District Offers Digital Citizenship Program for K-12 Students

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The initiative increases students’ awareness of using digital tools responsibly and safely in and out of school.

Technology is everywhere. Many children have access to technology at home at an early age. In Aldine ISD, technology integration to enhance learning in the classroom continues to evolve. Students begin to use technology as part of their learning experience as early as kindergarten. With that use comes teaching students to use technology responsibly to maintain a safe learning environment and prepare students to be capable, informed users and consumers of technology at home, at school, and in the workplace.

What is Digital Citizenship? Why Does it Matter?

Digital citizenship and literacy allow one to interact with technology, media, and digital resources in real-world situations safely and effectively.

Internet Safety
Knowing how to use the internet safely is crucial to good digital citizenship. Students must understand, as well as they can, how to avoid dangerous websites that might harbor all manner of threats, from misinformation to hidden malware.

Creating a Safe Environment
Aldine ISD maintains control over what students can access while at school. Until students can be accountable for their actions, they are supervised, and the district uses software to monitor content.

Protecting Personal Information and Reputation
Digital Citizenship covers how to protect each other — students, staff, and school — and how to protect themselves.

Again, while content monitoring tools are helpful within the school, the school district’s Digital Citizenship Program seeks to create a culture that extends beyond the classroom.

Aldine ISD teaches students to be stewards of their data and identify and avoid pitfalls such as fake news and scams.

District’s Digital Citizenship Program

The program, implemented in September, introduces a new topic each month. It supports the school culture priority in the district’s strategic plan, A New Way Forward. 

Students in Grades K-12 receive lessons on the following topics.

• September — Mental Balance and Well-Being: We find balance in our digital lives.
• October/November — Cyberbullying, Digital Drama, and Hate Speech: We are kind and courageous.
• December — Privacy and Security: We care about everyone’s privacy.
• January — Digital Footprint: We define who we are.
• February — Relationships and Communication: We know the power of words and actions.
• March — News and Media Literacy: We are critical thinkers and creators.

The Digital Learning Department developed the program using Common Sense Media resources. The goal is to help keep students, teachers, and administrators safe, protect personal information, and respect themselves and others online.

The Digital Learning Department developed the program using Common Sense Media resources. The goal is to help keep students, teachers, and administrators safe, protect personal information, and respect themselves and others online.

Family Engagement in Digital Citizenship

Students’ learning is strengthened when families and educators are on the same page. Families can reinforce the lessons through conversations and expectations at home. The family component of the lessons includes information on the importance of being good digital citizens at school, home, and work.

The Digital Learning Department, Library Services, and Family and Community Engagement departments have worked together on a series of events to educate and inform the Aldine ISD community.

The Digital Learning Department, Digital Library Services, and the Family and Community Engagement Department have worked together on events to educate and inform the Aldine ISD community.

An example of collaboration is a video on cyberbullying. Click here to see the cyberbullying video in English and Spanish.

Questions

Families can contact their child’s teacher, who has access to all parent information to share. They can also contact Elizabeth Meeker, program director of digital services, at [email protected] if they need further information.

Additionally, families can visit CommonSenseMedia.org, which is a great resource. The website has a wealth of information about digital citizenship lessons and parent/legal guardian materials, ratings and reviews for apps, games, movies, tv shows, and books.