Digital Citizenship in Schools

"The internet has allowed us to see what would have otherwise remained unseen. Everyone with access to a smartphone, a Twitter or Facebook account now has the ability to report on what is happening anywhere, at any given moment: a comet crashing, bridge cables snapping, a subway bombing. For this fact alone, I love it. But I've had an increasing personal discomfort on one front. Within the bounds of journalism, the fact that someone accused another of having done something wrong has never been enough to warrant an attack. At the very least, you are required to get the other side of the story - but this principle doesn't apply online."

This second article suggests some ways to use ipads for digital storytelling. It doesn't contain much detail but,as it is the first in a series, it is to be expected that more specific suggestions will follow in subsequent articles.

Digital storytelling is a great way to introduce students to the power of Web 2.0. There are many teachers and teacher librarians already using digital storytelling tools. This article provides some principles as well as ideas for using digital storytelling with students.

As part of our Connected Learning Community, we are highlighting the importance of balance, safety and responsible behavior online (generally called "Digital Citizenship") through a variety of events, lessons and activities.

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.

"LinkedIn is the world's most popular professional networking site, with 238 million users. It rakes in a truckload of money from not very subtle advertising, subscriptions and recruitment agencies and its shares are currently valued at $US231 each. But unlike its social networking friends, Twitter and Facebook, something seems slightly askew with LinkedIn's integrity model."

"Our first phone app, Below the Belt: Sex, Selfies and Cyberbullying, was launched in November 2013 on Google Play. Below the Belt has information on sex and consent, sexting and cyberbullying for young people in Australia, including victims of sexting or cyberbullying and friends who want to support them. As well as providing information about the law in every state, Below the Belt has interactive features young people can use to help navigate the issues."

Having surveyed teenagers in 30 countries, they revealed that the number of teenagers claiming to be active on Facebook (ie. doing more than just "liking" a separate page on the web) had dropped to 56% in the third quarter of 2013, from 76% in the first. The biggest decline in active usage (by 52%) was in the Netherlands; there was a 16% fall for American teens. Where are they going instead? Not surprisingly, it's mobile chat services like WeChat, and photo-sharing apps like Instagram and Snapchat. What's truly startling though, is how quickly global teenagers are taking up the services instead:

A nice infographic to share and provoke discussion.

"At this very moment, many people in Australia are breaching copyright. They are doing creative things, commonplace things, public interest things, things that are improving our community and culture, and they are breaching copyright, often without even being aware of it."

"According to research by Porn Harms, a US organisation, the average age of children's exposure to pornography is 11, but parents and professionals are dealing with exposure issues of children much younger."

"Facebook made a startling admission in its earnings announcement this month: it was seeing a "decrease in daily users, specifically among teens". In other words, teenagers are still on Facebook; they're just not using it as much as they did. It was a landmark statement, since teens are the demographic who often point the rest of us towards the next big thing."

ICT For Educators

From Common Sense media

2010 production - excellent resource for shaping and framing a DLE and approaching digital citizenship

Great guide!