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= Digital Citizenship    =

The term citizen is defined as "a native or naturalized person who owes allegiance to a larger state or collective and also shares in the rights and resonsibilities afforded all members of that collective." A citizen both works for and benefits from a larger society. The concept of digital citizenship, then, reinforces the positive aspects of technology so that everyone can work and play in this digital world.

In the 21st century, being able to "meet the challenges of this world" also includes the online world where we learn and socialize. In their book [|Digital Citzenships in Schools,] Gerald Bailey and Mike Ribble address the issues of living in a digital society:

// **Today, billions of people all over the planet interact using various technologies. This interaction has created a digital society that affords its members opportunities for education, employment, entertainment, and social interaction. As in any society, it is expected that digital citizens act in a certain way—according to accepted norms, rules, and laws. Most of today’s students are entirely comfortable with technology, but are they using it appropriately? Do they understand their roles and responsibilities in digital society? How can teachers help students become responsible digital citizens?**  // Digital citizenship can be described as the norms of appropriate, responsible behavior with regard to technology use. As a way of understanding the complexity of digital citizenship and the isseus of technology use, abuse, and misuse, Ribble and Bailey have identified nine elements that together make up digital citizenship.

These nine elements can be grouped into three broad categories:

1. Digital Access: full electronic participation in society 2. **Digital Literacy**: the process of teaching and learning about technology and the use of technology 3. **Digital Communication**: electronic exchange of information
 *  __Student Learning and Academic Performance__ **

** __School Environment and Student Behavior__ ** 4. **Digital Security and Safety**: electronic precautions to guarantee safety/physical well-being in a digital technology world 5. **Digital Etiquette**: electronic standards of conduct or procedure 6. **Digital Rights and Responsibilities**: those freedoms extended to everyone in a digital world

7. **Digital Commerce**: electronic buying and selling of goods 8. **Digital Health and Wellness**: physical and psychological well-being 9. **Digital Law**: rights and restrictions
 * __Student Life Outside the School Environment__**


 * We will use thiese nine elements to learn about digital citizenship. Each month, we will explore one of the elements so that we can learn to meet the challenges of the digital world.

Here is an article by Ribble, Bailey and Ross on Digital Citizenship:** http://www.digitalcitizenship.net/uploads/1stLL.pdf

**MICDS Digital Citizenship Project: Patrick Woessner, Christine Laycob, and Charlotte Dougherty**