Digital+Citizenship+Website

Digital Citizenship Website

**Description:** The website that I created is an educational resource to help provide parents, teachers, and students understand what it means to be a digital citizen. The topics of the website are Digital Access, Digital Communication, and Digital Law, Rights, and Responsibilities. Each component is geared toward a specific audience. The Digital Access page is designed for a teacher to use to learn about both assistive technology and equitable access. The Digital Communication page is set-up for students to use independently, but may be used as a whole group lesson by a teacher. The Digital Law, Rights, and Responsibilities page is designed for teachers to discuss online predators with students. Also, there is a parent page that gives information to parents about online predators so they can share that with their children. Finally, there is a page for students to learn about predators themselves. I think it is creative because of it being interactive for the viewers. I found various media to use to make it more interesting. I chose topics that are of great importance when dealing with being a Digital Citizen. After completing the website, I actually sent the link to other co-workers so they could use it with their students to help them become better and safer Digital Citizens.

[|My Digital Citizenship Site]

**Process:** The media that I selected for this website included clip art, two Youtube videos, and links to various sites and sources dealing with each aspect of being a Digital Citizen. The Youtube videos were carefully selected to use to inform parents and students about online predators. The one I found to be the most powerful was //Julie's Journey//. I think it is scary enough to keep students from talking to strangers online. I also have a survey online that will help me determine how much I actually need to teach about being safe online. The pictures make the site more appealing to look at. All the links pertain directly to each topic. As I was creating the Digital Law, Rights, and Responsibilities page, I felt that it was important to educate all three groups on such a powerful topic. The Access page seemed appropriate for just teachers. The Communication piece was dedicated to students, but teachers could definitely learn some information that would help them become better Digital Citizens. It is important not to get lost in the new world that has been created online. That is what I learned as I created this website. I find the more websites that I create, the easier it becomes!  **Reflection:** I definitely learned a great deal as I completed this project. I think we all take the Internet for granted. This project really made me step back and think about my rights as a Digital Citizen. I am much more conscientious as I surf the Web these days. I discuss with my students the importance of siting their resources. I don't think I realized how scary the Internet could actually be. I think it is important for students to learn how to properly use the Web before they get into trouble. Doing this assignment made me realize that I need to share this information with my students before they can get hurt. As I created the Access page, I reinforced what I already knew. I didn't actually plan out my site before I got started. As I worked, it just came to me that I should create a step-by-step guide for a student to follow. I thought it was quite creative and easy to use and understand.