This post originally appeared on our ParentSquare Learning Network blog on November 25, 2019.
Curated by Kaylin Smith at ParentSquare
In this emerging age of new technology, how do we encourage students to communicate with thoughtfulness and compassion both in the classroom and online? When used properly, technology can be a powerful tool for collaboration and spreading innovative ideas.
Getting parents, teachers, and students involved in and aware of the power of Digital Citizenship is the first step in implementing intentional digital communication. Opening the door to this ongoing conversation, we held our first twitter chat on November 13th, 2019, moderated by Brandon Burns (@coachburnz). Participants joined in with #PSquareLN.
Below, you can view a “highlight reel” of tweets, resources, and ideas shared. Check out the full chat here!
Question 1: What Is Digital Citizenship?
“It’s about treating people online with the same respect as we would F2F. It’s about treating people, platforms, and technology with courtesy and kindness.” — Dave Schmittou, @daveschmittou
“DigCit in the education world is learning how to use tech and making a footprint. It is all about safety, learning, respect, and growing.” — Amy Moran, @amoran4
“Digital citizenship is how people use the online world to grow our minds, learn new ideas, have conversations and build new worlds.” — Heather L, @LippertH114
RESOURCE SHARED BY RACHELLE DENE POTH, @Rdene915
RESOURCE SHARED BY JULIE WOODARD, @woodard_julie
RESOURCE SHARED BY MlCHAEL DREZEK, @m_drez
Q2: How Can DigCit Be Incorporated Daily Into Classrooms?
“In the real world we teach citizenship through application. We vote, we govern, we protest, we obey. The same should be true online. We learn through daily encounters with the world we are learning to embrace.” — Dave Schmittou, @daveschmittou
“As I’ve been reading, it is something we must move forward with. Students have 9+ hours a day with technology (not including school) so we must model and be allowed to explore even social media in the classroom in order to mentor them.” — @hikingmaine
“We have worked at getting intentional about this in partnership & collaboration with @digcitinstitute. We meet Ts where they are at and find ways for all to make an active #digcitcommit. It looks different for each class. Our #digcitsummitedu was a highlight.” — Michael Drezek, @m_drez
RESOURCE SHARED BY JENNIFER CASA-TODD, @JCasaTodd
Q3: How Do We Inform Parents/Community on DigCit?
“I like the idea of a tech parent kind of night where parents and kids can come in and talk about tech, become familiar with what the schools are using, and raise awareness of the good and bad associated with tech.” — Tyler Overstreet, @EduOverstreet
“Parents need to be involved. Research (including my own) shows that parental involvement and adult mentorship are crucial.” — Jennifer Casa-Todd, @JCasaTodd
RESOURCE SHARED BY JENNIFER CASA-TODD, @JCasaTodd
Q4: What DigCit Initiative Has Worked Great in Your Classroom, Building, Area?
“Not in the classroom anymore, but I will say I am proud of the work we do @Newsela with providing articles to students about all sorts of topics and issues surrounding digital citizenship…and its all differentiated for all readers to engage in. #PSquareLN” — Tyler Overstreet, @EduOverstreet
“Love when our students take the lead and a community learns together like @LakeShoreCSD https://youtu.be/YTpxzzSUcJw” — Marialice B.F.X. Curran, @mbfxc
“Working with the student leaders for the #GlobalEdSschat provides real and authentic opportunities for #digcit AND an added bonus of having kids connect with one another. https://globaledsschat.com” —Jennifer Casa-Todd, @JCasaTodd
“Our #digcitsummitedu with @digcitinstitute @mbfxc was our initiative. This is what it looked like: https://michaeldrezek.com/2019/04/12/a-digcitsummitedu-experience/” — Michael Drezek, @m_drez
“I have been teaching #digcit in my 8th grade STEAM class, learning about the 9 elements, students create #sketchnotes and we post in the hall for others to see and be aware of #PSquareLN #digcit” — Rachelle Dene Poth, @Rdene915
Thanks so much to all who participated and contributed to this important conversation!
