RAISING A DIGITAL CITIZEN IN A DIGITAL WORLD Cyber Awareness in the 21 st Century

Digital Citizens Want to be Engaged Source:

We Live in A Digital World  Today’s digital world is considerably different than the world we grew up in and went to school in  While our students are tech savy and tech literate…they are still young and lack an adult perspective on safety, responsibility and general citizenship  But make no mistake – This generation is highly connected to the digital world

Digital Access is Easily Available  Computers are not the only way to get online.  And Wolf Creek’s network is not the only available network while at school.  Cell phones, PDA’s, Video Game Consoles are internet enabled.  Instant Messaging, , Texting, Devices with Built in Cameras (Phones, DS’s).

Young Canadians are a highly-connected generation: half of teens have computers in their bedrooms tweens use the Internet for two hours daily teens use it for three hours one-third of youth play games online two-thirds of girls use the Internet primarily for socializing

Our Kids are Connected  The Internet is not another world – it’s just another space where kids live their daily lives.  For students, technology is not special … …it just is.  Kids are social by nature and today’s kid’s have multiple options to connect with their peers and others.  Friends are always accessible through , instant messaging, blogs, multiplayer games and cell phones

Understanding the Digital Generation Source:

Our Students Need Guidance

Our World Today  We have young minds operating in a highly connected world, yet they do not have a high developed sense of risk and responsibility  Our students need to understand that online choices have offline consequences  To help guide them as adults, we need to develop a deeper understanding of the digitally connected world and what it means to be good digital citizens  The new Internet is referred to as Web 2.0 – the interactive web

What is Digital Citizenship?  Digital Citizenship is more than just a teaching tool; it is a way to prepare students/technology users for a society full of technology.  Too often we are seeing students as well as adults misusing and abusing technology (sometimes unknowingly). Digital Citizenship should explore issues such as:  Safety Issues  Etiquette  Respect  Social Responsibility  Social Learning Teaching Digital Citizenship starts at an early age and needs continual reinforcement.

Understanding Your Online Profile  Schools and parents need to partner together to teach responsible online behaviour.  Think about your online image for example.  Who will see it?  What should never be posted online?  After information is posted online, it is virtually impossible to remove  The more information you share about yourself, the more that is available.  Have you ever “googled” yourself?

What are Digital Natives Doing Online? Source:

Where Do We Go From Here? Classroom Teacher Resources School Council Awareness Information School Administrators & Teachers Developing Digital Citizenship as a School Culture Safe Web 2.0 Learning Opportunities for Wolf Creek Learners

Passport to the Internet  The Passport to the Internet is an online, interactive Internet literacy tutorial that helps students develop the skills needed to use the Internet safely.  Using simulations of the most popular Internet environments, this interactive resource teaches students about online safety, authenticating online information, recognizing online marketing ploys, protecting their privacy, managing online relationships and dealing with cyberbullying.

Fully interactive Teacher Guide with Lessons and Activities Discussion Questions

The NetSmartz resources are adaptable

Because so many teens are Internet savvy, it is imperative that they also have an understanding of the dangers that exist online and how to deal with them. Watch teens share their own “Real-Life Stories” about issues affecting them on the Internet such as cyberbullying, online enticement, and giving out too much personal information.

Additional Resources    

OK, I Get it – Now What?  Web 2.0 resources present tremendous opportunities to engage students in the world that they naturally interact within  Teachers are seeing the value in integrating Web 2.0 tools in instructional design and are asking how  So the question is: “How do we best leverage these technologies while ensuring appropriate use and student safety?”

Safe Learning Opportunities Wolf Den…a safe online collaborative community in Wolf Creek

Wolf Den Online school communities that can be updated from any web browser….even from your iPhone, iTouch or Blackberry

Wolf Den Sharing resources like documents, wikis, blogs, video clips…all in one location….but within a safe community, where posted content can be easily removed if necessary.

Become Involved in Your Child’s Digital Life  Discussion with School Council  Information in School Newsletters  This is “just life” for our children Edutopia – Common Sense Media - Common Sense Tips - YouTube

Meet Bridger (June 24, 2010) Source:  We need to teach our children balance in using these digital tools appropriately  We need to realize that they pick up these tools much more quickly and at a very early age

What Is My Child’s School Doing?  Comments & Discussion