Digital Citizenship & Technology
Digital Citizenship 6-12 Resources
We believe:
Digital Citizenship is an important element of student learning and character development in today's world. Strong habits of online safety and digital citizenship and media balance need to be taught directly as well as in the context of digital tasks throughout adolescence.
What we do:
Secondary students in the Mercer Island School District build their skills and understanding about digital citizenship and online safety within the context of their lessons, practice, and projects using digital tools including iPads and computer labs. In addition, students in grade 6-12 receive direct instruction from their teachers with the support of Instructional Technology Coaches. Supplemental lessons are provided in advisory classes (Gator Time/Islander Hour).
What you can do:
We encourage families to make digital citizenship and online safety part of your conversations and expectations at home. Creating clear guidelines and habits for young adults around technology at home can help support them as access and responsibility with digital media increase in the teen years.
Here are a few useful links for parents about technology at home:
Common Sense Media Toolbox for Parents This site has many family resources from movie and app reviews to parent guides.
Common Sense Media's Online Safety and Privacy for Families This site is broken down to K-2, 3-5 6-8 and 9-12 with age appropriate guidance for families about keeping children safe online.
Cmmon Sense Media's Family Media Agreement Form This is a PDF you can use as is to help guide family conversations and expectations, or adapt to your needs.
Common Sense Media's Device Contract Form If you are considering giving your child access to a phone or device at home, this form helps guide families through setting up expectations for technology at home. It's a powerful family exercise especially prior to 6th grade when student issued devices are allowed to be taken home.
Common Sense Media's Parent Video Tips This is a collection of short (1-2 minute videos) on a powerful variety of technology topics for parents to use to build awareness of technology tools and concerns as well as advice for how to best navigate technology at home with children.
Federal Trade Commission Protecting Kids Online Page -- This page has articles about how to talk to your kids about online safety, phone use, and parental controls.
NetSmart Kids Parent Resources NetSmart Kids is an online safety curriculum with games and activities for students as well as PowerPoints, parent guides and tip sheets.
Technology
- The Mercer Island School District provides an iPad for the 6th - 12th graders to check out as an educational tool during the school year.
- Parents will receive more information in regards to the iPad as the 2022/2023 school year gets underway.
- Schoology is our internal learning management system and main online communication with information about upcoming assignments, homework and learning resources. Some families find it helpful to think of Schoology as information students need before an assignment is turned in (due dates, resources for learning, etc).
- Parent Schoology account information will be emailed out in September.
- Skyward is our student information system and main on-line communication resource in regards to grades. Skyward is especially helpful after the assignment is due (scores/grades earned on assignments, overall course grades, list of missing work, etc).
- Teachers update Skyward far less frequently than Schoology, approximately every three weeks.
- Families should check Skyward no more than once a week, and should check with teachers with any questions.