What is Digital Citizenship?

"The norms of appropriate, responsible behaviour with regard to technology use." (Ribble and Bailey) To explore the nine elements of digital citizenship visit http://www.digitalcitizenship.net/

"Digital citizenship isn't just about recognizing and dealing with online hazards. It's about building safe spaces and communities, [having students] understand how to manage personal information, and about being Internet savvy-- using your online presence to grow and shape your world in a safe, creative way, and inspiring others to do the same." Digizen.org http://www.digizen.org.uk/

It is important to understand that digital citizenship is not a single lesson or unit nor is it centred on a specific technology. Digital citizenship is a comprehensive approach to the use of digital technologies that spans student education from K-12 and into adulthood. Digital citizenship should be practiced in every course, throughout the school and at home. It is an ongoing partnership between teachers, students and parents. Just as teachers build an awareness of the importance of digital citizenship at school, parents build and reinforce these concepts with their children at home. Students need to approach any use of technology with the digital citizenship components in mind.

The Calgary Board of Education is committed to helping its students thrive in the 21st century. Digital citizenship, with an emphasis on both safety and ethical behaviour, is a key component of helping CBE students use the digital technologies available to their best advantage to reach their full potential as a student within the CBE and beyond.

Digital Citizenship and the Learner Accessible Wireless Network (LAWN)

A Learner Accessible Network allowing students to use personal devices to connect with the Internet at school is being introduced throughout the CBE. Before this network can be activated, each school must complete the digital citizenship process

It is important to note that the new network will honour existing content filtering levels. Sites that are currently blocked in a school will remain blocked on a student's own device. Principals and teachers will still retain absolute discretion over when students can use this network in class.