At Western Avenue Elementary, something exciting happened! It was the start of Digital Citizenship Week, a special time to learn about being safe, smart, and responsible when using technology like computers and tablets.
All the students at the school, from the youngest to the oldest, have been using iPads in their classrooms. This helps them learn how to use technology in a safe and responsible way. Even the second graders are becoming experts at this!
Rainy Rodriguez, a star from the Disney Channel, came to visit the school. She talked to everyone about how important it is to be smart and kind when using technology. She reminded the students to always be respectful and to remember their manners, even when they are online.
The event was part of a big plan called the Digital Citizenship Initiative. This plan is all about making sure students know how to use technology the right way. Important people from the city and the school district came to see how well the students were doing with their one-to-one laptop learning program.
During this special week, all 650,000 students in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) will learn from lessons about digital literacy and citizenship. These lessons teach things like respecting other people’s creative work, which the students at Western Avenue Elementary are already great at!
The celebration ended with a fun song that showed just how excited the students are about learning with technology. They are ready to be amazing digital citizens!
To find out more about Digital Citizenship Week and how you can be a responsible digital citizen, you can visit commonsense.org.
Technology Scavenger Hunt: Go on a scavenger hunt at home or in the classroom to find different types of technology. Make a list of the devices you find, such as a computer, tablet, or smartphone. Discuss with a parent or teacher how each device can be used safely and responsibly. Can you think of one rule for each device that helps you be a good digital citizen?
Role-Playing Game: With a friend or family member, take turns pretending to be a digital citizen. One person can be the “online friend” and the other can be the “digital citizen.” Practice how to respond kindly and safely to different online situations, like receiving a message from someone you don’t know or seeing a mean comment. What would you say or do to be smart and kind?
Create a Digital Citizenship Poster: Use paper and crayons or markers to create a poster that shows what it means to be a good digital citizen. Include pictures and words that remind others to be safe, smart, and respectful online. Hang your poster in your classroom or at home to share your message with others!
Here’s a sanitized version of the YouTube transcript:
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[Music][Applause][Music]
For the students at Western Avenue Elementary, the launch of Digital Citizenship Week was an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge about being safe, smart, and responsible with technology. Students began the celebration by discussing the challenges and opportunities of growing up in the digital world. Special guest Rainy Rodriguez from the Disney Channel addressed the audience, emphasizing the importance of being smart and responsible while using technology.
Since last September, all 680 students in this K-5 school have been using iPads in their classrooms. These second graders are mastering the skills needed to use technology safely and responsibly. Rainy Rodriguez shared her message about the responsibility that comes with technology, encouraging students to stay safe, be respectful, and always be kind, reminding them that it’s easy to forget these values when interacting online.
The event marked the start of LAUSD’s Digital Citizenship Initiative, with district and city officials joining students, teachers, and parents at Western to showcase its successful one-to-one laptop learning community. The officials highlighted the importance of having access to technology and the obligation to use it responsibly.
The long-term vision is for every school in LAUSD to integrate digital citizenship into their instructional programs consistently. In her role, Rodriguez has the opportunity to visit schools and engage with students about what it means to be a responsible digital citizen.
This week, all 650,000 students in LAUSD schools will participate in lessons from Common Sense Media’s digital literacy and citizenship curriculum. These lessons will cover topics such as respect for creative copyright, a concept that the students at Western have already mastered. The celebration concluded with a joyful rendition of a song, showcasing the students’ enthusiasm for learning with technology.
[Music][Music][Music]
To learn more about our work with LAUSD’s Digital Citizenship Week, visit us at commonsense.org.
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This version removes any unnecessary or potentially sensitive content while maintaining the core message and information.
