As part of topic 1.1 for ELT523 we were asked to record our own notes and reflections after reading:

Greenhow, C. (2010). New concept of citizenship for the digital age. Learning & Leading with Technology, 37(6), 24-25

The concept of Digital Citizenship is one I had not really thought about until I came back to teaching and returned to study to complete my Masters (TL).

As a user of the web I was aware of issues such as copyright and privacy.  I discussed these things with my children.  As an educator however I need to think about how to best prepare my students to live in a digital environment and be a good digital citizen.

However, what is Digital Citizenship?  I believe it is similar to being any other type of ‘good’ citizen, however it takes place in an online environment.  A digital citizen is someone who acts responsibly, fairly, safely, ethically and legally in an online world.  They are aware that their presence online is open for others to see, they are aware that when they use others work they need to acknowledge it, they are aware their behaviour online, even though distanced by technology and a certain level of anonymity, matters, they are aware that once it is out there in the digital world it is hard to take back, they are aware of potential bias in opinions, they aware that not everything online is fact and all this awareness leads to tempered and suitable actions on their part.