CCTP Program and Policy Specialist
Do you use social media? Do you feel like you would miss out on something if you weren’t on social media? What are the dangers of participating in social media? High school students grappled with these and other questions in a showcase forum at Valley Academy of Arts and Sciences during the district’s celebration of Digital Citizenship Week in late October.
Entitled “Student Voices, Student Choices,” the forum was designed to amplify student perspectives on engaging with today’s powerful technology. To kick off the event, audience members -- mostly high school students -- used their tablets to take an interactive survey via the Nearpod app. Real-time results displayed on a large screen showed that almost all students use some form of social media and feel they would miss out on activities if they were not on social media.
During the forum, moderated by football Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott, a panel of 15 students representing nine LAUSD high schools engaged in lively discussion of topics ranging from cyberbullying to digital footprints.
The student-led forum and other events were part of the district’s second annual Digital Citizenship week, developed in partnership with Common Sense Education. Digital Citizenship Education supports students in navigating the vast online world safely and responsibly.
This showcase event was months in the making and featured a great deal of behind-the-scenes efforts to continue to build momentum around the importance of digital citizenship for LAUSD students, parents, and staff. For example, comprehensive digital citizenship toolkits were curated to provide themed, grade-appropriate lesson plans; professional development workshops; and materials to engage parents, guardians, and caregivers.
Given the pivotal role technology plays in students’ lives, organizers said it was critical to start a district-wide conversation on digital citizenship to better prepare and support educators and students. Digital citizenship curriculum aligns with LAUSD’s overarching strategic goal to provide a world-class, 21st century education in a safe and nurturing environment. It also helps prepare students to become effective and conscientious leaders in the world they will enter in college, careers, and beyond.
Digital citizenship education is an ongoing effort throughout the school year.
“The conversation must go on if we are to ensure today’s students are prepared for 21st century opportunities,” said Rasheed Khan, CCTP coordinator for learning management systems, and the event’s lead organizer. “Through our Digital Citizenship Week efforts, it was our hope to provide rich, timely information on safe and responsible online engagement. We want to support teachers in implementing digital citizenship education, and gain momentum in continuing this important conversation.”