Digital Citizenship is such an important concept to teach - especially with the younger children. In much the same way that we teach them that only one child can speak at a time or that we put our feet under the table when we eat, digital citizenship is another way that we need to introduce and hold the children accountable for their actions. In Cool Cat Teacher's blog regarding digital citizenship, one comment stated"At the upper level, kids need to be taught HOW to access credible sources...via data bases, advanced google searches and other good search strategies. If we don't, they will continue to go to the first sources available. " I think it is important to recognize that even young children need to understand that simply because something is on the Internet doesn't make it true. My class worked a lot last year to research topics on the Internet regarding projects that we were studying. We went through the whole procedure regarding google and wonder wheel. Even young children can be introduced to the concept of reputable sources. While I wasn't able to find it myself, I also liked what Tracey mentioned in Trog to Blog about THINK.
I think that the way to get across the ideas of digital citizenship with young children is to talk your way through it. Just as we talk out loud when modeling how to write or how to read like a writer, I think that it is important to research online with the children and discuss why a site is reputable or not - even questioning information found on one site and checking it with another. At our level, children need to consume much before we could ever expect them to apply what they know. The most important thing I can do is provide a solid framework for the children to build other knowledge.
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