Week 5

Prior to this class, digital citizenship was a blanket term to use when talking about online behavior. I knew it was rather extensive, but I didn’t realize just how big it really is. Honestly, the most meaningful realization in this course has been that my district isn’t doing enough regarding digital citizenship. In fact, I’m thinking of developing a 20 week elective to be taught to high school juniors and seniors. I quickly realized the importance of teaching digital citizenship and I want to be involved in getting something started.

My biggest accomplishment might be simply completing the course with some sanity intact. Which also leads me to my challenges. My biggest challenge was myself. I can go on and on with things that could have been differently as far as how this course was designed or the amount of busy work I completed each week, but that will get me nowhere. I fully accept that all of my complaints were products of my fixed mindset. But this will also help be grow as an educational leader. The content covered will obviously be beneficial, but as I continue down my path of an educational leader I’ll be able to keep in mind what works and what doesn’t. The content in this course also connects to life outside of the classroom. As someone who is alive and plugged in, I’m not sure how I could argue otherwise. Being a “good” digital citizen doesn’t end with the school bell. If I have these expectations from my students, then I must model what it means.

My best work for this course is the magazine I created for teachers and admin to get a better understanding of digital citizenship. Within the last year I started using canva.com to create infographics and presentations and I am always so proud of my creations. I took it a step further and searched out a way for my PDF to actually look like a magazine on the screen. I love it.

My favorite aspect of this course is the same as it usually is - the other students and the professor. My classmates are so knowledgeable about so many different topics. I love to see what they have to say on any given topic. As for the professor of the course, she is always informed and ready to help. Her level of understanding is always appreciated and goes a long way.

Most of my friends know I am completing this degree so we talk often about my work - I can’t say they’re always willing participants in these conversations, but they can pretend. I’ve shared the necessity of embedding digital citizenship ideas into our lessons, and I will continue to make an effort to bring about this change in my district.

Future students: “when eating an elephant take one bite at a time.” This course offers so much information in 5 short weeks, but it all comes together in the end. If I could change one thing I’ve done for this course, it might be this reflection - eleven questions doesn’t feel very authentic.