THE core elements of digital citizenship By ayrton munian

The 9 elements of digital citizenship Digital Access Digital Commerce Digital Communication Digital Literacy Digital Etiquette Digital Law Digital Rights & Responsibilities Digital Health & Wellness Digital Security

1. Digital Access When people have access to the internet, cellphones, electronic information and communication technologies it means that they have Digital Access. Access to the digital world is key to bringing social and economic benefits to businesses, individuals, and the government. Access to electronic devices and the internet transforms the way we live, learn, work and communicate. (Anon 2016)

2. Digital commerce Digital commerce is the buying and selling of goods and services through electronic means or digital channels e.g. the internet, via text message etc.. Digital commerce has evolved so much over recent years that it now includes the process of developing, marketing, selling, buying and even the servicing of products . In essence digital commerce makes use of all channels to provide the platform and space for transactions. (Anon 2016)

3. Digital Communication Digital communication can be expressed as the electronic exchange of information. Data is transferred over a point-to-point communication channel e.g. Whatsapp There are multiple forms of digital communication such as the internet, VoIP, cellphones, instant messaging, social media and blogs. (Anon 2016)

4. Digital literacy Digital literacy is the ability to use the information given to you in conjunction with communication technologies to find, evaluate, create and communicate information. Digital literacy requires cognitive and technical skills. You cant understand information you find on the internet without evaluating its sources and placing it in context (Paul Gister 2010) (Anon 2016)

5. Digital etiquette Digital etiquette can be referred to as a basic set of rules relating to behavior that needs to be followed to make sure the internet can be used by everyone. Digital etiquette is simply showing good manners on the internet. Etiquette rules tend to differ depending on the context. (Anon 2016)

6. Digital Law Digital law can be defined as the electronic accountability for ones actions which are either ethical or unethical. Ethical issues: Copyright access & infringement Accountability Privacy & Security Pornography (Anon 2016)

7. Digital rights and responsibilities Privileges and freedom extended to all digital technology users. There are behavioral expectations that come with rights and responsibilities. As a user of digital technology, you also have the right to privacy and freedom of personal expression. (Anon 2016)

8. Digital health and wellness Digital health and wellness focuses on using technology safely and appropriately. Digital health and wellness can also be defined as the physical and psychological wellbeing of an individual in the digital and technological world. Internet addiction has become an international problem, it can cause fatigue, loss of sleep, behavioral problems and withdrawal from friends and family (Anon 2016)

9. Digital security Digital security refers to safeguarding the ability to use digital information and information systems without intrusion, disruption, unsanctioned access or data gathering . Digital security does not only affect big corporates, they also affect the general public through scams, identity theft, stalking and cyber bullying. (Anon 2016)

The 5 fluencies Solution fluency Creativity fluency Collaboration fluency Media fluency Information fluency

1. Solution fluency (global digital citizen foundation 2016) The ability to define a problem see it clearly, analyze and solve it. There is a 6 step process to solution fluency: Define – Identifying a problem to figure out what needs to be done. Discover – Researching the problem by obtaining background information. Dream - Visualizing a creative solution to the problem. Design – Ways to achieve the solution . Deliver – Implementing the design to achieve the dream and solve the problem Debrief – evaluating your accomplishment

2. Creative fluency (global digital citizen foundation 2016) Creativity adds meaning to virtually every product and organization in existence using innovative design, visual appeal and story telling. The 5 step creativity process: Identify – Figuring out what you need to create Inspire - Filling your brain with sensory information by looking at photos or listening to music which motivate you. Interpolate – “connecting the dots”. Finding a systematized pattern within the known information. Imagine - Forming mental images, feelings and concepts for those that cannot be physically apparent Inspect – Evaluate whether or not you have met what was required.

3. Collaboration fluency (global digital citizen foundation 2016) The ability to work well with others in a team. The 5 step collaboration process: Establish – Determine the role of each member. Envision – Examine, challenge and visual the issue at hand as a group Engineer – Assemble a plan to solve the problem as a group, everyone needs to work together. Execute – Putting the plan into action where everyone contributes. Examine – Determine whether or not the challenge has been a success or failure.

4. Media fluency (global digital citizen foundation 2016) The ways in which we communicate intellectually, emotionally and technologically. Media Fluency is about understanding and leveraging the messages you and other people experience on a daily basis. Listen: Message – What is being communicated to the viewer and how is it being communicated. Medium - The platform of which the message is delivered Leverage: Message – How WE will communicate OUR message and who will receive it Medium – The platform WE choose to convey OUR message

5. Information fluency (global digital citizen foundation 2016) Process that will help to determine the credibility, authenticity and reliability of the information existing. The Process: Ask – Asking relative questions to the topic at hand. Acquire – Determining where the information is accessed from. Analyze – Is there information acquired authentic and reliable? Apply – Apply acquired knowledge to reality Assess – evaluating the result of their application of the knowledge

Reference list Anon. 2016. Fluencies. Global Digital Citizen Foundation, [Blog], 15 May 2015. Available at: https://globaldigitalcitizen.org/21st-century-fluencies [Accessed 1 May 2016]. Anon. 2016. Digital Citizenship Student Manual. DIGC5110 : Digital Citizenship. The Independent Institute of Education: Unpublished