April 20th, 2015
Dear JKA Parents, JKAs are taking part in classroom lessons from the Common Sense Media Digital Literacy and Citizenship curriculum. The overall goal of this curriculum is to educate children about the basics of using iPads and to help them to become safe, responsible and respectful digital citizens from a very young age. The early years are the best time to lay a learning foundation to help children mature into confident and capable digital citizens.
A growing number of educators are now embracing the term ‘digital citizenship’ to describe education about privacy, safety, security and responsible use of information and communication technologies.
What is digital citizenship?
Digital Citizenship is the concept of educating students (and all technology users) about how to use technology appropriately. This involves using technology effectively and not misusing it to disadvantage others. Digital Citizenship consists of numerous themes including appropriate online etiquette, literacy in how digital technology works and how to use it, an understanding of ethics and the law as it relates to technology, knowing how to stay safe relating to the use of technology.
Digital Citizenship education brings together these themes and provides a framework for schools and parents to educate students about their rights and responsibilities when interacting with other people through digital technology.
Hector’s World, www.hectorsworld.com is a digital citizenship resource that is developmentally appropriate, effective and engaging for young children. The use by young children of touch screen devices, mobile phones and virtual worlds is growing rapidly, necessitating continued innovation in response. Hector’s World is addressing these emerging issues, as well as releasing new content specifically related to privacy and security.
What families can do:
Common Sense Media takes a whole-community approach to digital literacy and citizenship by providing parent resources to help you support your kid’s learning. As we engage in these lessons in class, we will be sending home an activity occasionally for you to do together with your child, and take this as an opportunity to talk to your child about digital media.
You can visit the Common Sense Media website at www.commonsensemedia.org and take a look at the wealth of parent resources it provides on children and media.
I am thrilled to be launching this Digital Literacy and Citizenship Curriculum with my JKA students. and look forward to sharing more with you in the weeks ahead. Raising and educating young children in today’s 24/7 digital media environment is one of the most challenges that we face today.
Working together, we can raise a generation of young kids who become smart, responsible, and respectful digital citizens.
Thanking you,
Sincerely,
Bina Nebhwani (JKA)
What we teach.
The topics your child will be introduced to are:
1. Going Places Safely: Students learn that they can go to exciting places on iPad but they need to follow certain rules to remain safe.
2. A-B-C Searching : Students search for pictures online on www.dinosearch.com-( google search for kids ) by clicking on letters of the alphabet. They learn that directory sites with alphabetical listings offer one way to find things on Internet.
3. My Creative Work: Students are introduced to the concept of having ownership over creative work. They practice putting their name and date on something they produce.
4. Using Keywords: Students understand that keyword searching is an effective way to locate information. Students will look for apps on the iPad and talk about how internet is the same.
5. My Online Community: Students explore the concept that people can connect with one another through the iPad (Internet). They understand how the ability for people to community online can unite a community.
Through hands-on activities, role-playing, and classroom discussion, our JKAs will be asked to reflect on how their digital and online behaviour’s affect themselves, their friends and family, and the communities of which they are a part of
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