ISTE Digital Citizenship Week Challenge: Empowering Students for a Digital Future
The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) is gearing up to celebrate Digital Citizenship Week from October 16-20, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of instilling digital citizenship skills in students of all ages. This initiative aims to promote online safety, responsible digital behavior, and critical thinking in the ever-evolving digital landscape.
In today’s interconnected world, where technology plays a central role in our daily lives, teaching digital citizenship has become more crucial than ever. Concepts such as using technology for positive social change, engaging in respectful online discourse, and discerning between fact and fiction are essential skills that students need to navigate the digital realm effectively.
According to Richard Culatta, the CEO of ISTE, “As our interactions with friends, community members, and government leaders increasingly occur in virtual spaces, it is imperative that we model and teach the behaviors we wish to see in our future digital leaders.”
To support schools, educators, and families in embracing the Digital Citizenship Week challenge, ISTE is offering a range of resources aimed at empowering students to become responsible digital citizens:
1. **Digital Citizenship in Action**: A book by Kristen Mattson, Ed.D., emphasizes the importance of going beyond traditional online safety discussions and creating digital spaces where students can explore, experiment, and grow. The book includes practical tips, educator stories, and classroom activities to foster participatory digital citizenship.
2. **DigCit Coffee Break Email Course**: This course provides educators with daily tips on digital citizenship, along with free resources like printable posters illustrating the key elements of digital citizenship.
3. **Webinar for Educators**: On October 16 at 5 p.m. EDT, educators can participate in a free webinar titled “Bring Digital Citizenship to Life in Your School,” which will explore innovative ways to integrate digital citizenship into teaching practices.
4. **Digital Citizenship Twitter Chats**: Two Twitter chats on October 19 will offer opportunities for engagement and resource sharing. The first chat, led by digital citizenship expert Marialice Curran at 8 p.m. EDT, will use the hashtag #ISTEChat. The second chat, hosted by ISTE’s Digital Citizenship professional learning network at 9 p.m. EDT, will focus on the role of edtech coaches in promoting digital citizenship using the hashtag #digcit.
Digital Citizenship Week serves as a national platform to empower students to utilize technology for community engagement and improvement. Join the conversation on Twitter by following #DigCitWeek.
About ISTE:
The International Society for Technology in Education is a nonprofit organization dedicated to collaborating with the global education community to leverage technology for innovative solutions and inspire educational transformation. ISTE sets a bold vision for education through the ISTE Standards, which provide a framework for reimagining teaching and learning in the digital age. The organization hosts the annual ISTE Conference & Expo, a premier event in the edtech world, and offers a range of professional learning opportunities, including online courses, peer-reviewed journals, and publications on technology in education.
For more information about ISTE or to become a member, visit iste.org and connect with ISTE on social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
In conclusion, Digital Citizenship Week presents a unique opportunity for students, educators, and parents to engage in meaningful conversations about digital responsibility, online safety, and ethical digital practices. By equipping students with essential digital citizenship skills, we can empower them to thrive in a digital society and become responsible digital leaders of tomorrow. Let’s embrace the challenge and work together to create a safer, more inclusive digital world for all.