TOPIC: Digital citizenship means being a proactive online learner while behaving ethically at all times.
Thesis – A proactive online learner shows digital citizenship by behaving ethically at all times when using the internet.
In my opinion, an online learner shows digital citizenship by acting in a proactive manner towards their learning and behaving ethically at all times. Digital citizenship is demonstrated by online learners when using the internet to collaborate and communicate with their peers and their teachers, through the use of a range of online learning platforms. Students present themselves as digital citizens by being proactive in their approach to their learning while behaving in an ethical manner. Ultimately, achieving success in their online learning.
A digital citizen is somebody who uses the internet to connect with others through social media for entertainment, employment, or education through online educational platforms. Digital citizenship has been defined by Heick (2018, sect.2) as “The quality of habits, actions, and consumption patterns that impact the ecology of digital content and communities.” A good digital citizen behaves in a respectful and appropriate manner by treating others in an online community, how they would expect to be treated in return. They also protect their reputation online, by keeping their private information, private, whilst also being aware of keeping images or other personal information of others they may know, private. In light of Terrasi (2019, sect. 3) this argument is supported as he states that “You shouldn’t include someone in a photo who did not consent to being in it if you intend to share it online.” A good digital citizen is aware of their personal ‘brand’ by being mindful of how they display themselves online. For instance, if an employer were to look at your profile on Facebook, would you be proud of the type of person you have portrayed yourself as, through the photos you have posted and the language and tone you have used?
When we use social media platforms to express ourselves, we create a ‘brand’ of who we are and how we want other digital citizens to view us. Online learners show digital citizenship when they use platforms such as online discussion forums and participate in online meetings through Zoom and Adobe Connect.
A proactive online learner is someone who takes initiative and responsibility for their own learning and education. In view of Smirli (2013, para. 2), it is stated that a proactive learner is someone who will “do well in online courses in which they must accept responsibility for their education.” For example, a student can be proactive by making the choice to study and spend their time on their learning and education, rather than being passive and waiting for things to happen for them.
Online learners especially, must be proactive towards their education in order to achieve success as they do not have the luxury of attending face to face classes and therefore, need to take initiative for their own learning. Face to face students are forced to attend classes where they can physically interact, communicate, and collaborate with their classmates, along with their teacher in a classroom. Whereas, online learners are provided with access to a number of online meetings with their teacher for each subject, through online meeting platforms such as; Zoom and Adobe connect and online discussion forums through interact 2. This meaning that students can use online meeting rooms and discussion forums to communicate, collaborate, and engage with both their teacher and their classmates.
Online meetings and or classes are often optional for online students. This then gives them the choice to be proactive towards their learning or not, making it easier to fall behind and lose motivation towards their learning. Ultimately, online learners who demonstrate ethical behaviour at all times and a proactive attitude towards their own learning, by choosing to communicate, collaborate and engage with both their teacher and their classmates through online learning platforms, they are demonstrating that they are a proactive online learner who values their education. As well as behaving ethically at all times through treating their fellow digital citizens with respect.
Online learners must behave ethically at all times through demonstrating a behaviour which is referred to as ‘netiquette’. The term ‘netiquette’ is used to describe how the internet should be used, ethically. This statement is supported asChristensson (2017, para.1) explains that “Just like etiquette is a code of polite behaviour in society, netiquette is a code of good behaviour on the internet.” A proactive online learner demonstrates good digital citizenship by practicing netiquette when connecting and collaborating with their classmates, as well as their teachers in a digital learning environment. An example of online learners behaving in this way is; submitting their assignments in the correct format and or file. As online learners are not given the opportunity to hand in their assignments in person, it is crucial that they submit tasks online in the correct manner in order to achieve success.
Discussion forums are used by online learners to collaborate and share ideas with their classmates, building on knowledge and understanding of topics which have been previously learnt. When a student participates in an online discussion forum, they are expected to share relevant information which relates directly to the question being asked, with a respectful and appropriate tone. Responding appropriately helps other students to think critically about a particular topic. This argument is supported by ISTE Standards for Students (2020, sect. 7b) as they express that “Students use collaborative technologies to work with others, including peers, experts or community members, to examine issues and problems from multiple viewpoints.”
I strongly believe that digital citizenship in the context of an online learner means to show a proactive attitude towards learning, while behaving ethically at all times. Online learners behave with a proactive attitude towards their learning by taking initiative and responsibility for their education. When students use the internet the connect, collaborate, and communicate with their peers, along with their teacher, they show digital citizenship through treating all students and or group members with the same respect in which they would expect to receive in return, including using appropriate language and tone. Students behave in an ethical manner at all times by displaying netiquette in a digital learning environment, including platforms such as online discussion forums and online meetings with their teacher and or other students. This compelling argument has evidently proven that digital citizenship is demonstrated by proactive online learners through practicing ethical behaviour at all times whilst participating in a digital learning environment.
References
Christensson, P. (2017, December 30). Netiquette Definition. Retrieved from https://techterms.com/definition/netiquette
Heick, T. (2018, December 17). The definition of digital citizenship [Blog post]. Retrieved fromhttps://www.teachthought.com/the-future-of-learning/the-definition-of-digital-citzenship/
ISTE Standards for Students | ISTE. (2020). Retrieved from https://www.iste.org/standards/for-students
Smirli, N. (2013, September 17). What Are Some Characteristics of a Proactive Student? [Blog post]. Retrieved from http://1st-day-as-an-english-teacher.blogspot.com/2013/09/what-are-some-characteristics-of.html
Terrasi, J. (2019, April 10). What are digital ethics? [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.lifewire.com/what-are-digital-ethics-4587289
Link to infographic created to support this argument: https://create.piktochart.com/output/46432694-my-visual
