Our technology and maker space lessons are up and running starting with introducing and reviewing the knowledge and attitude necessary to be phenomenal digital citizens this school year. We began the process of modeling and practicing skills that help young people become thoughtful, empathetic digital citizens who know how to use technology to learn and solve problems in their digital and physical communities. In all grades we will be emphasizing the 5 Competencies of Digital Citizenship:

1. Balanced–Students participate in a healthy variety of online activities and know how to prioritize their time between virtual and physical activities.

2. Informed–Students evaluate the accuracy, perspective, and validity of digital media, and have developed critical skills for curating information from digital sources. 

3. Inclusive–Students are open to hearing and recognizing multiple viewpoints and engaging with others online with respect and empathy.

4. Engaged–Students use technology and digital channels to solve problems and be a force for good in their families and communities.

5. Alert–Students are aware of their digital actions and know how to be safe and create safe spaces for others online.

In our maker space, students will learn and implement the design process and will collaborate and create solutions to problems. Technology Integration Specialist, David Thielen, has been leading age appropriate introductory lessons in each grade. A few highlights were Middle School students working together to design and create a bridge having only straws to work with, Kindergarten students learning about the beginnings of coding and how people that design computers have to first tell the computers what to do, and Grade 3 students receiving their very first chromebooks!