The information environment is constantly changing. New knowledge is acquired, linked and shared through the web, this is called connected learning. How do we as educators foster 21sr century learning in this rapidly evolving digital environment? Digital citizenship is the foundation for students learning within the information environment. Digital citizenship supports students learning in the digital environment. Through digital citizenship education, students will understand how to maintain privacy, internet safety and consider their digital footprint. There are many resources to integrate digital citizenship into the classroom. Below is a list of resources to consider:
https://www.commonsense.org/education/scope-and-sequence
Digital literacy education will equip students to learn and be successful within the information environment. Students will learn digital literacy skills: collaboration, communication, citizenship, creativity, character and critical thinking. Students will need to practice digital citizenship while learning in the information environment. Learning how to find and critique information, share new learning and collaborate with students or professionals that will bring a new perspective to learning are activities within the information environment. Information is quickly and easily accessible from many devices, teachers and textbooks are no longer the sole sources of knowledge, students have the power with technology to learn, explore and investigate using technology.
Classrooms today are very different than classrooms 50 years ago and classrooms of the future will look very different than they look today. The rapid pace of innovation is putting new tools into the hands of learners. As an educator, it is my responsibility to teach students how to use these tools effectively to construct knowledge and actively participate in a connected learning environment.