Teach Your Students to be Digital Citizens

It’s the 21st century, and you are preparing students for jobs that don’t even exist! How can you start teaching your students to be digital citizens? In a world that moves so fast when it comes to online information and technology, it can be challenging to know where to start when it comes to teaching with tech. Here are some of my top tips to get you started in a tech-friendly, digitally-savvy classroom.

Tip#1: Assign tech support.

When assigning classroom jobs, give a tech-savvy student the role of tech support. This student can step in if another student is struggling with tech tools. Eventually, all students will be “trained” in basic technology use and can all help one another. Join the New Teacher Masterclass for quick and easy advice on integrating classroom roles like “tech support”. This helps your students not only learn about tech but incorporate classroom community!

Tip#2: Print login cards.

If you’re anything like me, you have at least a dozen different logins and passwords for apps, accounts, and emails. Help your students remember their usernames and passwords with easy login cards to put on their desks or in their planners. If your students have 1:1 devices, you can simply affix these cards to their device or a safe place.

Tip#3: Give technology expectations early and often.

Using technology isn’t necessarily new for many of our students. However, some of the rules surrounding proper tech use in the classroom are new to them. Teach your students to be great digital citizens with some simple technology expectations to review. I like to have a digital citizenship agreement in place for my students. They are important reminders for students (and adults) of all ages!

Tip#4: Approved Apps and Sites.

First, remind students to only use applications or sites approved by you or your school. If you are a Google Apps for Education school, a quick and easy rule is to only allow sites that allow students to login with their Google sign-on. You should also make sure that your students adhere to the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), which restricts digital entities from collecting private information from students under 13. If you teach young children, they should not have their own personal social media accounts that they use in your classroom, for example.

Tip#5: Keep Info Private.

Along with this, students need to be reminded to never give personal information out online. Whether they are emailing others or posting on websites or blogs, it’s important to keep information like physical details, addresses, and passwords private.

Tip #6: Respect Devices and Property.

Finally, review how to take care of devices. Remind students that food and drinks should not be consumed around their devices and to always hold them with two hands! You can create whole class anchor charts with all of this info or even brainstorm with your class together. Either way, going over how to care for your digital devices is a MUST.

All of these awesome tips (and MUCH MORE) are ready to share on digital or printable slides in the New Teacher Masterclass. Join the New Teacher Masterclass for tips on teaching your students to be digital citizens. Not only should they know how to use tech, but by becoming aware of the world around them through technology resources, students can prepare themselves for future schooling and careers!