Digital citizenship covers a wide range of topics and ideas but for simplicity, digital citizenship refers to using digital technology appropriately, safely, and effectively. In other terms, following the online digital world rules and laws. In our world today, kids as young as 1 year olds and elderly people as old as 110 years old are using technology and are exploring the digital world so it is crucial that people of all ages learn how to be a good digital citizen.
Because such young children are immersed into the digital world, it is important that the skills of being a good digital citizen are taught in school. The Saskatchewan Curriculum uses broad outcomes in which teachers make the choice of how to teach and what topics to teach within those outcomes. The outcomes are followed by indicators, which are more specific ideas of topics to teach the students. I explored the Saskatchewan Curriculum to find outcomes and indicators in which the topic of digital citizenship could be taught within those outcomes and indicators. Below I will highlight grades 2-4 outcomes and indicators that I found that can be used to teach digital citizenship to young students. I chose grades 2-4 because from my teaching experience thus far, most individualized technology has been introduced to students in about grade 2 so teaching those skills young will be beneficial as students grow up using technology.
Grade 2 outcome
DM2.1: Demonstrate how, why, and when to ask for help/and or advice when discovering healthy connections related to thoughts-feelings-actions, healthy snacking, affects of illness/disease, respect, safety, diversity.
Indicator: (c) Illustrate how, when, and why to access assistance.
Connection to the 9 Elements of Digital Citizenship
This outcome can be connected to the element of digital fluency. Students can be taught about decision making through making good choices online such as the difference between good and bad information and supporting others instead of putting others down online.
Grade 3 outcome
USC3.5: Evaluate safe behaviours/practices to increase the safety of self and others, while at home.
Indicator: (c) Demonstrate ways to identify and assess the risk of potentially dangerous situations.
Connection to the 9 elements of Digital Citizenship
This outcome can be connected to the element of digital security and privacy. Students can be taught about the potential risks and dangers online and how to stay safe in those situations such as having passwords on technology devices and websites and understanding safe and unsafe websites to access.
Grade 4 outcome
RW4.3: Assess the impact of Saskatchewan resources and technological innovations on the provincial, national, and global communities.
Indicator: (g) describe the technological innovations originating in Saskatchewan on the global community.
Connections to the 9 elements of Digital Citizenship
This outcome can be connected to the elements of digital commerce and digital access. Students can explore appropriate Saskatchewan made websites and technology and how it has advanced Saskatchewan and the world as a whole. Students can also explore the variety of regions and communities in Saskatchewan and who has access to these technologies and who does not.
