Trends in ED Tech: Digital Citizenship

Digital Citizenship: Nearpod and Learning Apps

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has caused us to reevaluate our perceptions of the role technology plays in society, in particular digital tools. The educational news website ISTE, in fact, has published an article listing nine current trends in edtech, the first being digital citizenship. Digital citizenship is defined a number of ways, first as ensuring safety and security online through means such as password protection, and second as using digital tools responsibly and effectively. It is listed into five focus areas including, as defined below, inclusivity, being informed, engagement, balance, and alertness. 

Image Source: ISTE

A platform that caught my eye pertaining to digital citizenship was Nearpod, a hybrid digital tool which allows teachers to create interactive, slide-based resources for students. There are over 22,000 interactive lessons, videos, and games/activities from grades K-12 for a multitude of subjects. Nearpod offers free lessons every year for Digital Citizenship Week on a number of topics including digital literacy, cyberbullying, media balance, news, and media literacy, communication, digital footprints, and online privacy.

To learn more about Nearpod, its features, and its pros and cons, please watch this video and check out the readings below.


Further Information:

“Common Sense Privacy Evaluation for Nearpod.” The Common Sense Privacy Program, 2 May 2023, privacy.commonsense.org/evaluation/nearpod.

Edwards, Luke. “What Is Nearpod and How Does It Work? Best Tips and Tricks.” TechLearningMagazine, 9 Feb. 2023, www.techlearning.com/how-to/what-is-nearpod-and-how-does-it-work.

Fingal, Diana. “The Hottest Topics in Edtech in 2021.” ISTE, 29 Jan. 2021, www.iste.org/explore/professional-development/hottest-topics-edtech-2021.

“Free Lessons for Digital Citizenship Week.” Nearpod Blog, 9 May 2023, nearpod.com/blog/digital-citizenship-week-free-lessons/.

Horn, Emily. “Five Free, Ready-to-Use Digital Citizenship Resources for PK-12 Lessons.” TechNotes Blog, 18 Oct. 2021, blog.tcea.org/digital-citizenship-week-free-resources-pk-12-lessons/.

“Nearpod Alternatives: Interactive Learning Apps Comparison.” TeacherMade, 18 Nov. 2022, teachermade.com/nearpod-alternatives/.

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