In the development of the ICT Strategic Plan approved in May 2015, the school needs to develop a shared vision on how to use digital technologies and teach Digital Citizenship and e-safety to the school community (Goal No. 3). Digital Citizenship understood as cultural change, is fundamental to move towards a community that understands and uses digital technologies responsibly.  In that sense, the main goal of this project is to teach the Anglo community (students, parents, teachers and staff) how to be reflective, ethical, responsible and caring in the digital society.

 

There are two problems commonly found in the digital society:  one is to assume that young people are technology-literate because they have “grown in a Society surrounded by technology”, which is not always the case.  Second, believe that digital media is an environment in which most adults are clueless, which is not the case, they may actually know more than they believe.  Our students need to learn how to become today and tomorrow’s digital citizens, managing their digital lives with the same values and principles as they are expected to do without technology.  In this scenario, teacher’s and parent’s guidance is essential. 

Goals

 

• Transform the Anglo Colombiano Community into a digital-literate school, and create a culture of responsibility and respect in the digital society.

• Provide children and youth with the tools they need to face difficult situations, set boundaries act responsibly and take positive action.

• Promote the school values through expectations and practice.

Outcomes

 

• An Acceptable use policy that is consistent with the current needs of the school, and the ICT Strategic Plan approved last May.

• Planning of the Digital Citizenship curriculum as a strand of the ICT curriculum, adapted from the Common Sense Media Digital Citizenship and e-safety curriculum.

• A timeline and action plan for development of this curriculum.  

• A strategy to evaluate the impact of the project. 

   

In order to consider all the issues associated with Digital Citizenship, the list in “Digital Citizenship in Schools” was used as reference (Ribble, 2011).  The author states nine key elements to consider when developing a project of this nature:

1. Digital access

Do members of the Anglo community have access to the digital society? 

3. Digital literacy

Have members of the Anglo community learnt about digital technology and how to use it?

5. Digital law

Are members of the Anglo community aware of local and international laws regarding the use of digital technologies?

7. Health and wellness

Are members of the Anglo community aware of the the risks (physical and psychological) when using digital technologies?

9. Digital commerce

Are members of the Anglo community aware of the implications of buy and sell online?

2. Digital communication

Do members of the Anglo community use digital communication methods appropriately?

4. Digital etiquette

Are members of the Anglo community considerate and respectful when using digital technologies?

6. Rights and responsibilities

Are members of the Anglo community aware of their digital rights and responsibility?

8. Digital security

Do members of the Anglo community take precautions to protect their personal information?

As a school we can have a positive impact far beyond the classroom.  The time we have with the students is very important to teach them how to conduct their digital lives with the school values in mind.  What students do in their personal time, or how they choose to use social media and chat services with their peers, is not under our control.  However as a school we can do our best to guide them, teach them critical thinking, and encourage them to protect themselves and others online, and to become aware of their “digital footprint”.  This diagram shows the areas over which we have direct responsibility, such as student learning, academic performance, and the school environment and student behaviour.  Also shows the area over which we don’t have control but we can influence, and that is student’s digital life outside school.