21st Century Literacy and Digital Citizenship

          This week focused on 21st Century Literacy and Digital Citizenship. "Digital Citizenship: Using Technology Appropriately" identifies nine elements of digital citizenship, including

• digital access
• digital commerce
• digital communication
• digital literacy
• digital etiquette
• digital law
• digital rights and responsibilities
• digital health and wellness
• digital security (self-protection)

Of these nine elements, I feel that digital access, digital communication, digital etiquette, and digital literacy are most relevant to our course content. Digital access reflects the idea that not everyone has the same access to technology. As educators, we must realize that each child in our classroom may not have opportunities to utilize technology outside of school. Other resources may need to be provided for these students in order to level exisitng inequalities. Providing access to technology throughout the school day is an excellent way to ensure equal opportunities for our students. When accessing technology, digital citizens must understand digital communication, etiquette, and literacy. Digital communication allows peopls to remain in constant contact; however, some users do not make appropriate decisions when it comes to digital communication. For this reason, it is appropriate to instruct students about digital etiquette, or knowing standards of conducts and procedures. Digital natives, in particular, must realize that what they post online is permanent and can be accessed by nearly everyone, everywhere. Finally, digital literacy is, in my opinion, the most relevant element of digital citizenship (in regards to this course). Digital literacy refers to the teaching and learning about technology and its uses. Literacy has a much different meaning in the 21st Century and the world of Web 2.0. Users must possess new skills in order to participate and succeed in today's digital society. Digital citizens must create, communicate, collaborate, and think critically in order to be "literate." As technology continues to transform, so will the elements of digital citizenship. It is the responsibility of eduators to teach, develop, and ecourage these skills in students.
          Aside from exploring these resources regarding digital citizenship, I also played Digital Citizenship, Digital Footprint, and Internet Safety games. These games are intended to instruct young digital natives about these important aspects of internet use. Each game shows a 10-15 second video clip followed by a multiple-choice question regarding the information in the video. Being an adult, the games were very simple for me. However, I realize how these games could be implemented throughout classroom instruction to inform students about these concepts. With the internet becoming increasing accesible to young students, they must know and understand appropriate interenet use. These games are a quick, fun, and effective way to inform students without lecturing them. Students will enjoy playing the games, and won't even realize they're learning an important lesson! Check out my scores below!