Journal #6 - A New Concept of Citizenship for the Digital Age - NETS 5

As a member of ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education), I read Learning and Leading With Technology, an online journal published bimonthly that contains articles about the effective use of existing and emerging digital tools. I evaluated, reflected, and wrote Journal Reflections on this current research and professional practice on a regular basis. Teachers and researchers write articles in the journal sharing what is effective for educators using technology in the classroom in support of student learning. I summarized and evaluated the articles as well as posed and answered two questions relating to each article.

Greenhow, C. (2010). A New concept of citizenship for the digital age. Learning & Leading with Technology, 37(6), Retrieved May 3, 2010 from http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=March_April_No_6_1&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4516&ContentID=25564&DirectListComboInd=D

This article is about digital citizenship. It defines the term and discusses its research and its importance. The are six 21st century competencies that the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) and the partnership for 21st Century Skills have defined: technological fluency, innovation, communication and collaboration, research and information fluency, problem solving, and digital citizenship. The author states that digital citizenship is the least likely to be discussed in the educational research literature.
Students' involvement in Web 2.0 applications like blogging and social networking sites has prompted the conversation about what is "legal, ethical, safe, and responsible." Students are now participating as citizens online getting involved in volunteering, lobbying, campaigning, and keeping up on the social, cultural, and political current topics. Ways that students and others can be good digital citizens is respecting self and others by adjusting privacy settings, downloading music and other files legally, and encouraging other to be responsible online as well.
Teacher and student teachers need to teach students that what they do online will follow them when they apply to colleges and look for a job. Increasingly, U.S. employers are checking Facebook and LinkedIn to look for potential employees.

Question: Should cyber-bullying be protected under the freedom of speech clause in the U.S. Constitution?
I believe that cyber-bullying should not be tolerated. It should be a zero-tolerance violation that immediately and permanently restricts site access. Cyber-bullying has led to students feeling emotionally harassed and even, in the most extreme case, committing suicide. It must be taken seriously, just like regular bullying in schools. If reported by the victim, it should be noted and investigated by the police if there is a history of it from one user. An IP address can be traced by computer forensic investigators, increasing the chance of catching the bully.

Question: What are the benefits of students learning about digital citizenship? Students will become better educated about proper behavior online and hopefully that will remind students to also behave better offline. Another benefit is students can, anonymously if desired, become informed and act online in ways that they may have never done. The Internet gives students equitable access through digital communication and collaboration and the opportunity to be active citizens.