Digital Citizenship

Knowing the rules and safety of digital citizenship are the number one thing to go over when starting the school year. Technology is everywhere and used so much in schools, and it is up to us to teach students how to properly use it. There are a lot of things on the internet that can trick students, and pull them into sites that could be inappropriate. Smart and Safe technology rules in schools helps students build strong knowledge about web usage, and they become more responsible and require less monitoring. We teach them the important of copyright techniques, and how to copy and use information from other sources. Another reason why this is so important, is to showcase to students that what is on the internet, is there forever. They are creating a digital footprint when they write or post something on the internet, it can be linked back to them.
How I as a teacher can create ways to teach about digital citizenship, is teach a lot about cyber bullying, digital-drama, self-image, and  basic internet safety. Cyber bullying is something that is increasing in schools, and everything is on social media. Students as young as third grade, going through junior high, and high school, are posting, liking, sharing, and commenting constantly. Cell phones are always making their appearance in the classroom, so that is another thing with digital citizenship and cyber bullying that MUST be taught. Even when I was in high school, people used their cellphones to bully and harass other people. I was bullied the worst when I was in 6th grade, but I didn't have a cell phone, and honestly I am very glad I didn't, because I can only imagine how those girls and boys would have treated me digitally. I will use personal examples that students can connect personally with their teacher, as well as show videos, and share stories that show real examples of how abusing technology can turn for the very worst. I will spend time on different aspects of digital citizenship, and have students write goals, and make personal digital citizenship contracts.
The biggest thing I want to do in my classroom, is teach this at the start of the year, and make a class contract about digital citizenship, that everyone signs and promises that they will uphold their deal with the contract. Technology is running the world, but I will not let it run my students. 

Digital Citizenship Broken Down
Specific Digital Citizenship Topics