Three Technologies Related to Digital Citizenship, Ethics, and Netiquette Which are Beneficial to Adult Learning

Three Technologies Related to Digital Citizenship, Ethics, and Netiquette Which are Beneficial to Adult Learning

The first technology I found important was posted by Rachel Normand on her blog at http://rach084.wordpress.com. This is a website called Ethics Game which may be accessed at www.ethicsgame.com. Rachel posits that this site would be great for teachers, administrators and students. It teaches ethical awareness, critical thinking and ethical decision making. I explored this site and was satisfied with Rachel’s findings. As an adult educator and Interim Director of the Writing Center, I would introduce this site to The Writing center tutors and all students that I teach in my courses. Writing Center tutors need to be aware of ethical protocols in research, avoiding plagiarism, sending online communication, and even the level of how to communicate with students. Students in classes need to know how to interact within the online community with their professors and colleagues. This site will also help students to understand the difference between communicating with friends versus communicating with classmates in groups as well as college staff in the Financial Aid and student services areas.

I explored Aaron Schlott’s blog posts at http://aaronablog2013.blogstop.com and also found two great sites on Netiquette and digital citizenship. He first introduced a site that referenced the nine elements of digital citizenship, yet focusing mainly on digital security. This site may be accessed at http://www.commonsensemedia.org/advice-for-parents/be-good-digital-citizen-tips-teens-and-parents. I would introduce this site to the incoming freshmen and second semester students. I would also introduce this site in my digital speech communication class. All these students would learn and understand that there are protocols to follow even on social media sites. Respecting privacy of family and friends are important. Shared pictures and information should not be necessarily forwarded to others without the permission of the original sender. Posting the where, when and location of family events, outings, vacations will sometimes expose your family to danger such as homes being burglarized and other serious crimes.

Another great site posted by Aaron was a site which focused on online communication remembering the human side of cyberspace. This may be accessed at http://www.albion.com/netiquette/corerules.html. This site reminds us that there is always a human face on the other side of our digital communication. Before sending a brash and harsh email or text message; one should stop to consider whether or not the same message would be delivered face to face. Only cowards and bullies use digital communication to hurt others while hiding behind online communication. At least 95% of my learners are on face book during any given semester. I would introduce this site to them. I would also introduce this site to youth groups at church, community center youth meetings, student activities club meetings, and to all young and mature adult learners. All these sites are great tools of learning for digital citizenship and netiquette.

References

Normand, R. (2013). Themes relating to digital citizenship and ethics. Retrieved August

            22 from http://rach084.wordpress.com/

              Schlott, A. (2013). Digital citizenship and ethics. Retrieved August 22, 2013 from

            http://aaronablog2013.blogspot.com/