Running Head: DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP ESSAY 1

Digital Citizenship Essay

Suzana H. Tran

Grand Canyon University: TEC-530

January 24, 2018

The rapid adoption of iPads and other tablet devices by schools creates a new opportunity

to use the technology in early literacy skill development. Increasingly, students also have access
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to tablets and smartphones at home, giving educators an excellent opportunity to use these

technologies to connect school and home learning activities. However, technology needs to be

used appropriately. For literature purposes, it can be used to integrate iPads into the classroom

effectively to differentiate children and their reading abilities.. Integration of technology into the

classroom to support our 21st-century education system.

Twenty-first century technologies can greatly support early English literacy development.

Although there are proof of benefits, students productivity should be carefully monitored when

utilizing iPads and smart tablet (Northrop, L.l., & Killeen, E.s. (2013).

The definition of citizenship is associated with the respect and responsibility of

individuals in the process of learning how to behave safely and responsibly when using digital

tools. It is also known to include being aware of technology related ethical, societal, and cultural

issues. Digital citizenship provides on of the best elements to promoting safe and responsible use

of the internet. Within the terminology, digital citizenship, there are nine themes of digital

citizenship. The first one is digital access, this includes the increased use of digital tools from

our society. Secondly, digital commerce. Digital commerce is the availability of cyber purchases

of goods from consumers. Consumers need to learn to be positive consumers rather than

breaking the law and utilizing the internet for pornography or gambling. Third, digital

communication. This has changed drastically over the years as we communicate through letter

writing, verbal communication, text messaging, emails, and video calls. People around the world

can communicate with anyone from around the world at anytime. Although this is a positive

aspect in communication, this has also lead to many negative factors as some may use it for

cyberbullying purposes. To name the rest, there is digital literacy, digital etiquette, digital law,

digital rights and responsibilities, digital health and wellness, and digital security. All of these
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digital elements results back to the importance of being safe and responsible when using digital

tools. After careful research, I have found numerous online resources that will provide students,

schools, and districts a foundation of digital citizenship. Through the resource, teachers can

build knowledge for themselves to understand the California Internet Protection Act. These nine

elements will help students and teachers to respect themselves and others, be educated or to

educate, and to protect. These principles will spiral from all grade levels within Kindergarten to

Twelfth grade, Digital Citizenship Using Technology Appropriately

(http://www.digitalcitizenship.net). Within the district level, they can access posters to place at

all school sites, provide activities to train adults, find resources to educate parents within the

district.

As this site was being explored, this network also has links to digital citizenship blogs where any

educator can view additional tips, training, podcast, and curriculum.

The benefit of technology enhances the learner’s engagement and provides teachers with

hands-on lessons, collaborative communication, a mobile working environment, and instant

feedback to check for understanding. Teaching digital literacy is a part of 21st century learning.

Children can access portals in many areas such as the library, computer lab, or classrooms to

promote engagement. Great factor of digital tools allows for students’ accessibility from home.

Additionally, extra time needs to be scheduled to incorporate the technology feature as children

are becoming digital citizens are beginning to meet the ISTE standards for teachers and students.

Embedded in the ISTE student standards, students can, “articulate and set personal goals,

develop strategies leveraging technology to achieve them and reflect on the learning process

itself to improve learning outcomes”, (ISTE, 2016). For all faculties, ISTE teacher standard can
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allows the teachers to differentiate within the classroom by providing digital tools and resources

to all students (ISTE, 2016).

In conclusion, the benefit of educating all users is essential to promoting positive learning

experiences while using digital tools. It’s crucial to educate teachers and provide skillful training

to pass down the knowledge to students. As students are trained to be digital citizens, there will

be greater benefits of using technology in the education field. Differentiation is key to meeting

individual needs, and technology can provide that.

References

International Society for Technology in Education. (2016). ISTE standards for students.

Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/standards/standards/for-students on January 24, 2018

International Society for Technology in Education (2017). ISTE standards: teachers. Retrieved

from http://www.iste.org/standards/standards/standards-for-teachers on January 24, 2018

Northrop, L. l., & Killeen, E. s. (2013). A framework for using iPads to build early literacy
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Skills. Reading Teacher, 66(7), 531-537.