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During this Thing, we will be reviewing digital citizenship, acceptable use, sources for Cyber Safety and how to prevent identity theft.

What Do You Really Know About Digital Citizenship?

﻿Digital Citizenship is a concept which helps teachers, technology leaders, and parents talk about what all users should know regarding appropriate technology use. Digital Citizenship is more than just a teaching tool; it is a way to prepare students/technology users for a society full of technology. Too often we see students as well as adults misuse and abuse technology because they are unaware of what is appropriate. Our goal for this lesson is to help you become aware of what is appropriate and what could be harmful.

Read through the 9 Themes of Digital Citizenship below. Think about which areas you believe are important for your students to know about.

Reviewing the 9 Themes of Digital Citizenship

REP grouping (Respect, Educate & Protect) is a more global way to look at the 9 themes of Digital Citizenship.

Respect Yourself/Respect Others

1. Digital Access: full electronic participation in society
5. Digital Etiquette: electronic standards of conduct or procedure
6. Digital Law: electronic responsibility for actions and deeds

Educate Yourself/Connect with Others

2. Digital Commerce: electronic buying and selling of goods
3. Digital Communication: electronic exchange of information
4. Digital Literacy: process of teaching and learning about technology and the use of technology

Protect Yourself/Protect Others

7. Digital Rights & Responsibilities: those freedoms extended to everyone in a digital world
8. Digital Health & Wellness: physical & psychological well-being in a digital technology world
9. Digital Security (self-protection): electronic precautions to guarantee safety.

The resources below will assist you in modeling the REP framework for teaching and learning. It will be important that you share your knowledge with students, colleagues and parents through conversations and Face of Your Classroom.

Respect Yourself/Respect Others

Acceptable Use

Acceptable Use and appropriate use of the Internet is something that both teachers and students must understand. Educators must constantly evaluate resources and model appropriate use for students. Each school district must have an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) for students and staff in order to get Universal Service Funding. These policies outline the safe practices, expectations and responsibilities of using technology within the educational environment.

Bullying

The Learning First Alliance has provided a new comprehensive web library about bullying, with resources from educational organizations.

Visit 21 Things for Students Cybersafety pages - visit Quests 7-9 (Cyberbullying, Nobody Likes A Bully, Actions Can Hurt or Help) These Quests have statistics about bullying and additional information, videos and resources.

Twitter Etiquette

If you are a twitter user, there are many good resources to learn how to use Twitter more effectively. Check out a couple of these to see if you are responsible Tweeter:

Mashable's Complete Guide to Twitter Etiquette
Entrepreneur's The 10 Essentials of Twitter Etiquette
Lifewire's Top 10 Twitter Etiquette Tips

Accountable & Positive Talk Stems

Encourage students to show empathy and engage in positive talk, whether it is online in a discussion board or providing peer feedback in a collaborative document. Explore this presentation where we discuss the process and frameworks as you engage your students in socially responsible converesations that show empathy:

SAY (Say something constructive, Ask a question, Yay-give praise)

SAFE (Say, Ask, Feedback, Empathize)

THINK (True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary, Kind)

TAG (Tell something you learned, Ask a Question, Give a compliment)

Educate Yourself/Connect With Others

Google Yourself and Discover your Digital Footprint

Have you ever Googled yourself? In other words, do you know what information comes up during a Google search? It can be enlightening what you may find. Try it out and see what you find. Watch this video about evolving digital footprints.

Protect Yourself/Protect Others

Staying Safe Online

Whether emailing, chatting or using a social networking tool such as Twitter or FaceBook, it is very important to not reveal personal information online. A good example is if you are going away for the weekend, it is best not to post that you will be away. Wait until you have returned to share your vacation pictures. You should not friend, chat or email with those you do not know.

Identity Theft

Identity theft has increasingly been on the rise. We see the television commercials that are tongue in cheek, but if you have had your identity stolen it can wreak havoc with your life, finances, and credit history. The Federal Trade Commission has a site which will help you and your students stay safe. You will learn what it takes to protect your identity and what to do if you suspect identity theft.

Resources for Your Classroom

CommonSense Media provides a Digital Literacy & Citizenship Classroom Curriculum. This is a FREE treasure trove of resources for educators and parents. Once you register you have access to scope and sequence documents and the curriculum containing lessons and videos for grades K-5, 6-8, and 9-12. The curriculum is aligned to ELA Common Core, AASL, and ISTE Standards For Educators. Check out their Curriculum Page and their Digital Citizenship Training Page. Be sure to check out their Teacher's Essential Guide To Cyberbullying, a FREE cyberbullying toolkit for educators.

Also available is a Digital Passport for grades 3-5. Common Sense Education's award-winning suite of engaging games address key issues facing kids in today's digital world.

21 Things 4 Students provides lessons for students to make connections in the following areas; Digital FootPrint, Cybersafety, Social Networking & Buyer Beware.

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During this Thing, we will be reviewing digital citizenship, acceptable use, sources for Cyber Safety and how to prevent identity theft. ﻿Digital Citizenship is a concept which helps teachers, technology leaders, and parents talk about what all users should know regarding appropriate technology use.

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Technology is playing a bigger role in education, both in traditional classrooms and online, than ever before. With radical changes stemming from the internet, mobile devices, and other technological advances, there are a variety of opportunities to learn and thrive. If you're looking into furthering your education by enrolling in an online degree program, there are many tools at your disposal.

This guide will help you learn more about digital literacy and provide you with a number of useful apps for online college students to improve your academic efforts.

Digital Literacy

The internet and modern technology have changed the way society communicates and operates. This has transformed education. By learning how to use the devices, apps, tools, and resources in this guide, you'll be better prepared for success in your academic career.

What Is Digital Literacy?

"Digital literacy" is the ability to use technology to find information, evaluate sources, create content, and communicate with others effectively. It's a skillset used to navigate the new technological paradigm in which society operates. In order to be an effective learner in an online environment, it's extremely beneficial to be digitally literate.

There are a number of different skills that are part of digital literacy. Learning how to use computers and mobile devices, how to access information online, and even how to communicate with others online through social media, are all essential building blocks to a strong technological skill set.

Why Is Digital Literacy Important?

Literacy in the Classroom
When it comes to education, you can think of digital literacy in the same way as you would traditional literacy - the ability to read. You wouldn't expect a learner to succeed in a literature course on Shakespeare if they lack the basic skills to read and truly access those texts.

Similarly, as learning environments come to integrate more sophisticated technology - especially in the case of online learning - students need to know how to access information. With digital skills, however, they can learn, keep up with peers, participate, and advance to more complex topics. They also can adapt to established social expectations of online behavior, including maintaining a professional demeanor and dealing with issues concerning cyberbullying.

Likewise, the modern workplace has seen incredible shifts due to technology. New job duties, expectations, and forms of communication are making an impact in every sector. Becoming digitally literate prepares learners for these changes and, perhaps more importantly, teaches them to become adaptable as new innovations arise.

Digital Literacy Resources

As you can see, digital literacy is crucial to academic success, particularly for first-generation college students. If you're interested in learning more about the basics, check out the resources below:

DigitalLiteracy.gov: The ability to navigate the internet intelligently is a necessity for the modern worker. The Digital Literacy portal is an Obama administration initiative intended to offer resources to those interested in teaching or learning about online knowledge, etiquette and safety. Topics range from basic to advanced, but the assets relating to research resources and content evaluation have particular relevance for those in academics.

GCF Global: GCF Global has offered free educational material for over a decade, and their offerings have only grown in those years. People seeking education and tutorials in tech-related issues - from general internet literacy to using specific types of applications - can find relevant instruction here.

DigitalLearn.org: A product of the Public Library Association, DigitalLearn.org is designed to teach users how to do specific actions online, as well as computer literacy basics. It includes guidance about navigating the web, recognizing scams, applying for jobs online, and many more topics.

Microsoft - Digital Literacy: Microsoft's Digital Literacy Standard Curriculum teaches core information and communications technology concepts, covering computing and internet basics, how to use productivity programs, and an overview of how new technologies are shaping the world today. You can also earn a certificate for completing the modules.

US Digital Literacy: Educators and students alike can find valuable resources at US Digital Literacy. For instruction on digital learning and other 21st century skills, this is a good starting place for learning key terminology and concepts.

Best Apps for College Students

Modern college students use a wide variety of apps to plan, organize, take notes, study, and research. Because mobile devices can be taken anywhere, this has allowed learners to take their education completely online. Whether you're a high school student planning ahead or are a full-time college student, exploring the best apps for college students will help you succeed in your future online education.

Best Apps for Planning & Organization

G Suite: If you use Google Docs, Drive, or Calendar, you may already be familiar with some components of G Suite by Google Cloud. Each of these free, web-based tools have substantial potential when it comes to organizing and planning for academic success:

Google Docs: This word processor allows students to do school work and save their work on the cloud. The service includes Google Sheets and Google Slides, which can be used to create spreadsheets and slideshow presentations, respectively. These can be worked on with peers together in real time, making collaboration a breeze.

Google Drive: Store and synchronize files across different devices by using Google Drive. This ensures that you have access to your schoolwork when and where you need it.

Google Calendar: Putting important due dates and reminders on this online calendar will help you stay up to date on important assignments and prepare for upcoming tests.

Microsoft Office: Microsoft Office also includes a number of cloud-based, collaboration-enabled apps that can help users stay productive on practically any device. Note that, unlike G Suite, Microsoft Office has subscription fees for each service, though the tools do also have additional features:

Microsoft Word: This word processor is a great option for students. Like Google Docs, it allows users to share and collaborate on documents in real time. Additional features, like Resume Assistant, can even help you prepare for life after college.

Microsoft Excel: This spreadsheet software has advanced autofill capabilities, templates, and more advanced functionality than Google Sheets, though it does have a corresponding higher learning curve.

Microsoft PowerPoint: PowerPoint is to Google Slides as Excel is to Google Sheets; it offers more advanced features to users looking for an extra level of polish in their slideshow presentations.

Microsoft OneNote: This digital note-taking app allows users to gather and organize notes (handwritten or typed) and access them via any device. This is great for studying or simply tracking task lists.

Best Apps for Taking Notes

Evernote: Evernote enables learners to catalogue ideas, assignments, and task lists in order to keep organized and efficient. This can be a valuable tool for new college students, as it can help them acclimate to unfamiliar class schedules and track project due dates. Furthermore, students can use it to track information while doing academic research. While users can pay for a subscription to collaborate (which can be a great tool when doing projects with peers), a free basic account should suit most college students looking for help with organization.

MindNode: MindNode is an innovative, useful tool for organizing information. Using this application, students can create mind maps - visualizations that plainly show the relationship between different pieces of information. There are many applications for this approach: You can use it to study for tests, prepare information for a research paper, manage school-related projects and tasks, and even weigh the pros/cons of decisions in your personal or professional life.

TinyScan: Storing essential course-related documents and notes can be a hassle. With TinyScan, it doesn't have to be. This app turns your iPhone into a document scanner, complete with filters and brightness adjustment. By scanning documents with your phone's camera, you can create PDF documents which can be stored or sent as needed. With the ability to search for documents by their title and protect documents with passwords, this can help you keep things organized and secure.

Best Apps for Studying

Brainscape: Flashcards are one of the most tried-and-true tools for memorizing important terms and concepts. Brainscape gives learners access to many different sets of flashcards that have been curated by publishers and top educators across practically any college subject you could think of, as well as different vocational fields. Students can create and save their own sets of flashcards for free, though access to the site's "premium classes" cost a subscription fee.

Chegg: If you need help with homework or studying, Chegg has some tools worth looking into. This platform offers several apps that can help students in many different disciplines:

Chegg Study ($14.95/month): A membership for this feature enables you to get assistance for problems in over 22,000 commonly used textbooks on college campuses. You also get access to Chegg's experts and study community, should you have more in-depth questions.

Chegg Math Solver ($3.14/month): Learners in math and science-related majors can benefit from this helpful tool. Using the Math Solver, students can scan a math problem with their smartphone's camera in order to get a detailed explanation of how to solve it, including step-by-step instructions.

Flashcards+ (free): This app allows students to create and save decks of flashcards to study key terms and concepts. You can also download flashcard decks made by peers online in order to share and learn together.

MyScript Calculator 2: Typing in calculations in your smartphone's native calculator app can be annoying, if not useless, depending on the math problem you're working on. MyScript Calculator 2 allows you to use a stylus or your finger to write out calculations as you would on paper. You can edit your calculation, easily erasing and modifying elements with ease. The result, which is automatically calculated, will update appropriately. With support for a wide range of operators, and at only $3, this is a useful app for students in most math courses.

( OFFTIME ): Though technology can help us be more organized and efficient, it can also make us extremely inefficient, as anyone who has binged on YouTube videos can attest to. ( OFFTIME ) lets you unplug from technology and truly focus on the assignment at hand. You can set up the app to monitor device usage and block access to distracting apps or calls (while providing auto answers for the latter) during critical times of study or work.

Quizlet: Need help studying for the next big test? Quizlet has nearly 300 million study sets on an incredibly diverse range of subjects. These incorporate flashcards, games, and more. While many resources can be accessed for free, a premium membership is available that gives users access to expert-created guides.

Best Apps for Writing & Research

EasyBib: EasyBib can help students correctly cite sources for free, with support of a number of different style formats. All users have to do is enter information about each of their sources and EasyBib will automatically generate a bibliography for your research project. With a paid premium membership, users can have their work scanned to check for instances of grammatical and spelling errors, as well as unintentional plagiarism.

Grammarly: All writers - from chemistry majors reporting research findings to english majors writing dissertations on Shakespeare - have their own quirks. Sometimes, in the rush to meet project deadlines, their work is less than grammatically correct. If you've found yourself losing points on grammatical mistakes, you can rely on Grammarly to help you produce more consistently polished work. A free account will help you catch most basic errors, though you can pay for a subscription for access to more in-depth feedback.

iTunes U: Additional educational resources can be found on iTunes U, an app designed to provide learners with access to free lectures, books, videos, and more from top educators around the globe. If any of your instructors opt to use it in their classes, you'll be able to submit assignments, track due dates, and check off completed work as it's completed.

ThingLink: Sometimes, all you need to retain information more effectively is a bit of context. ThingLink allows subscribers to do that by linking images or video to additional sources of information. Educators can use it to provide students with contextual information, while students can use it while studying or collaborating.

Best Online Learning Tools & Resources

There are many unique digital resources and online learning tools that both students and teachers can use. Learning more about these can prepare you to meet academic expectations and learn more about topics in your major.

Blackboard: One of the most popular platforms for course management at universities today, it pays to get familiar with the features and functions of Blackboard. Depending on your school's and instructors' expectations, you may need to sign up for courses, check your course schedule, and/or submit coursework via this online portal.

Coursera: Partnering with top universities and organizations, Coursera provides users access to a wide number of online educational programs. College students looking to earn specific certificates to prepare for life after school can earn them here - or users can opt to take their entire academic career online, earning their degree through programs found on Coursera.

edX: As online learning continues to grow in popularity, so does the amount of subpar instructional content - which can leave learners struggling to find high-quality educational material. edX seeks to resolve that by providing users with a library of effective online courses across a diverse range of subjects. While there is a fee for enrollment, this can be a useful tool when seeking out coursework for independent study.

Saylor Academy: Want to supplement your college education with additional online learning? Explore what Saylor Academy has to offer. As a nonprofit, this resource seeks to offer free online courses to those who are looking to learn. Their courses are curated from online resources created by experts in education, and each is designed as a self-paced experience. While the site is not accredited, you can still earn some valuable experience using it.

TED-Ed: While TED Conferences began in 1990, their presentations (known as "TED Talks") have exploded in popularity in the past decade. TED-Ed consists of informative, thought-provoking presentations that are powerful tools in education, as they cover a wide range of topics and present unique perspectives on academic or controversial issues. When used in the classroom, they can springboard students into debate. Watching them independently can help you grasp the talking points related to key topics.

Online Resources for Students in Math, Science, Business, Humanities, and Other Majors

In addition to the platforms listed above, there are specific resources that are helpful to students in certain majors. Take a look below to see how these can improve your learning efforts.

Online Math Resources

Open Textbook Library: Those looking to improve their math skills can use free mathematics textbooks available at the Open Textbook Library. This is a great resource for independent study or to brush up on specific skills. With subjects that range from basic to advanced, this is suitable for college students of all grade levels.

HTML.com - 50+ Killer Resources for Computer Science Students: Majors involving computer science are technically some of the most popular mathematics-related fields of study on college campuses today. This list of resources, curated by HTML.com, will help students in these fields in a wide variety of ways.

Online Science Resources

Online Business Resources

Online Humanities Resources

Online Resources for Other Subjects

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Digital Literacy & Online Learning Resources | Maryville Online

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Technology is playing a bigger role in education, both in traditional classrooms and online, than ever before. With radical changes stemming from the internet, mobile devices, and other technological advances, there are a variety of opportunities to learn and thrive.

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What Do You Do To Protect your Peace And Fill Your Day 

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What Do You Do To Protect your Peace And Fill Your Day 

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Lilly Singh's funny advice to her 40 million followers: Put down your phones!

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Her show "A Little Late with Lilly Singh" is on hiatus, but comedian Lilly Singh is still sharing videos with her 40 million followers - including one advising them to get off their phones. "Social media should be a tool, but often I let the tool use me," she tells TODAY.

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Skip to Content

A lot or a little?

The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.

What's the story?

When you watch LILLY SINGH's videos, you'll see her perform as many different characters. Singh plays her own mom and dad, boys, teachers, other girls, and more. Sometimes many characters in the same video are all Singh. In the video When Someone Insults Your Mother, Singh plays three different characters, all in a showdown over "Yo Mama" jokes. There's some swearing or near-swearing ("effing" and "hell" are favorites), and some videos contain a heavy dose of sexual innuendo or silly comments about raging hormones, genitalia, and "banging."

Is it any good?

Talk to your kids about ...

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Skip to Content The parents' guide to what's in this TV show. When you watch LILLY SINGH's videos, you'll see her perform as many different characters. Singh plays her own mom and dad, boys, teachers, other girls, and more. Sometimes many characters in the same video are all Singh.