RESHAPING RESPONSIBLE DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP FOR NOW AND THE FUTURE

EILEEN FORD, DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION

Middle School Technology Committee members: Top L-R:John-Patrick Lane, Micah Price, Tyler Timson, Graham Corder.Charlie DeMoss, Jac Crumley Bottom L-R: Max Malloy, Samantha Young, Thomas Kostohryz, Kiersten Price, Luke Yager (Not pictured: Adam Ostrinsky, Wyatt Strong, Jonathan Washington)

While the Middle School Technology Committee launched just over a year and a half ago, it already has had an impact on the community with its members’ enthusiasm and thoughtfulness. Students on the committee assist with technology projects around the School, including piloting new apps for their classes, creating instructional videos, and helping to set up and troubleshoot devices. Volunteers even came in over the summer to help set up our Lower School iPads and our yearbook and photography iMac lab in the Upper School!

This year, as we prepared to update the Middle School Responsible Use Policy, the committee was a natural fit to shape this policy for the way Middle School students agree to use technology. In keeping with the TVS mission of intelligent citizenship, the students on the committee were asked, “What does it look like to be an intelligent citizen in the digital space?”

Their answers to this question were the start of the new Middle School Responsible Use Policy that articulates what students say they will do with technology. While there are a few “will not” and “do not” statements, each is paired with what a responsible digital citizen would do, so that all students reading the policy have a clear picture of how they are promising to use technology.

Charlie DeMoss and Thomas Kostohryz

Sydney Munson ’01, former TVS EdTech Innovation Specialist, introduced students to the five digital citizenship competencies endorsed by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) and showed students how their initial answers aligned with these themes. Students then elaborated on each theme to define more clearly what it means to be an intelligent digital citizen.

They also included information about how intelligent citizens respond when something goes wrong. This section acknowledges that mistakes happen, and that learning and growing from those mistakes with the support of trusted adults is a key component of intelligent citizenship. Students drafted an outline of what steps to take to work towards resolution, as well as how to be an upstander in a situation where they witness something that is not right.

The committee presented its process and its draft to Middle School teachers, Mrs. Montgomery, and Mrs. Knudsen for feedback. After a few adjustments and additions, committee members then shared it with their peers at assembly and helped to design an advisory activity to give advisors and students the chance to review and discuss the new policy together.

The reshaping of the Responsible Use Policy is just one component of our commitment to develop inclusive, informed, engaged, balanced, and alert digital citizens now and for the future. These themes are also supported in the advisory and Mindmakers programs. As we continue to evolve our digital citizenship and overall technology planning in the Middle School, the Middle School Technology Committee will continue to represent the student voice in our planning, creating an opportunity for students to be leaders in intelligent citizenship in both the physical and digital spaces!

• I’m inclusive - I am open to hearing and respectfully recognizing multiple viewpoints, and I engage with others online with respect and empathy.

• I’m informed - I evaluate the accuracy, perspective, and validity of digital media and social posts.

• I’m engaged - I use technology and digital channels for civic engagement, to solve problems and be a force for good in both physical and virtual communities.

• I’m balanced - I make informed decisions about how to prioritize my time and activities online and off.

• I’m alert - I am aware of my online actions and know how to be safe and create safe spaces for others online.