11. Digital Citizenship

In my opinion, many young people who grew up with the Internet may not realize that the Internet is a social network that involves protocol. Having face-to-face conversations and using IM/ emails are different forms of communication.Reading a message one receives via the computer will leave out gestures and body language that are needed for productive communication.

As school begins, my middle school students will address five concerns involving computers and the Internet.

1. When researching, the students need to investigate more than one source.
2. The students need to question any information they have gathered.
3. Checking over their work is necessary.
4. Students may think that everything on the Internet is accurate and true.They need to read with a watchful eye.
5. My students will be more aware of copyright issues. Sometimes students tend to copy and paste information into their own work. They need to realize that practice is not acceptable.