Digital citizenship means character education for the Digital Age.

It is to balance the individual empowerment of digital technology with a sense of personal, community, and global responsibility. (Ohler, 2011). Schools have a very important role to play in helping students to assume digital citizenship. It is no longer correct to assume that students unplug when they go to school and plug in at the end of the day. To ignore the fact that they are accessing information 24/7 is to leave them unprepared to face the dangers of the digital world. In refusing to teach them the issues surrounding digital responsibility, we leave them open to dangerous possibilities like cyberbullying, sexting, identity theft, or sexual predators. These are unhealthy side-effects of a digital diet of unmonitored technologies in overdrive. To start a digital health initiative to help students merge their two lives into one, schools need to help them navigate the digital world in an informed way. Teachers will need to infuse technology into their lessons to foster the development of character that is considered acceptable to society. Building on topics like Etiquette, Ethics, Proper Communication skills, Digital Commerce, Safety, and Security and integrating them transparently into projects done in class or collaborating online can help our students to navigate the digital world in a healthy and safe way. When teachers refuse to, or cannot integrate technology into their classroom, it reaffirms that students are living two lives, not one, and that they should pursue their digital interests apart from the help of adults, teachers or the school system (Ohler, 201, P.26). Schools have a choice to make in how they respond to the problems like cyberbullying or sexting. They can either respond to each child as they are involved in the case, they can block internet resources, or they can create programs for character education that will proactively prevent these problems. We need to talk to our children about how to live digital lifestyles that are informed, safe and healthy. (Ohler, 2011, p. 27). According to Baylor (2002), technology leadership, teachers being open to change and teacher non-school use of computers influences how well technology is integrated into schools. After conducting a study of 94 classrooms, Baylor shows that these three variables affect student learning more than just placing technology in the classroom. Administrators need to be positive role models in encouraging the use of technology, and teachers should engage in professional development that will give them confidence in their abilities, and be relevant to their particular subjects. It is important that before schools implement a technology use plan (TUP), they should involve all the stakeholders. These would be the parents, administrators, teachers and students. The plan should focus on improving the cognitive ability of the students. It should be used as a tool to analyze, compare, evaluate, and create. If used properly it could extend the intellectual capacity of the learner by teaching them to be problem solvers and analyze information to draw valid conclusions (Baylor, 2002). Levinson (2010) talks about the several elements of creating a customized plan, and that it is important to remember that the idea of one size fitting all does not apply to solving digital problems. y y y y y The first step is to bring together the stackeholders-students, teachers, administrators and parents- to discuss the problems associated with using technology, in their community. Use this information to create curricular action plans using resources like Common Sense Media. This would involve the education of students as well as their parents. Provide guidance on implementing the lessons in the classrooms, and making sure parents are informed and aware of in-school activities. Resolve problems related to use or misuse of the technology with the input of all stakeholders. Provide ongoing professional development on technology for administrators and teachers.

One of the problems we have in our school is the misuse of the internet in an unsafe, unsecure, and unethical manner. Parent have provided their children cell phones, ipods, and laptops, but they do not monitor how they use them or how much time they are spending using these devices for social networking. As a result, teachers complain of students failing to turn in assignments, and some parents complain that their children are showing behavioral changes like with-drawing from family and friends. These are alarming signs and some changes needs to happen to help these families educate, yet protect their children. Since there is such an opposition to the use of technology, first the administration and teachers need to be convinced that technology can be used to enhance education, not just make presentations. There are many lesson plans that can be accessed to show this concept. Click here to see some examples on the Common Sense Media Site. In structuring the action plan the three goals are to educate the teachers, parents and students. 1) Teachers, there must be a shift from fear-based education to Literacy and digital citizenship. In using the approach of Common Sense Media, three concepts need to be covered in all lesson plans. These are Safety, Digital Citizenship, and Resources. Take a look at this lesson plan covering doing the right thing when dealing with cyberbullying. It has student handout. It defines terms and suggests ways to open discussions surrounding the topic. Vocabulary words are defined and alignment to NETS standards is shown. Ethical behavior is discussed to educate what is considered right and wrong in the digital world. 2) A discussion guide and video that act as conversation starters with parents can be

presented with this video http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/04/cyber-bullying-real-teen-_n_993492.html

a) Parents need to be reassured that we will be teaching their child to use the internet responsibly and safely. A handout can be given to them explaining that some of the safety online tips we will be teaching their child include the following : - How to send online messages responsibly to avoid compromising or uncomfortable -

situations. Be aware of inappropriate messages that are received, and to seek help from a trusted adult when anything is questionable. Educate them on sharing personal information online that can be risky. Educate them on Social Networking responsibly, being aware impressions created and audiences. Teach them to be aware of Identity Theft issues and being careful to protect private information.

b) Parents also need to play a part in supporting the school in educating the students. We can direct them to sites like http://www.commonsensemedia.org/educators/parent-media-education where they can get guidance and stay informed. They can also learn tips like: - Have conversations with your child about how to use the internet, and let them know you are aware the importance of technology tools in their lives. - Be aware of how they are using the tools provided to them. Keep the computer in an area of the house where you can monitor their use of it.

Set rules on how, when and for how long the digital devices will be used. Talk about the dangers of online contact with strangers, and seeking assistance if inappropriate conversations are happening. - Talk about being careful what is sent on line and how it is perceived by others. Talk about being careful not to post information that may be perceived in a way that might cause problems for them later if they apply to colleges or jobs. 3) Students need to be engaged in being part of the process of bringing technology into the classrooms. First a survey can be taken to see how they use technology in their daily lives, and how they feel it can be used in the classroom. They might come up with creative ways to use various tools in the different subjects they take. It will be important not to discourage them from presenting new ideas. To start a discussion click on this link Cyber bullying. After going through the exercises on the lesson, the teacher can introduce a web 2.0 tool (like voice thread) to be used for a project that will involve collaboration. The discussion on Cyber bullying will be the way set the rules on how the project should be conducted.
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My references are posted in the Power point presentation