Listening to Dr. Ribble share and learning about digital citizenship and a “New Space” continuously prompted me to deepen my understanding of digital citizenship. The Progression Chart of the 9 Elements of Digital Citizenship, clearly identifies the process that students can be educated in. Drawing on Dr. Ribble’s notion of Digital Citizenship, as a society, we must join in a partnership with technology, not fear it. I am gently reminded of Willie Ermine’s video on “Ethical Space” and remembering our intent of our journey to becoming “good citizens”. Leading with respect will always guide our paths in a healthy way.
The main concepts: (Ribble, 2019)
1. Digital Access
2. Digital Commerce
3. Digital Communication & Collaboration
4. Digital Rights & Responsibilities
5. Digital Health & Welfare
6. Digital Fluency
7. Digital Security & Privacy
8. Digital Etiquette
9. Digital Law
As a family, we are trying to normalize our conversations around the technology tools we use or access. Rather than fearing and labeling technology as a negative thing, we are relearning proper digital citizenship terms and becoming educated in Ribble’s 9 Elements of Digital Citizenship. As a mother, inviting technology into our home in an educated form gives me hope for our future.
The following quote resonates with me as I read through The Digital Citizenship Handbook for School Leaders: “No matter what segment of society you belong to, technology is defining you and evaluating what you do and where you go” (Ribble & Park, 2019, p.4). In some sense, I feel an urgency to identify my shortcomings as an educator and deepen, not only my understanding of digital citizenship but initiate change as a Response Teacher. I learn best by actively participating in activities and then executing them within my classroom setting or collaborating with colleagues. Dr. Ribble gave me the confidence to not only strengthen my own understanding for my daughter but additionally offer tools to use in my teaching practice. Currently, the only way I can begin to encourage teachers to teach digital citizenship is by modeling my process and learning experience.
Moving forward into my major project, I have teamed up with the Grade 5/6 teacher at one of my schools and taught the students how to use WeVideo. I have always been a strong believer in student engagement and passionately lead my practice with authentic writing opportunities. I plan to combine the two ideas and engage the students in a reflective journal activity followed by a visit from an elder. Following that, the students will be taught how to instill their writing reflections into a WeVideo.
I hope to teach many of the elements of Digital Citizenship by Dr. Ribble throughout my major project. Specifically with a focus on digital equity, digital rights and responsibilities, and digital health and Wellness. All of the elements are significant to becoming a Digital Citizen. I look forward to observing and reflecting on how the students share their feelings about their own journeys on digital citizenship.
Some options I plan to incorporate in the Grade 5/6 classroom are:
- Script Writing- Using story elements the students will create a written script and then transfer it onto the computer, using WeVideo.
- Reflect and Retell- Using a reflective process, the students will write a reflective response from the Elder visit. A retelling option will be provided as well. Students will design their retell through WeVideo.
- Storyboard- Students will create a storyboard picture on WeVideo and then write from that as a prompt.
Thinking Things Through…
- Accessing technology is not always available for students. Discussion around this and problem solving will be key in establishing a success baseline for the students.
- I met with a colleague, Georgina Lee, grade 6/7 teacher, and we chatted about digital citizenship in the classroom. We discussed how the students often will organically discuss digital citizenship without being explicitly taught. Normalizing the conversations!!! Yay!
- In the book, “The Digital Citizenship Handbook for School Leaders,” there are designed middle-grade lesson plans circulating around the 9 elements. I hope to incorporate these ideas, as it is an easy way to dip my toes into this learning process for myself and my students. I look forward to adding a creative edge using WeVideo, however teaching the content around digital citizenship will add a new dimension to my major project. Why not learn alongside the students? What better way to deepen my understanding than through actively engaging in the learning process with them? I am excited to continue to grow and learn and apply what I am learning into my practice. Thanks for coming along this journey with me!
Kola's Journey Into Educational Technology 
WeVideo is something that scares me a bit, and maybe it’s because I don’t feel super comfortable using it yet. I am not much of a video maker, and that is definitely something that I need to get better at. I have been playing around with Canva quite a bit, and made a video last semester that was easy enough to use. I look forward to seeing what you come up with and how you use WeVideo, as that is definitely an area that I need more practice with!
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I have never used it in the classroom, so that will be a learning curve. But, I definitely see the value in it. I love watching your podcast unfold. I can’t wait to take a listen.
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Hi Kola. As parents, my husband and I are also trying to normalize conversations about teachnology and digital citizenship for the sake of our children and our own growth and learning. We are afraid of it because we don’t know enough about it; our kids will be able to teach us a lot. As a teacher, I also feel a sense of urgency to deepen my understanding of the digital world so I can better serve my students. Good luck with your project!
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You’re absolutely right, Leah! As we learn perhaps our fears will dissipate. Thanks for popping on here. I’ll check yours out tomorrow.
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I love the direction you are taking your Major Project, Kola! It sounds like your students will also greatly benefit from doing the different activities you have planned (script writing, reflecting, storyboarding..). I appreciate that you, Jeff, and Gerry are all considering ways we can tie Indigenous ways of knowing into Digital Literacies!
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I agree Kola, breaking down the traditional teacher role of director to facilitator and co-learner really shows the students that you are human and are always learning, more equality in the classroom! I also loved your reference to Ermine’s ‘Ethical Space of Engagement”, where you all bring your practices, knowledge, and experiences to the center and are open to learning and growing with perspectives other than your own. Good luck in your project!
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