Inappropriate Use of Digital Media

With my role as a K-5 Technology Teacher, I am made aware of many inappropriate uses of digital media students make throughout the school year. Most recently, I had a group of third grade girls mistakenly CC me in on a school email chain they had going between one another. Although the content of the messages were harmless, it definitely made me aware of how our students may be using their school email for ways not intended. After talking with the girls and reviewing digital etiquette expectations at school, I learned the group of students thought the Gmail app was similar to the messages app they use on their phones outside of school. Since the app was available for download on the school iPads, they figured what they were doing was ok. It definitely alarmed me to revisit these basic expectations with all students, as I had taken for granted our K-5 students knew the difference between Gmail and text messages. This sparked ideas for me to revamp my digital citizenship lessons to include work on professional vs. personal digital communication as well as the difference between using technology outside of school vs. inside of school.