Digital Citizenship Course Debuts in Upper School

What does it mean to be a good digital citizen? Grade 9 students are exploring that question in Integrated Studies: Foundations of Digital Studio, a new course addition in the Upper School this year. Designed to build students’ understanding of digital citizenship, the course teaches students how to use technology responsibly, effectively, and intelligently as they navigate and create their digital footprint on the web.
“As citizens of the 21st century, our students need to be educated on best practices for building their online brand and identity, ” said Visual Arts Teacher Belle Moldovan, who is spearheading the course. “In order for them to be effective digital communicators, they have to learn about design and the digital tools they can use to advocate for themselves and what they want.”

Informed by her own design and art background, Mrs. Moldovan teaches students how to appropriately and powerfully conduct themselves online, while introducing new-age presentation techniques like podcasting via cloud-based and digital imaging software. Through digital tools like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Audition, students learn how to present their arguments, messages, and ideas in compelling audio and visual projects—a skill that they can then apply and build upon as they progress through the Upper School. By learning how to effectively communicate in the digital space, students are empowered to be responsible content creators and consumers as their digital and physical worlds become more and more intertwined.

Director of College Counseling Keith Bryner reaffirmed the importance of responsible digital citizenship when he joined the class to explain how colleges take digital resources into account when making acceptance decisions. To practice crafting an online brand, students designed their own unique ePortfolios that chronicle their coursework and progress throughout the year. This digital medium allows students to creatively record their work and accomplishments, while teaching them how to build and maintain a platform that is becoming increasingly popular in the college admissions process. Students are working on an intensive Photoshop project inspired by photographer Maggie Taylor, who combines digital media with photography and painting, where they must craft a visual narrative using Photoshop techniques.

Built into the grade 9 curriculum, Foundations of Digital Studio intentionally develops students’ digital skill sets at the beginning of their high school career so they can integrate their visual and creative presentation skills into their coursework early and often. “Design is crucial to good visual communication,” said Mrs. Moldovan. “By weaving together technology, art, and design with citizenship, we’re showing every student who comes through the Upper School that we value technology. We teach them the rules and tools that can amplify their voice.”
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