We have made a concerted effort to infuse the principles of Digital Citizenship, as described by Bailey and Ribbe, into our 1:1 Tablet PC program.  For each of the past four months we have focused on a specific theme and used a school-home-school approach to engage our students, teachers, and parents:

• Digital Access
• Digital Literacy
• Digital Communication
• Digital Etiquette

In January, we were fortunate to have noted author and educator Rosalind Wiseman spend two days on campus.  Because she is a knowledgeable on a number of digital issues, including cyberbullying, we utilized her expertise to address various aspects of Digital Rights and Responsibilities.  The following segment is from a presentation she made to our 7th and 8th grade students and teachers:

As she discussed the use of electronic communication and interaction, she repeatedly stressed the concept of dignity.  In her words, “dignity is non-negotiable” and each of us has a right to be treated appropriately and a responsibility to act properly.  Admittedly, this isn’t always easy for teens and preteens; adolescence is a difficult time.  As adults, we must help our students deal with these issues and think less in terms of teaching “subjects” and more about the need for teaching the whole child.

When conflicts arise and students’ rights are compromised, Wiseman suggests using the SEAL approach:

• Stop and assess what has happened. Breathe, evaluate, observe your allies, aggressors and the bystanders.
• Explain your point of view or your feelings. Explain what specifically happened in the situation, focusing on the other person’s actions and their effect on you. Request a suggested outcome.
• Affirm your own feelings and/or the other person’s. Sometimes you have to agree to disagree.
• Lock a friendship in or lock it out. Not everyone has to be a friend, but you must treat everyone with respect.

While not every child (or adult for that matter) may feel comfortable addressing issues of bullying and harrassment, it’s important that we take a stand and foster a climate of trust and support.  All of us–parents, teachers, coaches, counselors–can make school and home a safe,  positive environment where dignity truly is non-negotiable.

Posted: 02|5|09 at 4:53 pm. Filed under: Digital Citizenship.
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