When center college trainer Kim Lepre was invited to evaluation this Digital Citizenship Initiative, she anticipated the standard reminders about on-line security. However she was pleasantly stunned to seek out a lot extra to assist get her college students pondering and speaking about their digital lives in new methods. Obtainable as a part of Verizon’s Digital Wellness sources by way of a partnership with Discovery Schooling, the initiative gives versatile sources that assist college students discover what it actually means to be accountable on-line.
On this Trainer Choose, Kim shares how this system sparked significant conversations in her classroom and gave college students an opportunity to observe good decision-making within the digital world.
What have been your preliminary ideas in regards to the Digital Citizenship Initiative?
At first, I anticipated a reasonably typical digital security lesson—reminders to “watch out on-line.” However as soon as my college students really tried the teachings, I noticed how interactive and discussion-based they’re.
After reviewing the supplies, what stood out to you most in regards to the initiative?
What stood out was how naturally my college students engaged with it. They weren’t simply listening to me, they have been analyzing posts, debating dangers, and even competing to provide you with the most secure however nonetheless partaking variations of a social publish. For me because the trainer, the largest win was that it didn’t really feel like I used to be pulling tooth to get them to take part.
How did you introduce the subject of digital citizenship to your college students?
I launched it throughout our advisory block, and it labored completely as a mixture of brief video plus hands-on exercise. It hooked the children immediately, and it gave us a typical language for speaking about on-line security. I might additionally see it working as a fast plug-in lesson throughout ELA or social research once we discuss viewers and duty.
Which elements of the Digital Citizenship Initiative do you suppose would resonate most along with your college students? Why?
The post-makeover exercise was their favourite. They loved the problem of taking one thing dangerous and remodeling it right into a secure however nonetheless enjoyable publish (crammed with Gen Alpha slang). It felt related to them as a result of they’re already posting on social media day by day.
It ties straight into our ongoing conversations about being accountable on-line. We speak lots about how phrases and actions matter in particular person, and this program helps lengthen that to college students’ digital lives. It reinforces the concept that each publish, remark, or share is a alternative that displays who they’re, and that accountable on-line habits is simply as necessary as accountable habits within the classroom.
What do you suppose college students might acquire from taking part on this initiative?
I recognize that it frames college students as problem-solvers. As an alternative of simply obeying guidelines as instructed, college students labored by way of actual eventualities and made safer decisions on their very own. Additionally, not all college students are allowed on social media, so I favored that this confirmed them how one can responsibly use it.
It makes the idea of a digital footprint tangible. As an alternative of listening to “watch out,” they see precisely how small decisions—like a location tag or picture element—can have lasting results.
How might these supplies lengthen to assist mother and father and households at residence?
The teachings are easy sufficient that youngsters can take them residence and clarify what they realized. A number of college students talked about speaking to their mother and father about cookies or app permissions after class.
What recommendation would you give to different lecturers who’re contemplating utilizing the Digital Citizenship Initiative of their school rooms?
Don’t overthink it. Simply attempt it out with one video or one exercise. The supplies are versatile sufficient to suit into any class interval. Plus, it’s straightforward to choose and select which of them match into your pacing or the grade you train.
You might use these classes at a mother or father night time or throughout a group tech occasion. Our faculty has hosted related occasions round on-line security and psychological well being, so this might match proper in.
What do you recognize most in regards to the initiative’s method to educating digital duty?
It treats college students as able to making good decisions. The supplies aren’t fear-based or punitive. It demonstrates sensible methods, which makes them take extra possession over their on-line habits.
Why do you suppose packages like this are necessary in at the moment’s school rooms?
Prefer it or not, digital areas are the place children spend a lot of their time, even when it’s behind their mother and father’ backs. Simply as we train them how one can work in teams or resolve conflicts face-to-face, we have now to equip them with the abilities to do the identical on-line.
Watch Kim’s video evaluation of the Digital Citizenship Initiative beneath.
Entry the free classes, movies, and supplies that Kim utilized in her classroom on the Digital Citizen Initiative’s website.
Be taught extra about Verizon’s Digital Wellness packages that empower educators and households construct more healthy relationships with expertise on the Verizon website.
Trending Merchandise
