Journal 1: "Passport to Digital Citizenship" (NETS 5)

Journal #1 “Passport to Digital Citizenship”
Ribble, M. (2009 January). Passport to digital citizenship. Learning and Leading with Technology, 4, Retrieved January 31, 2009, from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/LLIssues/Volume3620082009/DecemberJanuaryNo4/36414r.pdf

This article addresses the fact that we are in an age where most of us feel lost without our technology. Laptops, cell phones, blackberries, etc. have become such an integral part of our work and personal lives that we rely on them for basic things, such as storing our address book or looking up driving directions. The article focuses on using technology appropriately and teaching our students to do so while supporting collaboration, learning, and productivity.
“Passport to Digital Citizenship” describes the nine elements that are key to the concept of digital citizenship. These elements include: digital access, digital commerce, digital communication, digital literacy, digital etiquette, digital law, digital rights and responsibilities, digital health and wellness, and digital security (Ribble, 2009).
The article also covers the process for implementing the ideas into the daily lives called the Four-Stage Technology Learning Framework for Teaching Digital Citizenship. This is basically the same framework that teachers use in many lessons; awareness, guided practice, modeling and demonstration, and feed back and analysis. Another key point Ribble addresses is the fact that parents and community members need to get involved in the conversation about how these nine elements should be addressed with children.

My thoughts are that the article does address an important issue; we do need to take responsibility for how our students use technology. The families need to get involved since many homes have computers, and many children have Ipods or cell phones. Since there is no censorship on the Internet, children can access many unfavorable sites and/or people. The issue of cyber bullying is becoming more prevalent in the news. We need to teach children how to constructively use the Internet in a safe and productive way. They also must learn to use cell phones responsibly. They need to learn when it is appropriate to text or talk on the phone. In my opinion, I think all children as well as adults, should use basic manners when on the cell phone. I have seen people at the checkout in stores talking on the phone while trying to complete a transaction and I think this is rude. Texting or talking on the phone while driving is not safe, yet I see people do it all of the time. Not only is it our responsibility to teach the proper etiquette and use of technology but we must also be role models to our youth.
Questions
1. As an elementary school teacher how would you use one of the nine elements in your classroom to promote digital citizenship?
As an elementary school teacher, I think it would be most appropriate for that age level to focus on the element of digital access. I would show the students how to access the Internet and how to use its different search engines, such as Google or Wikipedia for research and how to determine the validity of websites. I would teach them the difference between .com, .org., .edu, and . gov web addresses. I would also teach students that they can access computers at the local public library if they do not have access to one at home. I would also address the other types of technology that this age group might encounter, for example, cell phone and Ipod use and etiquette. I would make an effort to show students that they can fully participate in a digital society as this element describes.
2. Why do you think it is important to promote digital citizenship in schools?
It is part of the shared responsibility between the home and the school to educate today’s youth about technology and how to safely and effectively use it. Schools should promote awareness, safe opportunities to explore, and a chance to for students to investigate the different technologies available to them. The education of digital citizenship should be as commonplace as teaching responsibility, commitment, and other common character traits in the schools.