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The 21st century learner is expected to have an Entrepreneurial Spirit, become an Engaged Thinker and be an Ethical Citizen. In order to prepare the 21st century learner, we need to acknowledge the role of technology in our students’ lives and recognize the importance of identifying with them, the qualities of an Ethical Digital Citizen.
Over the course of 13 weeks, the students defined what it means to be a citizen, in a digital world. The students recognized the role of technology in their lives, identified their digital footprint and explored the impact their actions online can have on themselves and others - on and offline. The course is pre-dominantly a project-based, covering eight over-arching themes: Internet-Safety; Privacy and Security; Relationships and Communication; Cyber-bullying; Digital Footprint and Reputation; Self-Image and Identity; Information Literacy; and Creative Credit and Copyright. A key component of the program revolves around the students sharing and presenting what they have learned with the community at large. The various projects completed by students over the term helped them better, understand and summarize what it means to be a digital citizen.
After much discussion and exploration, the students prepared and hosted D.A. Ferguson’s first ever student-led Digital Awareness Evening. The students advertised the event, invited keynote speaker Robin Bright as well as members of Horizon School Board, parents and community members. Students presented their work through round table presentations as well as a Digital Magazine. The students learned “what it means to be a digital citizen, which is the reason the children ran the information night.” Jacob in grade 7 explains how the students were taught about Digital Awareness because the students can teach past and future generation which can then teach the next one, and so on!” This event reinforced students’ learning by allowing them to take the lead and share their work with members of their community.
Digital Citizenship gives students the opportunity to surprise us. Student’s involvement in this project did not end with the digital awareness evening. Five students attended and represented D.A. Ferguson at the U of L Faculty Education Professional Inquiry Symposium. The students did a wonderful job of sharing and explaining digital citizenship and its importance as well as answering audience questions better then most adults.
The students at D.A. Ferguson understand, “The online world is a dangerous place when you don’t know what you’re doing or when you don’t know how to protect yourself.” Christine in grade 7 explain how, “Digital citizenship is important because kids AND adults need to know what is safe and what isn’t online.” Digital Citizenship is not restricted to the young and adults would benefit by learning from the students. We need our students, as much as our students need us. With our support, the students will lead us into a new Digital Age. Let’s be honest… Kids are more digitally aware then most adults. Thanks to this event, now more then ever, students, parents and community members are becoming digitally aware. They understand citizenship in a digital world and know the positive and negative impact their choices can have online and off. When given the opportunity, our students easily stepped into the teacher role and taught parents and members of the community what it means to be a citizen in today’s constantly changing world. Without our students, this event would not have been successful.
Over the course of 13 weeks, the students defined what it means to be a citizen, in a digital world. The students recognized the role of technology in their lives, identified their digital footprint and explored the impact their actions online can have on themselves and others - on and offline. The course is pre-dominantly a project-based, covering eight over-arching themes: Internet-Safety; Privacy and Security; Relationships and Communication; Cyber-bullying; Digital Footprint and Reputation; Self-Image and Identity; Information Literacy; and Creative Credit and Copyright. A key component of the program revolves around the students sharing and presenting what they have learned with the community at large. The various projects completed by students over the term helped them better, understand and summarize what it means to be a digital citizen.
After much discussion and exploration, the students prepared and hosted D.A. Ferguson’s first ever student-led Digital Awareness Evening. The students advertised the event, invited keynote speaker Robin Bright as well as members of Horizon School Board, parents and community members. Students presented their work through round table presentations as well as a Digital Magazine. The students learned “what it means to be a digital citizen, which is the reason the children ran the information night.” Jacob in grade 7 explains how the students were taught about Digital Awareness because the students can teach past and future generation which can then teach the next one, and so on!” This event reinforced students’ learning by allowing them to take the lead and share their work with members of their community.
Digital Citizenship gives students the opportunity to surprise us. Student’s involvement in this project did not end with the digital awareness evening. Five students attended and represented D.A. Ferguson at the U of L Faculty Education Professional Inquiry Symposium. The students did a wonderful job of sharing and explaining digital citizenship and its importance as well as answering audience questions better then most adults.
The students at D.A. Ferguson understand, “The online world is a dangerous place when you don’t know what you’re doing or when you don’t know how to protect yourself.” Christine in grade 7 explain how, “Digital citizenship is important because kids AND adults need to know what is safe and what isn’t online.” Digital Citizenship is not restricted to the young and adults would benefit by learning from the students. We need our students, as much as our students need us. With our support, the students will lead us into a new Digital Age. Let’s be honest… Kids are more digitally aware then most adults. Thanks to this event, now more then ever, students, parents and community members are becoming digitally aware. They understand citizenship in a digital world and know the positive and negative impact their choices can have online and off. When given the opportunity, our students easily stepped into the teacher role and taught parents and members of the community what it means to be a citizen in today’s constantly changing world. Without our students, this event would not have been successful.