Digital Citizenship

Upon reading the article on digital citizenship, I found it both humorous and enlightening. It is true that with the demand for integrating technology in the classroom, the teacher must be a digital citizen at some level. The definition of digital citizenship is listed in the website as, "norms of appropriate, responsible behavior with regard to technology use." It is my duty as a teacher to know where it is helpful and necessary to place technology in the classroom. In some activities, technology can give academic support to those students that are struggling with the concepts. I should be able to decide to which students that support is needed.
The website discusses the nine areas that make up digital citizenship. It is crazy but completely true to see all the different areas that a person must be familiar with to be considered a digital citizen. To be a citizen, I need to know how to get access into the digital society (1). I also need to know how to buy and sell digitally (2), which is one of my strongest areas. I need to know how to communicate and exchange information (3). This will be very helpful to be familiar with as a teacher. It is good to be able to communicate with other staff members and parents to gain insight in the classroom. Digital Literacy is another element that assures the person is highly knowledgeable in technology, enough to be able to share the knowledge with others (4). I cannot possibly ask my students to use technology if I am not completely  comfortable with the tool. I also need to be aware of how to act with technology, and use the correct etiquette (5). There also lies the responsibility that goes along with the use of technology. I need to be are of the laws that lie within the digital society (6). This also ties in with the next element (7) of the digital rights and responsibilities. I also need to be aware of the physical and psychological risks of using digital technology (8). If I am exposing the students to computers, I need to consider how the bright screens and the noise will affect them. The last element included is the one that focuses on digital security (9). I need to be aware on how to protect my documents and computer against any viruses or spam.
Now that I have read the elements on how to be a digital citizen, I can say that I become alot closer to being a citizen throughout this semester. I am more aware of the digital tools that can be utilized in the classroom. I know the importance of reaching citizenship in the digital world. I know how much my students will benefit from my knowledge.
The website used for this post is found at http://digitalcitizenship.pbworks.com/w/page/17771708/FrontPage
Check it out!! =]