Reflections on the Digital Citizenship Course
This course has been full of information and expanded my understanding about digital citizenship. Coming into this course I thought I had a solid understanding of digital citizenship, but I learned that there is so much more depth and breadth embodied in that phrase. I had never heard of the nine elements of digital citizenship before and realized I have some work to do with becoming a better digital citizen. Before, one of my first thoughts when I heard digital citizenship was always cyberbullying. And while cyberbullying (addressed through digital etiquette) is a prominent aspect of digital citizenship, I now realize that being a good digital citizen also includes advocating for equal access to technology for everyone and protecting our rights. I realize that good digital citizens follow digital laws and respect others’ work by heeding copyrights and creative common licenses. I learned that part of digital citizenship is finding an effective balance between online and offline behaviors, which I hadn’t really considered before. Digital citizenship also includes security, which is critical as our online world expands. I need to do a better job of protecting myself online and monitoring my digital footprint and teaching my students and children to do the same.
My biggest accomplishment and simultaneously, my best work in this course was creating a tech presentation on digital citizenship that I can use immediately with my faculty. Because there are so many incredible resources already available on digital citizenship, I really had to think about the needs of my campus and what would be the best first step in introducing digital citizenship. In its creation, I learned the importance of balancing sage on the stage with group collaboration and participation. Just as this course has facilitated a deeper understanding of digital citizenship, I wanted to provide that same opportunity for our campus to discover, discuss, and create a plan to move forward. I think it is my best work and biggest accomplishment because of the amount of thought and effort I put into its creation for it to be a meaningful experience for our campus. This required a lot of sifting through awesome resources and determining the right fit to promote conversation, allow for ah-ha moments, and excite my campus about digital citizenship through a deeper understand of its significant role in our lives and our students’ lives.
Without doubt, the biggest challenge of this course was the heavy load of reading and lengthy assignments. Balancing work, school, and family life was difficult throughout this course, especially the week focused on copyright. That could be a standalone course with how much information was crammed into that one week. I definitely learned a lot I didn’t know before and realized how easy it is to inadvertently violate copyright laws. I also know that it is a topic I will have to review multiple times to allow it to really sink in.
Digital citizenship doesn’t only exist within school settings, and while I have an important job as an educator to teach and model digital citizenship, I have realized I have a more significant role outside of the classroom with my family. My children range from 10 years old to 18 and have access to technology through multiple devices. This course has opened my eyes to what I need to do better with my children to protect them and teach them how to be good digital citizens. I’ve checked in on their devices more frequently since starting this course and have reviewed safety protocols. My kids tend to think they know it all, but my job as their parent is to ensure they stay safe and really know how to identify scams, respect copyright and creative commons, and protect their personal information. This course made me think about the information I post online, especially regarding my children and who has access to that information. Am I making our family too accessible? I have reevaluated my privacy settings and need to have ongoing conversations with my kids about their settings as well as discussions about what and how much information they share with the world.
It’s difficult to choose the one most useful or powerful thing I learned in this course because I learned so many things. Hoping to pursue a career in educational technology leadership, I think learning about our digital footprints was powerful, because it is something that we can’t escape. Everything we do online becomes a permanent addition to our digital footprint. As an educator and a parent this is an important message that our youth need to hear repeatedly. They don’t always consider the future ramifications or implications of their actions, and though people definitely grow and change, it is an unfortunate reality that online behaviors cannot be so easily undone or erased. Learning about the lasting effects of our digital interactions also helps me continue growing as an educational leader. It has made me more cognizant of my digital profile and how I brand myself. Searching my name was a great check-in for me and something I need to do more often. We need to empower our students to be good digital citizens and establish an online footprint they will be proud of. Putting on a leadership hat, I have to think about how we teach and model digital citizenship on our campus, evaluating where we can improve and what is done well. I think it’s an area we can create a deeper impact, but teachers have to see the connection within and across content areas so the message is consistent and students have constant opportunities to practice and reflect on their digital footprint and citizenship.
Aside from the crazy workload, I really enjoyed everything about this course on digital citizenship. I think my favorite aspect was the choice in creating our projects and presentations. I love the COVA model because it allows me to have authentic experiences in creation that is most meaningful for my audience and my learning. That being said, if I were to change one of the activities I did for this course, it would be the animated video. I still feel very novice when it comes to creating videos of any sort, and feel like with more time I could do a better job and make it more impactful, insightful, and more organic rather than so formulaic.
This is an awesome course that is completely and immediately relevant and applicable for our lives today. To any future students, do not procrastinate because there is so much information to take in, procrastination will make it extra overwhelming and you won’t get the most out of the course. Really take time to connect and apply what you learn with your daily experiences and your students. Are your students completing a digital project? That’s a great time to apply what you learn about copyright. Create opportunities to teach and model what you are learning in your current role and give students the opportunity to practice and reflect. Participate in the discussions and weekly webconferences. There is a lot of powerful information crammed into this course. Don’t get overwhelmed! Take it week by week and apply what you are learning in your own life and in your classroom. That’s how you’ll get the most out of this course.
My biggest accomplishment and simultaneously, my best work in this course was creating a tech presentation on digital citizenship that I can use immediately with my faculty. Because there are so many incredible resources already available on digital citizenship, I really had to think about the needs of my campus and what would be the best first step in introducing digital citizenship. In its creation, I learned the importance of balancing sage on the stage with group collaboration and participation. Just as this course has facilitated a deeper understanding of digital citizenship, I wanted to provide that same opportunity for our campus to discover, discuss, and create a plan to move forward. I think it is my best work and biggest accomplishment because of the amount of thought and effort I put into its creation for it to be a meaningful experience for our campus. This required a lot of sifting through awesome resources and determining the right fit to promote conversation, allow for ah-ha moments, and excite my campus about digital citizenship through a deeper understand of its significant role in our lives and our students’ lives.
Without doubt, the biggest challenge of this course was the heavy load of reading and lengthy assignments. Balancing work, school, and family life was difficult throughout this course, especially the week focused on copyright. That could be a standalone course with how much information was crammed into that one week. I definitely learned a lot I didn’t know before and realized how easy it is to inadvertently violate copyright laws. I also know that it is a topic I will have to review multiple times to allow it to really sink in.
Digital citizenship doesn’t only exist within school settings, and while I have an important job as an educator to teach and model digital citizenship, I have realized I have a more significant role outside of the classroom with my family. My children range from 10 years old to 18 and have access to technology through multiple devices. This course has opened my eyes to what I need to do better with my children to protect them and teach them how to be good digital citizens. I’ve checked in on their devices more frequently since starting this course and have reviewed safety protocols. My kids tend to think they know it all, but my job as their parent is to ensure they stay safe and really know how to identify scams, respect copyright and creative commons, and protect their personal information. This course made me think about the information I post online, especially regarding my children and who has access to that information. Am I making our family too accessible? I have reevaluated my privacy settings and need to have ongoing conversations with my kids about their settings as well as discussions about what and how much information they share with the world.
It’s difficult to choose the one most useful or powerful thing I learned in this course because I learned so many things. Hoping to pursue a career in educational technology leadership, I think learning about our digital footprints was powerful, because it is something that we can’t escape. Everything we do online becomes a permanent addition to our digital footprint. As an educator and a parent this is an important message that our youth need to hear repeatedly. They don’t always consider the future ramifications or implications of their actions, and though people definitely grow and change, it is an unfortunate reality that online behaviors cannot be so easily undone or erased. Learning about the lasting effects of our digital interactions also helps me continue growing as an educational leader. It has made me more cognizant of my digital profile and how I brand myself. Searching my name was a great check-in for me and something I need to do more often. We need to empower our students to be good digital citizens and establish an online footprint they will be proud of. Putting on a leadership hat, I have to think about how we teach and model digital citizenship on our campus, evaluating where we can improve and what is done well. I think it’s an area we can create a deeper impact, but teachers have to see the connection within and across content areas so the message is consistent and students have constant opportunities to practice and reflect on their digital footprint and citizenship.
Aside from the crazy workload, I really enjoyed everything about this course on digital citizenship. I think my favorite aspect was the choice in creating our projects and presentations. I love the COVA model because it allows me to have authentic experiences in creation that is most meaningful for my audience and my learning. That being said, if I were to change one of the activities I did for this course, it would be the animated video. I still feel very novice when it comes to creating videos of any sort, and feel like with more time I could do a better job and make it more impactful, insightful, and more organic rather than so formulaic.
This is an awesome course that is completely and immediately relevant and applicable for our lives today. To any future students, do not procrastinate because there is so much information to take in, procrastination will make it extra overwhelming and you won’t get the most out of the course. Really take time to connect and apply what you learn with your daily experiences and your students. Are your students completing a digital project? That’s a great time to apply what you learn about copyright. Create opportunities to teach and model what you are learning in your current role and give students the opportunity to practice and reflect. Participate in the discussions and weekly webconferences. There is a lot of powerful information crammed into this course. Don’t get overwhelmed! Take it week by week and apply what you are learning in your own life and in your classroom. That’s how you’ll get the most out of this course.