Tool #11

I would want my students to understand many things about digital citizenship. First of all, they need to understand that everything they find on the internet is not fact. It's easy to find a web site and take the information at face value, but students need to know how to verify that information. I would also want my students to understand the atmosphere of respect that needs to exist when making comments on people's blogs or works they have created. I think sometimes people feel the freedom to write comments that they would never say out loud to a person simply because it is not face to face. I would encourage my students to not post any comments to people that they would not say to their face. Finally, I would caution my students about safety on the Internet. Many students freely give away information because they think they are safe and somewhat anonymous. Students need to understand the risks involved with making too much information public and realize that once their information is out there, it is out there forever.

I would teach the ideas of digital citizenship through basic conversations in class. I think getting students to dialogue about what can happen on the Internet is the best way for them to understand what can happen.