Connecting Wisely in the Digital Age

The first Digital Citizenship Curriculum to focus on the social and emotional aspects of friendship and identity in the digital age. Social media and other aspects of the digital world can become a consuming presence in the lives of young people. Today's students encounter mean behavior in texting, social media and online gaming spaces that can carry over into face-to-face peer encounters. Some young people become so dependent on these technologies that they become neglectful of other important aspects of their lives. The goal of this curriculum is to offer students effective, easy-to-remember-and-use ways to identify, analyze and solve common social and emotional challenges they will likely be facing. This guide helps facilitate students in meaningful discussions that are recognizable and relevant to their everyday experiences. Unlike guides to general internet safety, this curriculum is focused on how young people shape their online communication with people they know and how their experiences will affect them on a day-to-day basis. This fourth to eighth grade digital citizenship curriculum was written by an experienced school counselor, Karen Jacobson MA and a digital citizenship expert, Devorah Heitner, PhD founder of Raising Digital Natives.PRAISE:This book offers schools an essential resource to coach students in how to use technology thoughtfully and empathetically. These exercises ask students to be problem solvers and critical thinkers as they articulate pratice and reflect up on how technology can play a postive role in their lives. Jenny Lira LCSW, School Counselor, Francis W. Parker School
Digital Citizenship has evolved; it is no longer a separate entity but rather a crucial part of the everyday decision-making process. This Book melds digital citizenship with the overall social/emotional/ethical curriculum by informing teachers about valuable digital citizenship skills and gives students opportunities to examine their choice in a reflective supported context.
Tom Mussoline, Academic Technology Coordinator University School Milwaukee