Nine elements of digital citizenship. Retrieved from

http://www.digitalcitizenship.net/nine-elements.html

Schad, L. (2011). Tools and techniques that promote digital responsibility. Learning & Leading

With Technology, 38(7), 39