Developing Digital Citizens (Reflective Summary)
Reflective Summary - Milestone 5
Developing Digital Citizens
Background and Context
Year level: Years 9-13
Cluster type: Single School Cluster
Context: Large Decile 9 Girls Secondary School
Research model used:Teaching as Inquiry
Aims and purpose
The aim of the following interventions was to address three distinct needs that arose this year.
- New Year 9 students who did not participate in last year's Digital Citizenship Contract training sessions. In 2011 our internet user agreement was changed to a Digital Citizenship Contract as a way of highlighting the importance of broader digital citizenship competencies that went beyond our traditional internet user agreement. The process and resources we introduced last year can be accessed below.
- Increased numbers of students bring their own devices - this year we have seen a vast increase in the number of students bringing their own devices. This has resulted in students having to manage increased opportunities for distraction and potential stress that can arise from learning to manage ubiquitious access to both learning and social environments.
- Introduction of access to Facebook in school - recently we have opened up access to Facebook in school. This has presented students with increased opportunities for distraction and has necessitated education around Managing Self in a newly open environment.
Method, interventions and actions
- Digital Citizenship training for Year 9s. As our new Year 9 students did not recieve this trainng it was decided (and requested by the Year 9 Dean) that a programme was designed for them, to be led by the tutor teachers during tutor time. Tutor teachers have been provided with a range of resources including videos and scenarios to discuss. The programme will culminate in a Year 9 'Digital Citizenship Advertising Campaign' inter-tutor group competition, which will be run by the Tech Angels. The resources and programme outline are provided below.
Digital Citizenship training.pptx
Year 9 Digital Citizenship training.docx
- Introduction of Managing self, open internet access and BYOD - In response to some teacher concern around students struggling with the opportunities for distraction that BYOD and open internet access present. Initially, this involved a presentation at assemblies and on Moodle. The presentation included an outline of concerns and strategies for self management. This will be followed up with a survey of staff in two weeks time and next steps will be reviewed at this time. (See attached document for outline of presentation).
Summary of key results
At this stage we are still in the process of actioning both interventions. Staff have felt assured that issues are being dealt with as they arise and that we have been proactive where possible and reactive as necessary.
Drawn conclusions and identified any recommendations or next steps
Digital Citizenship remains an area we need to work on, particularly as the needs change as our e-learning environment evolves. It is hard to plan too much in advance. 'Just in time' education of students is effective, but can feel less effective. Finding a way to deliver ongoing school wide digital citizenship training that is somehow embedded in curriculum contexts is 'next step' for Epsom Girls Grammar School.
