Digital Citizenship and Social Networking are terms in education that didn’t exist at the turn of the century. Primary School educators have now been launched into a teaching and learning environment where it is becoming more and more imperative that the young learners of today learn to become responsible digital citizens in socially networked environments.
When thinking about these ‘new aged’ terms, the definitions as determined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionaries are as follows:
“.. a network of individuals (such as friends, acquaintances, and co-workers) connected by interpersonal relationships” and “an online service or site through which people create and maintain interpersonal relationships.”
“…the creation and maintenance of personal and business relationships especially online.”
and by the Digital Technologies Hub, the definition of Digital Citizenship is:
A digital citizen refers to a person who has the knowledge and skills to effectively use digital technologies to communicate with others, participate in society and create and consume digital content.
This then leads teachers of today to consider their personal readiness to embed and teach these concepts into current teaching and learning programs. The aim of this web guide is for educators to make their way through the modules encouraging professional learning exploration and self-reflection encouraging readiness to embed Digital Citizenship concepts into the classroom through Social Networking platforms.
Professional Learning Outcomes
At the completion of the modules the aim is for educators to feel more confident to embed and deliver curriculum that prepares primary aged students for Digital Citizenship. These outcomes are aligned to the AITSL Teaching Standards
Know content and how to teach it
- 1: Content and teaching strategies of the teaching area – Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the concepts, substance and structure of the content and teaching strategies of the teaching area.
- 6: Information and Communication Technology (ICT) – Implement teaching strategies for using ICT to expand curriculum learning opportunities for students
Plan for and implement effective teaching and learning
- 4: Select and use resources – Demonstrate knowledge of a range of resources, including ICT, that engage students in their learning.
- 6: Evaluate and improve teaching programs – Demonstrate broad knowledge of strategies that can be used to evaluate teaching programs to improve student learning.
Create and maintain supportive and safe learning environments
- 1: Support student participation – Identify strategies to support inclusive student participation and engagement in classroom activities.
- 5: Use ICT safely, responsibly and ethically – Demonstrate an understanding of the relevant issues and the strategies available to support the safe, responsible and ethical use of ICT in learning and teaching.
Engage in professional learning
- 1: Identify and plan professional learning needs – Demonstrate an understanding of the role of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers in identifying professional learning needs.
- 2: Engage in professional learning and improve practice – Understand the relevant and appropriate sources of professional learning for teachers.