EdTechTeacher iPad Summit Boston 2015

Our children do not see their online lives and their face-to-face lives as separate. All of their interactions - digital or in person - are part of one whole life. Educators have always taught students how to communicate and contribute positively in person; these same standards apply when our students communicate and contribute in the digital world.

Teaching students to present their real selves, develop online privacy and safety habits, and contribute meaningfully to our blended society is essential to educating the whole child. Therefore, digital citizenship should not be a special, separate lesson, unit, or event. Rather, it needs to be thoughtfully integrated into all content areas on an ongoing basis. This responsibility belongs to all educators.

We will demonstrate how to create an ongoing conversation with students, parents, and educators to build an fully integrated approach in our school community. As a group, we will explore the variety of topics that fall under the"digital citizenship" umbrella, and how they relate to content and lessons already taught across all disciplines. Participants will then experience simulations of lessons from varied content areas -- from World Languages to Math and Art -- in grades 6 through 12. These lessons will help develop participants' understanding of how to use this mindset in their own classroom and school communities.