Choose Your Own Adventure - Digital Citizenship for Young Students
This week I chose to take a deep dive into the world of digital citizenship for young students, because, let’s face it - children have been using iPads, tablets and their parents' phones since toddlerhood. I teach in a first grade classroom where the students use ipads to independently read or practice self-paced math programs that have been district approved. They access these apps through Clever which is a platform that only allows students to use apps that have been previously downloaded into that one space. It requires each student to sign in with their own personalized QR code and then students can freely navigate through apps that have been approved and placed into that platform. It is a great safeguard for teachers; however, of course, students must be watched to ensure that they do not exit out of Clever. That being said, this led me to my decision to investigate digital citizenship for young students. I do not believe that first grade or even kindergarten is too young to start learning about digital citizenship and safety around technology.
The first resource that I found was actually a great YouTube video on tips to be a good digital citizen. Tips to be a good digital citizen by CBC Kids. This short video first defined what it means to be a digital citizen - someone who makes good choices in the online world, then it gave some brief tips on internet safety such as privacy, not believing everything you see and finally mentions how one should only use technology to help, not hurt people or to make a positive impact on the world.
Another very thorough and valuable resource for teachers was found at: Common Sense Education. This is an in-depth already created curriculum geared toward all ages (including younger students) that teaches about digital citizenship in an age appropriate way with tons of resources. This site had lists of apps and websites, worksheets, vocabulary words, tips and resources, professional development, and a family newsletter. It was GREAT!
Another YouTube video geared towards slightly older students found here: Digital Lessons - described responsible use of technology for kids including cyberbullying, online privacy, and again, deciphering real vs. fake information found on the internet.
Book List
In addition to videos and websites, I also generated a list of children’s books that cover many different themes involved with digital citizenship.
Selfie by Sandy Horsley: Sylvie, who loves to take #selfies but learns it's more important to be a good friend and to live in the moment having fun.
The Couch Potato by Jory John
Mitsy and the Big Bad Nosy Wolf by Teresa Bateman
Staying Safe Online by Louie Stowell
Me, Myselfie and I...A Cautionary Tale by Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell
The Technology Tail by Julia Cook
Chicken Clicking by Jeannie Willis
Nerdy Birdy Tweets by Aaron Reynolds
Cell Phoney by Julia Cook
Clicker the Cat by Kyla Cullinane
I also stumbled across a blog that included SO MANY awesome book titles on the topic!
Book List - The Library Voice Blogspot
Finally - I found this Digital Citizenship Padlet https://padlet.com/shannonmmiller/picture-books-for-digital-citizenship-and-media-literacy-con-z8b16d3mqddf that included many of the same book titles that I found all condensed into one place.
This topic is one that has many different layers based on the age of your student population. I enjoyed researching all about it and I plan on using some of these resources with my students in the coming months. It may be particularly helpful prior to summer time when some children may find themselves on technology more often than during the school year. I can also share some of these resources with parents, as I am sure all parents share in concerns about technology and where it can lead young children who are not ready to be exposed to all that is out there.
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