Digital Citizenship Training in Middle Schools in the United States
Abstract: Use of social media have resulted in the need to educate K-12 students on becoming digital citizens who exhibit the norms of appropriate, responsible behavior with regards to technology use as defined by Ribble (2004). International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) lists digital citizenship as an important aspect of educational technology. In this proposal we elaborate on five digital citizenship elements, cyberbullying, digital netiquette, digital footprints, digital privacy and digital identity. Through a National Science Foundation grant, a series of elearning modules on these topics were designed and implemented with 380 sixth grade Middle School Students. This study discusses digital citizenship topics that students wish to learn more about in middle school along with discussing the student perception on the implementation of the modules. Many students stated they would like to learn about cyberbullying. Students desire to learn how to take care of bullying and also how to report bullying. Digital privacy and digital safety are some other topics that students also wish to learn. The modules implemented were rated high in terms of direction, content, interactive practice, learning and the online format. Students also gave suggestions for improving elearning modules that are delivered to middle school students.