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"From cyberbullying and photo sharing to digital footprints and online safety, the Connecting Families program helps parents and kids address important topics and have meaningful conversations about making great choices in their digital lives. This free, year long program includes everything parent facilitators need to encourage their schools and communities to use connected technologies in ways that are both fun and safe. Our resources include a step-by-step hosting guide, conversation topics, and printable resources to share -- all carefully researched and crafted by Common Sense educational technology experts. Get started with the Program Overview, and then follow the steps below."

Summary: Digital citizenship is the state of having access to the Internet and communication technologies that help promote equal opportunity, democracy, technology skills, and human rights.

"We are thrilled to announce the release of our entire Digital Literacy and Citizenship Curriculum as a set of eight interactive, multimedia iBooks Textbooks, available for free in the iBooks Store. As schools implement 1-to-1 programs, increasing student access to technology at school and at home, it's more important than ever to teach digital citizenship skills."

Reviewing the Global Citizen Diploma developed at YIS. It includes as an extended element Digital Citizenship - creation of a digital portfolio and video production with responsible use of technology. A good model to emulate.

"Perhaps that makes the 55-year-old teacher sound like a dinosaur. What he discovered is, after all, one of the most obvious realities shaping education policy and parenting guides today. But, as Loewy will clarify, his revelation wasn't simply that technology is overhauling America's classrooms and redefining childhood and adolescence. Rather, he was hit with the epiphany that efforts in schools to embrace these shifts are, by and large, focusing on the wrong objectives: equipping kids with fancy gadgets and then making sure the students use those gadgets appropriately and effectively. Loewy half-jokingly compares the state of digital learning in America's schools to that of sex ed, which, as one NYU education professor describes it, entails "a smattering of information about their reproductive organs and a set of stern warnings about putting them to use.""

"Teachers in Cherokee County Schools feel it is vitally important to teach children about the issues our digital world presents as we use technology in the classroom. But teachers cannot do it alone, parents can reinforce what students learn in school by practicing safe Internet use at home. These web resources will help you learn more about being a good digital citizen and how to keep children safe online."

Worry about information overload has become one of the drumbeats of our time. The world's books are being digitized, online magazines and newspapers and academic papers are steadily augmented by an endless stream of blog posts and Twitter feeds; and the gadgets to keep us participating in the digital deluge are more numerous and sophisticated. The total amount of information created on the world's electronic devices is expected to surpass the zettabyte mark this year (a barely conceivable 1 with 21 zeroes after it).

"A growing number of educators and advocates in the online safety field are now embracing the term 'digital citizenship' to describe education about privacy, safety, security and responsible use of information and communication technologies (ICT). There is also a growing understanding of the importance of beginning this education when a child first starts their use of ICT. "

The full version of this does not seem to exist :(

Described by Christine Love as "a spiritual sequel of sorts to Digital: A Love Story", Don't Take It Personally, Babe, It Just Ain't Your Story is a visual novel that puts a huge emphasis on the way technology has led us to talk to one another differently, while also tackling the usual issues that visual novels styled in this way delve into. You are a new literacy teacher at a high school who is plunged into the lives of your pupils - wherever you like it or not. The school sneakily keeps tabs on pupils by allowing teachers to see all the private messages sent via the local Facebook-style service. Hence, while the main story is playing out, messages will constantly ping in the corner of the screen, and you can keep track of everything going on between your students.

"Cyberbullying is a new version of an old problem that presents a thorny paradox: We can't equip our kids with the skills they need to function in a digital world without inadvertently equipping them to be cyberbullies. Many of the "best" cyberbullies tend to be among our most digitally literate young people. Anyone can send a hate text, but it takes some serious cyberchops to hack a website or a profile page and plaster it with shameful pictures, hurtful messages and false accusations. Advanced technology skills in the hands of a bully are analogous to advanced weaponry in the hands of a terrorist. The more skillfully they are deployed, the more damage they cause."

Some challenging thoughts as to what digital technology may not provide?

A very interesting read regarding the use and non-use of digital technology (specifically smart technology) in schools and the argument for embedded digital citizenship skills across the curriculum.

An excellent article, thanks Noni. It raises a number of valid points to consider.

"In today's world of near-ubiquitous connectivity, in which ordinary people have almost instantaneous access to unlimited stores of information and the ability to interact with anyone, anywhere, anytime, what does it mean to be an effective citizen? What skills and knowledge do our students need to participate fully in a world transformed by technology? What role should our schools play in developing effective digital citizens? "

Turn students into question marks!

A useful list that clearly explains some keys to successful digital research

Schools have significantly different needs and ideas regarding on-line safety, much of it dependent upon their experience and comfort on the spectrum of users of digital media to promote student success. It is necessary for schools and communities to work together to demystify the potential uses and abuses of digital media within and outside the school setting. Understanding the potential for cyberbullying, sexting, or other inappropriate consumption and planning for responsible reactions to such is a priority for the community that wishes to harness the potential of the tools while also keeping children safe.

Provides resources and recommendations for teachers who want to implement digital learning in their school/class.

Excellent blog post sharing ideas to do with cultural and global awareness objectives for students while using digital technologies.

"If you have questions or comments about the material found on this website please click on the Contact Us link to send us your information. If you are interested in reading more about Digital Citizenship please go to the Publications page of this website and click on the link for the Digital Citizenship in Schools book which will connect to the ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) website."

9 elements

"Let's face it: Technology and etiquette have been colliding for some time now, and things have finally boiled over if the recent spate of media criticisms is anything to go by. There's the voicemail, not to be left unless you're "dying." There's the e-mail signoff that we need to "kill." And then there's the observation that what was once normal - like asking someone for directions - is now considered "uncivilized." Cyber-savvy folks are arguing for such new etiquette rules because in an information-overloaded world, time-wasting communication is not just outdated - it's rude. But while living according to the gospel of technological efficiency and frictionless sharing is fine as a Silicon Valley innovation ethos, it makes for a downright depressing social ethic."

A free open online course for primary school teachers to help prepare them for the implementation of the new digital technologies curriculum in Australia which will have compulsory computational thinking & coding from K-8. Started March 24. Register to join.