Twelve Mile Coulee Digital Citizenship Plan 2016-2017

This plan is part of the CBE Digital Citizenship Process. Schools must complete this plan:
to be compliant with Administrative Regulation 1062 Use of Electronic Resources.
to allow students to connect to the schools wireless network with their own devices.

TMC Digital Citizenship Plan: Nine Elements

Digital Access (full electronic participation in society)
Technology users need to be aware of and support electronic access for all to create a foundation for Digital
Citizenship. Digital exclusion of any kind does not enhance the growth of users in an electronic society.
At Twelve Mile Coulee, students have access to many forms of digital devices, including computers, both
desktop and laptop, SMART Boards, digital cameras as well as mobile devices like the iPad.
Students are free to bring in their own devices and connect to the LAWN wireless network, which allows for
access to the internet via the CBE filters. To use their own devices, students must sign, return and follow the
Student Digital Citizenship Admirable Use Agreement

Digital Commerce ( electronic buying and selling of goods)

Technology users need to understand that a large share of market economy is being done electronically.
Legitimate and legal exchanges are occurring, but the buyer or seller need to be aware of the issues associated
with it. The mainstream availability of Internet purchases of toys, clothing, cars, food, etc. has become
commonplace to many users.
At Twelve Mile Coulee, students are exposed to the concepts of digital commerce and that it is a viable form
of business transaction. Students may, through daily work or as part of a CTF project, design and create a
product and then investigate how they would go about marketing and selling a product online. Through such
investigation, students will gain an understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of digital commerce.

Digital Communication (electronic exchange of information)

In the 21st century, communication options have exploded to offer a wide variety of choices (e.g., e-mail,
cellular phones, instant messaging). The expanding digital communication options have changed everything
because people are able to keep in constant communication with anyone else. Now everyone has the
opportunity to communicate and collaborate with anyone from anywhere and anytime. Unfortunately, many
users have not been taught how to make appropriate decisions when faced with so many different digital
communication options.
At Twelve Mile Coulee, students are free to bring in their own personal devices, whether they be iPods,
iPads, or their own personal computers. In doing so, students are instructed in the proper use of their
devices within a school learning environment and which behaviours are acceptable and unacceptable.

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Digital Literacy (process of teaching and learning about technology and the use of technology)
Learners must be taught how to learn in a digital society. As new technologies emerge, learners need to learn
how to use that technology quickly and appropriately. Digital Citizenship involves educating people in a new
way these individuals need a high degree of information literacy skills.
At Twelve Mile Coulee, students are provided opportunities to work with new and exciting technologies,
whether they be hardware or software specific. Students learn how to communicate through a variety of
media, including visual, auditory and written text.

Digital Etiquette (electronic standards of conduct or procedure)

Technology users often see this area as one of the most pressing problems when dealing with Digital
Citizenship. We recognize inappropriate behaviour when we see it, but before people use technology they do
not learn digital etiquette (i.e., appropriate conduct). Many people feel uncomfortable talking to others about
their digital etiquette. Often rules and regulations are created or the technology is simply banned to stop
inappropriate use. It is not enough to create rules and policy, we must teach everyone to become responsible
digital citizens in this new society.
At Twelve Mile Coulee, students are given opportunity to learn how to appropriately use technology in a
given environment. The expected norms for technology use within a school are different than in other
environments. Through classroom discussions and reflection, students learn proper etiquette for working
with technology.

Digital Law ( electronic responsibility for actions and deeds)

Digital law deals with the ethics of technology within a society. Unethical use manifests itself in forms of theft
and/or crime. Ethical use manifests itself in the form of abiding by the laws of society. Users need to understand
that stealing or causing damage to other peoples work, identity, or property online is a crime. There are certain
rules of society of which users need to be aware in a ethical society. These laws apply to anyone who works or
plays online. Hacking into others information, downloading illegal music, plagiarizing, creating destructive
worms, viruses or creating Trojan Horses, sending spam, or stealing anyones identify or property is unethical.
At Twelve Mile Coulee, students learn about digital law and how it affects them. Students, through project
work and direct instruction, are taught about the intricacies of digital law and how they can successfully and
legally operate in a technology rich world.

Digital Rights and Responsibilities ( those freedoms extended to everyone in a digital world)
Digital citizens have the right to privacy, free speech, etc. Basic digital rights must be addressed, discussed,
and understood in the digital world. With these rights also come responsibilities. Users must help define how the
technology is to be used in an appropriate manner. In a digital society these two areas must work together for
everyone to be productive.
At Twelve Mile Coulee, students are given opportunities to make connections between traditional rights and
responsibilities and digital rights and responsibilities. Students are viewed as stakeholders and have say in
how technology is used responsibly within the school.

Digital Health and Wellness ( physical and psychological well-being in a digital technology

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world)
Eye safety, repetitive stress syndrome, and sound ergonomic practices are issues that need to be addressed in
a new technological world. Beyond the physical issues are those of the psychological issues that are becoming
more prevalent such as Internet addiction. Users need to be taught that there inherent dangers of technology.
Digital Citizenship includes a culture where technology users are taught how to protect themselves through
education and training.
At Twelve Mile Coulee, students are provided opportunities to discuss the benefits and drawbacks of
technology, whether it be safe practices online or proper posture when typing.

Digital Security/ self protection (electronic precautions to guarantee safety)

In any society, there are individuals who steal, deface, or disrupt other people. The same is true for the digital
community. It is not enough to trust other members in the community for our own safety. In our own homes, we
put locks on our doors and fire alarms in our houses to provide some level of protection. The same must be true
for the digital security. We need to have virus protection, backups of data, and surge control of our equipment.
As responsible citizens, we must protect our information from outside forces that might cause disruption or
harm.
At Twelve Mile Coulee, students are instructed and given opportunities to discuss the notion of digital
security and their role in keeping themselves and others safe. Students are made aware of the importance of
secure passwords, keeping private information private, and other hazards, such as viruses, and malicious
websites and/or emails.

Student Safety
Outcomes for student online safety include:
The school has an acceptable use policy (AUP) modeled on A.R 1062 and A.R. 6001 and it has been
communicated to students.
Appropriate ICT outcomes relating to digital citizenship have been infused in core subjects that relate to student
safety. Consequences for inappropriate use have been communicated to students.
At Twelve Mile Coulee, the following provisions ensure student safety:
The use of the CBE internet filter system to ensure students have access to appropriate websites.
Teacher supervision when students are on the internet.
Education concerning the potential dangers of the internet.
Education concerning proper use of technology.
Education regarding digital rights and responsibilities.

Student Learning
At Twelve Mile Coulee, the following provisions ensure student learning:
Provision of various forms of technology, including but not limited to desktop computers, laptop
computers, mobile devices, digital cameras, document cameras, SMART Boards.

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 Education, for teachers and students, on how to effectively use the available technology.
Project Based learning that utilizes technology as an essential component
Education regarding digital law, including digital copyright, and how such ideas can be incorporated
into the learning process.

Staff Professional Development

At Twelve Mile Coulee, the following provisions ensure staff professional development:
Ongoing formal and informal sessions that educate staff on the use of specified technology in the
classroom.
Establishment of a collaborative learning environment where all participants, teachers and students,
have the opportunity to act as learners and teachers.
Participation in external professional development opportunities, such as webinars.

Student Owned Devices

At Twelve Mile Coulee, the following provisions are concerned with the use of student owned devices:
Students are free to bring in their own devices.
Personal devices connect to the CBE wireless network and are subject to the CBE internet filter
system.
Students are instructed in how to keep their device safe and secure.
Students are responsible for their own devices.
Students must sign, return and follow the Student Digital Citizenship Acceptable Use Agreement

Parent Communication
At Twelve Mile Coulee, the following provisions ensure effective parent communication:
Ongoing formal and informal communication through the use of the school and classroom websites,
email and D2L.
Information sessions regarding Digital Citizenship help at School Council Meetings.

References
Calgary Board of Education (2012). Digital Citizenship. [ONLINE] Available at: http://
www.cbe.ab.ca/programs/technology-for-learning/Pages/Digital-Citizenship.aspx
Nine Elements. (2012). digital citizenship: Using technology appropriately. Retrieved July 9, 2012, from
http://digitalcitizenship.net/Nine_Elements.html

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