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Teaching Digital Citizenship: Essentials for Teachers in an Online Learning Landscape

March 14, 2023

#Career #Teacher #Online #Learning

Following the pandemic period, much of education has moved online! From online classes, video conferences, to newer teaching tools, your students are gearing up for a future of digital learning. In this era of digitization in education, have you started teaching your students digital citizenship?

If you haven’t heard of digital citizenship, we’re here to help. Read ahead to understand what digital citizenship is and how you can begin teaching it to your students!

Digital Citizenship in an Age of Online Learning

Your students are using digital tools in the classroom and outside of it. Whether you’re aware or not, your students spend many hours on their phones and gadgets, but may have very little understanding of how their online presence affects them. Digital citizenship teaches your students to

  • Behave politely and considerately in online and digital spaces
  • Communicate in a respectful manner in digital spaces
  • Stay aware of the digital environment and potential dangers

With these three principles in mind, it is crucial that you begin to teach your students digital citizenship now! Here are some key areas you should teach them.

Areas of Digital Citizenship to Incorporate in Your Lesson Plans

Here are the digital citizenship ideas you can incorporate into your lesson plans!

The Importance of Privacy in Digital Spaces

When students are introduced to the vast digital world, everything appears to be game! From colourful images to funny videos, you students might watch them all. However, they may not understand the importance between public information and private information including text, images, videos, and other formats.

Teach your students how they can differentiate between the two and how they can access privacy settings in any social media or online account they may have. You can even get your students to set their settings to ‘private’ as a class activity.

Online Security and Safety

While you may understand the impact of online viruses, your students may not. Take a class where you introduce your students to online viruses and malware, how they appear, and how your students can stay safe from them. From identity theft to surveillance, make sure to teach your students the true impact of online viruses.

Additionally, introduce them to passwords and the criteria for a strong password. With this your students can begin a journey of safety and security online.

Etiquette for Online Spaces

Just as there are etiquette for professional settings, there are good mannerisms that make up the digital world. The earlier your students know these, the easier it is for them to learn! What can these look like? From best communication practices online to polite conversation that steers clear of cyber bullying, these principles are crucial.

Teach Your Students Digital Citizenship Today!

If you can put together a great lesson plan on digital citizenship, add it to your resume today! It not only helps you equip your students to be great digital citizens but will also further your career. Watch this space for more!

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