We are ALL Digital Citizens NOW!

4/2/2020

No doubt, these are unprecedented times. Schools across the nation have shut their doors as we keep our distance to try to flatten the curve. The role of technology in our lives has blown up overnight as schools implement remote learning, we telecommute into work, and socialize via Zoom. More than ever, we are living and learning in digital spaces. More than ever, we are engaging in digital communities. More than ever, we are active citizens in the digital world.

This is new territory for many of us, and it's new for our students. As we begin to navigate these new digital learning spaces together, why not introduce the concept of digital citizenship? Just introducing the term will give students an opportunity to see themselves as part of a community and embrace their responsibility to positively contribute & work toward the collective welfare for all community members.

When we share the language of "digital citizenship" with our students, it opens the door for us to think and talk about digital behaviors in new ways. It gives us a chance to say, "We are citizens of the same community. What are our responsibilities to each other? How will we behave? How will we hold ourselves and each other accountable for our digital decisions?"

I've created a set of 6 posters (sized 8.5 x 11) designed to help teachers introduce the language of digital citizenship. I hope that they can help you... help your students identify as digital citizens who make healthy and positive digital decisions.

Please use and share the posters with your students and colleagues.

And teachers...thank you. Thank you for all you're doing to foster a sense of normalcy for your students, promote learning, and to model flexibility, resiliency, and lifelong learning during these challenging times. You are all heroes!

Cheers,
LeeAnn