Developing Digital Citizenship

As a teacher I am always developing, revising and reviewing our class expectations.  As part of the responsive classroom model the students help us develop their expectations for the classroom, hallways and other areas of the building.  These expectations are reviewed in every classroom they enter throughout the day to help guide behaviors and learning.  If we have expectations for classroom work habits and behaviors, shouldn't we also have expectations for the digital world?

Developing digital citizenship is the expectations towards proper use of digital technology not only within the school, but also at home. As part of his dissertation, Mike Ribble, discusses the nine elements of creating a digital citizen. 

 He has organized these elements under the categories of Respect, Educate and Protect.  On his site, Ribble associates each of his nine elements with different levels of instruction in kindergarten through eighth grade.

What's Next?
So we know what we are supposed to teach, but "how" do we teach it in our classrooms, with outdated technology, lack of internet access and so many state standards to cover in the content areas.   


I am lucky to work in a school that offers technology education as one of our student “specials” weekly.  In this course, students are introduced to technology, develop rules for engagement and practice being a good digital citizen.  They learn the importance of being cautious when using social media and how to avoid cyberbullying.  I have watched my kindergarten students go from having no knowledge of technology, to being able to navigate and research independently.

What about the schools that do not have this luxury though?  Is it up to the teacher to develop and teach lessons on digital citizenship?  How do we find the time between reading, math, social studies, science and health?  Do we cut out recess… I don’t want to be on the receiving end of those parent emails! The solution is easy… technology!  Use what you already know… search for digital citizenship lessons online, as you use technology to teach a math lesson review the expectations for use prior to starting.  Do you use programs during your “centers”?  Review expectations during your morning meetings. 

There are many ways to incorporate technology lessons throughout the course of the day, be creative and go with it!