Digital Citizenship in NISD: It's a Team Effort!

As we start a new school year, our teachers are focused on setting clear norms and expectations for their classes. These expectations don’t simply apply to the physical classroom, but to digital spaces as well. The NISD digital citizenship curriculum jumpstarts conversations that will be looped in throughout the year as students navigate their digital spaces. The NISD vision for digital citizenship is that “Northwest ISD will develop citizens who know how to harness the learning potential of digital media in a 24/7 connected world, safely, effectively, ethically, and respectfully. By developing and practicing these skills, students will become leaders in this digital society and be Future-Ready.”

We believe the five digital citizenship lessons delivered to students are relevant, beneficial, and timely. We also know these lessons alone will not produce good digital citizens. Digital Citizenship is an ongoing conversation and a shared task by teachers, families, and students. We’ll explore how all three of these groups can work together to help our students navigate their digital world.

AGE APPROPRIATE LESSONS: 

Each of the five lessons focus on the same topic K-12, but is adjusted based on the grade band. For example, “Module 1: Digital Identity and Reputation” includes vocabulary words such as “Digital Citizen” and “Digital Footprint,” across all grade lessons. With that said, definitions are defined and explored differently in each grade level. Module 1 includes a Chromebook pledge laying out digital norms for students in an age appropriate format. It also helps students take ownership of their digital responsibility at school. Take a peak at how this lesson grows with our students: 

K-2 Chromebook Pledge, 3-5 Chromebook Pledge, & 9-12 Diving into the RUP

TEACHERS - A GLIMPSE INTO THE CLASSROOM:

3rd Grade at Nance Elementary

3-12 lessons are run in Pear Deck to give each student and every class a voice in the conversation. Mrs. Kuhlman, 3rd Grade at Nance Elementary, leads her students through Module 1 where students not only sign the Chromebook pledge, but they look at scenarios to decide what they can control when it comes to their digital footprint.

Mrs. Gilmore, Kindergarten at Nance Elementary points out, “I think the lessons have done a great job of being relatable to the students and their experiences with technology.  We loved getting up and moving during the first lesson to act out how we use the different parts of our bodies to be good digital citizens.”

After learning about what is means to be a Digital Citizen, our youngest K-2 learners complete a Seesaw activity. Mrs. Wheat’s 1st grade class at Roanoke Elementary learned that a good digital citizen sets screen time limits and asks a trusted adult before playing games or visiting new sites. Check out some of their work: 

Click the Image to Enlarge

Teachers can also request a Digital Citizenship poster at the end of the five lessons and make the #1toWorld Promise as a class. 

Our NISD teachers weave the content from digital citizenship into lessons organically throughout the year. 

STUDENTS: TAKING OWNERSHIP & RESPONSIBILITY:

When asked what they learned after the first module of digital citizenship, Reagan from Mrs. Wheat’s 1st grade class said, “A good digital citizen is kind online.” She adds “You should set a timer so you’re not online too long because your eyes might hurt.” Olumide, another one of Mrs. Wheat’s students commented, “make sure to ask an adult for help if you’re on a site you shouldn’t be on.”

Our youngest digital citizens have reflective thoughts as well. Listen to what a few of Mrs. Gilmore’s students have to say after their first lesson together: 

When asked why Digital Citizenship lessons are important, Brandon (5th grade at Granger Elementary) commented, “These lessons are good to learn now, so we don’t have to pay a consequence later for not knowing how to act online.” Within 3-5 digital citizenship lessons, students have learned that technology use at home and school may look different. Brandon points out, “At school, you can only control yourself. If your friends are on a site they aren’t supposed to be, it’s your responsibility to stay on task.” Amelia adds, “You can also remind your friends to stay on websites that they are supposed to be on.” She adds, “At school we use our computers for school.” 

Amelia, Brandon, and Jason all enjoy online games outside of school such as Super Smash Bros, Minecraft, & Roblox. They agree that digital citizenship helps remind them that they are in control of what they choose to play and how long they play. Jason adds, “I need to watch appropriate videos and every once in a while play a game when it’s appropriate and fun.”  

Many high school students will be receiving Module 1 of Digital Citizenship in the coming weeks.

FAMILIES - PARTNERING WITH SCHOOLS:

We know families are the primary influences in their children’s lives. We don’t want the digital citizenship conversation to stop at school. The instructional technology team has created a Digital Citizenship Family HUB to help parents carry on conversations at home. For each module given at school there is a document including talk talk conversation starters, a family challenge, and tips for creating family boundaries:

Kay Granger elementary is going to partner with families and offer a Digital Citizenship focused dinner this October to the first fifteen families to complete each module of the family HUB. The purpose of the dinner is to reflect on the Family HUB and have conversations centered around digital citizenship. It will be screen free dinner and a chance to bring all three parties together: Teachers, Students, and Families.

Explore the Digital Citizenship Curriculum, Access the Family HUB, and Learn More at digitalcitizenship.nisdtx.org 

Follow the Digital Citizenship journey on twitter with the #1toWorldPromise 

Credit to Common Sense Media as the instructional technology team uses and modifies their resources in the creation of our curriculum.