Year+3+Research+and+Reflection

Year 3 Research and Reflection
**Digital Citizenship:** What can we do in elementary school to help students develop an ethical Web 2.0 culture for their future?



**What is digital citizenship?**

Digital citizenship is a set of understandings that students must have in order to use technology ethically and effectively. First, students must develop digital literacy, that is, an ability to access and use digital tools. While they are developing this literacy, it is my job to help them develop an understanding of online etiquette and ethics so that they have a clear understanding of the culture they are entering and creating online.

**What I'm reading:**

Ohler, Jason. "Digital Citizenship Means Character Education for the Digital Age." //Kappa Delta Pi Record.// Fall 2011. 

Digital Citizenship

Zawilinski, Lisa. "HOT Blogging: A framework for blogging to promote //H//igher //O//rder //T//hinking." //The Reading Teacher,// (62)8, May 2009. 

Tekinarslan,Erkan. "Reflections on Effects of Blogging on Students’ Achievement and Knowledge Acquisition in Issues of Instructional Technology," International Journal of Instructional Technology and Distance Learning, ( 7)11. November 2010. 

Oxley, Cathy. "Digital citizenship: Developing an ethical and responsible online culture." //Diversity Challenge Resilience: School Libraries in Action:// Proceedings of the 12th Biennial School Library Association of Queensland, the 39th International Association of School Librarianship Annual Conference incorporating the 14th International Forum on Research in School Librarianship, Brisbane QLD Australia, 27 September – 1 October <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">2010. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Virginia To Teach Digital Literacy <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">"Virginia Makes Digital Literacy Curriculum Available to Schools." //Converge// and the Center for Digital Literacy. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">http://www.convergemag.com/policy/Virginia-Makes-Digital-Literacy-Curriculum-Available-to-Schools.html. 20 Jan 2012.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">**How can we lay the foundation for digital citizenship in elementary school?**



<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">1. __Parent Involvement__: During the first week of school, Glencliff parents received a brochure detailing the Web 2.0 tools that are available to their child and with which their child will be working. Parents also received all of the usernames and passwords for student databases so that they can work with their children at home on research using safe and reliable resources. I feel it's important for parents to know that their children are creating and interacting online while they are in school. This will allow for discussions at home about what they are learning at school related to using these tools in an educational setting. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">2. __Access and Practice__: Students at Glencliff Elementary spend lots of time in the computer lab engaging with programs and websites. This year our visiting author, [|Seymour Simon], created an [|online contest]that all Glencliff students entered via blog comments. In grades 2 and 3, students have their first experience with Web 2.0 in the library when they write brief book reviews of Fairy Tales and Folk Tales to post in our OPALS library catalog. By grades 4 and 5, students are actively posting and commenting on wikis and blogs. Students need time to practice using these tools in school where they have clear expectations and adult supervision. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Grade 4 Animals Wiki, 2010 <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Grade 5 Project Blog, 2011: [|5M], [|5Cip], [|5Cot] <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Glencliff Library Book Blog

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">3. __Clear Expectations__: Students are overwhelmed with mixed messages about online "social" interaction. It's important that they understand that all online interaction in school is for the purpose of learning. After students develop an understanding of how to use online tools for research and learning, we move into using online tools to share learning and converse about learning. When students share their learning online, there are high expectations for quality, and the wider audience helps motivate students to produce their best work. When students comment on each others' work, there are equally high expectations for the appropriate interaction, kind but informative comments, and adherence to standards of grammar and usage. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">

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<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">4. __Reflection__: Students need time to reflect on how they are using online tools in school. As they get older and they begin to use social networking tools outside of school, I believe that some of the cultural standards they have established for themselves will carry over.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Grade 5 Mock Caldecott Project Survey