Nine Themes of Digital Citizenship
Digital citizenship can be defined as the norms of appropriate, responsible
behavior with regard to technology use.
1. Digital
Etiquette: electronic standards of conduct or
procedure.
Technology users often see this area as one of the most
pressing problems when dealing with Digital Citizenship. We recognize
inappropriate behavior when we see it, but before people use technology they
do not learn digital etiquette (i.e., appropriate conduct). Many
people feel uncomfortable talking to others about their digital
etiquette. Often rules and regulations are created or the technology is
simply banned to stop inappropriate use. It is not enough to create rules and
policy, we must teach everyone to become responsible digital citizens in this
new society.
2. Digital
Communication: electronic exchange of
information.
One of the significant changes within the digital
revolution is a person’s ability to communicate with other people. In the 19th
century, forms of communication were limited. In the 21st century,
communication options have exploded to offer a wide variety of choices (e.g.,
e-mail, cellular phones, instant messaging). The expanding digital
communication options have changed everything because people are able to keep
in constant communication with anyone else. Now everyone has the
opportunity to communicate and collaborate with anyone from anywhere
and anytime. Unfortunately, many users have not been taught how to make
appropriate decisions when faced with so many different digital communication
options.
3. Digital
Literacy: process of teaching and learning about
technology and the use of technology.
While schools have made
great progress in the area of technology infusion, much remains to be done. A
renewed focus must be made on what technologies must be taught as well as how
it should be used. New technologies are finding their way into the work place
that are not being used in schools (e.g., videoconferencing, online
sharing spaces such as wikis). In addition, workers in many different
occupations need immediate information (just-in-time information). This
process requires sophisticated searching and processing skills (i.e.,
information literacy). Learners must be taught how to learn in a digital
society. In other words, learners must be taught to learn anything, anytime,
anywhere. Business, military, and medicine are excellent examples of how
technology is being used differently in the 21st century. As new technologies
emerge, learners need to learn how to use that technology quickly and
appropriately. Digital Citizenship involves educating people in a new
way— these individuals need a high degree of information literacy
skills.
4. Digital
Access: full electronic participation in
society.
Technology users need to be aware of and support
electronic access for all to create a foundation for Digital Citizenship.
Digital exclusion of any kind does not enhance the growth of users in an
electronic society. All people should have fair access to technology no
matter who they are. Places or organizations with limited
connectivity need to be addressed as well. To become productive
citizens, we need to be committed to equal digital
access.
5. Digital
Commerce: electronic buying and selling of
goods.
Technology users need to understand that a large share of
market economy is being done electronically. Legitimate and legal exchanges
are occurring, but the buyer or seller need to be aware of the issues
associated with it. The mainstream availability of Internet purchases of toys,
clothing, cars, food, etc. has become commonplace to many users. At the same
time, an equal amount of illegal/immoral goods and services are surfacing such
as pornography and gambling. Users need to learn about how to be effective
consumers in a new digital economy.
6.
Digital Law: electronic responsibility for
actions and deeds
Digital law deals with the ethics of
technology within a society. Unethical use manifests itself in form of theft
and/or crime. Ethical use manifests itself in the form of abiding by the laws
of society. Users need to understand that stealing or causing damage to other
people’s work, identity, or property online is a crime. There are certain
rules of society that users need to be aware in a ethical society. These laws
apply to anyone who works or plays online. Hacking into others information,
downloading illegal music, plagiarizing, creating destructive worms, viruses
or creating Trojan Horses, sending spam, or stealing anyone’s identify or
property is unethical.
7. Digital Rights &
Responsibilities: those freedoms extended to
everyone in a digital world.
Just as in the American Constitution
where there is a Bill of Rights, there is a basic set of rights extended to
every digital citizen. Digital citizens have the right to privacy, free
speech, etc. Basic digital rights must be addressed, discussed, and understood
in the digital world. With these rights also come responsibilities as
well. Users must help define how the technology is to be used in an
appropriate manner. In a digital society these two areas must work
together for everyone to be productive.
8.
Digital Health & Wellness: physical and
psychological well-being in a digital technology world.
Eye safety,
repetitive stress syndrome, and sound ergonomic practices are issues that need
to be addressed in a new technological world. Beyond the physical issues
are those of the psychological issues that are becoming more prevalent such as
Internet addiction. Users need to be taught that there inherent dangers
of technology. Digital Citizenship includes a culture where technology users
are taught how to protect themselves through education and
training.
9. Digital Security
(self-protection): electronic precautions to
guarantee safety.
In any society, there are individuals who
steal, deface, or disrupt other people. The same is true for the digital
community. It is not enough to trust other members in the community for our
own safety. In our own homes, we put locks on our doors and fire alarms in our
houses to provide some level of protection. The same must be true for the
digital security. We need to have virus protection, backups of data, and surge
control of our equipment. As responsible citizens, we must protect our
information from outside forces that might cause disruption or harm.
From http://www.digitalcitizenship.net/Nine_Elements.html
You have to be signed in to use collections
You have to be signed in to add bits to a collection
You have to be signed in to look at your collections