Digital Literacy and Information Fluency

In 2013 Animal Planet aired a documentary about the discovering of mermaids and everything in the history that shows that mermaids might really actually exist.

The purpose of this site and series is to inform people about the discoveries that are made by scientists and normal everyday people across the world. People would like to know about new creatures that are being discovered, like mermaids. People think they have the right to know about what is going on in the world, and we do. It is not everyday that someone discovers a mythical creature.

Some people believed that there are such things as mermaids and other people think it’s all one big hoax to make money off of innocent people that will believe anything they hear. Most of the scientists that didn’t see the corpse of the mermaid, didn’t believe in it but the people who saw the corpse or any other evidence of mermaids believes in it.
Most of the videos you can see is man made with technology - computers, photoshop etc. but some of the pictures and videos look like the real deal. The videos by Animal Planet were made to explain how mermaids may have existed all a long and how they may have evolved. These videos is based on a theory and not real life or facts.

My opinion about this site is that some of the videos can be real but for the other I can see that it is fake. I will believe it if I see it with my own eyes in front of me, but I do believe that there are creatures out there that must still be discovered or that will maybe never be discovered like unicorns, mermaids, fairies, minotaur, aliens etc. for now we have to believe in what is real and what we know that God created. For the rest, it will stay mythical.

( Anon. n.d. Animal Planet - Mermaids. Accessed 5 May 2015. http://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/mermaids/)

Having a digital footprint means that everything you do on the internet can be traced back to you whether or not you have deleted it, it will stay on the internet forever. Employers can trace your digital footprint to see what kind of person you are and if they want you to be a part of their company, and if you left a bad digital footprint it will influence their decision in employing you.

(Anon, 2015: 54-55)

Digital Citizenship and Digital Access

The center of social capital is social networks and their value. Social capital are the values of all social networks. Social networks refers to the people you know or are a part of your social group.
(Anon. N.d. About Social Capital. Accessed 16 May 2015. http://www.hks.harvard.edu/programs/saguaro/about-social-capital)
My perception of social capital is the amount of friends you have and how they are of a value to you.

Knowledge capital is an intangible asset that consists of the skills, experience and information of the workers of a business. Knowledge capital has nothing to do with the physical factors of production, but has everything do to with the worker’s skills, information knowledge etc.  when a business has workers with skills, information knowledge and experience it gives the business a competitive advantage above other businesses.
(Anon. N.d. Knowledge Capital. Accessed 16 May 2015. http://www.investopedia.com/terms/k/knowledge-capital.asp#ixzz3aK1QmqYn )

Human capital does not only consist of one thing but a collection of a lot of things such as intelligence, wisdom, skills, talents, knowledge, training etc. that a person have. These traits and the extent of these traits will determine the success and wealth of a person.
(Anon. N.d. Human Capital. Accessed 16 May 2015. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_capital)

Digital Rights and Responsibilities

Rights and Responsibilities
All the students has the right to an education, but it is their responsibility to come to class, do their homework and assignment and to study for tests.
All users must protect VC's E-Resources from unauthorized access. Specifically, all users must:
• Take responsibility for the security and integrity of information stored on any personal or assigned desktop, laptop, or handheld system;
• Take care to access E-Resources only from secure environments and to log out of sessions before leaving any computer unattended;
• Take all appropriate precautions when accessing confidential or restricted College data to protect the data from unauthorized disclosures and from threats to its accuracy or integrity;
• Comply with requests from the IT Staff and other authorized personnel to cease use of E-Resources that compromises the E-Resources or the College; and,
• Cooperate with system administrators during investigations of improper use.

AUP for IIE and penalty guideline
The College makes E-Resources available to support its academic and administrative goals, and uses of E-Resources to advance those goals take precedence over all others.
The staff of the Varsity College's Information Technology department ("IT Staff") is responsible for the administration of this policy.

This Policy applies to all information-technology and other electronic resources of Varsity College ("E-Resources"), including without limitation:
All computers, systems, equipment, software, networks, and computer facilities owned, managed, or maintained by the College for the handling of data, voice, television, telephone, or related signals or information;
Any access or use of the College's electronic resources from a computer or other system not controlled or maintained by the College; and,
The creation, processing, communication, distribution, storage, and disposal of information under the College's control.

All use of VC's E-Resources must comply with:
• All College policies, procedures, and codes of conduct, including those found in the student, faculty, and employee handbooks;
• All laws and regulations applicable to the user or the College; and,
• All relevant licenses and other contractual commitments of the College, as modified from time to time.

(http://robyngigc.weebly.com)

The five fluencies

The nine(9) elements of digital citizenship

Nine Themes of Digital Citizenship
Digital citizenship can be defined as the norms of appropriate, responsible behavior with regard to technology use. 

1.   Digital Access:   full electronic participation in society.
Technology users need to be aware that not everyone has the same opportunities when it comes to technology.  Working toward equal digital rights and supporting electronic access is the starting point of Digital Citizenship. Digital exclusion makes it difficult to grow as a society increasingly using these tools. Helping to provide and expand access to technology should be goal of all digital citizens.  Users need to keep in mind that there are some that may have limited access, so other resources may need to be provided.  To become productive citizens, we need to be committed to make sure that no one is denied digital access.

2.   Digital Commerce:   electronic buying and selling of goods.
Technology users need to understand that a large share of market economy is being done electronically. Legitimate and legal exchanges are occurring, but the buyer or seller needs to be aware of the issues associated with it. The mainstream availability of Internet purchases of toys, clothing, cars, food, etc. has become commonplace to many users. At the same time, an equal amount of goods and services which are in conflict with the laws or morals of some countries are surfacing (which might include activities such as illegal downloading, pornography, and gambling). Users need to learn about how to be effective consumers in a new digital economy. 

3.   Digital Communication:   electronic exchange of information.
One of the significant changes within the digital revolution is a person’s ability to communicate with other people. In the 19th century, forms of communication were limited. In the 21st century, communication options have exploded to offer a wide variety of choices (e.g., e-mail, cellular phones, instant messaging).  The expanding digital communication options have changed everything because people are able to keep in constant communication with anyone else. Now everyone has the opportunity to communicate and collaborate with anyone from anywhere and anytime. Unfortunately, many users have not been taught how to make appropriate decisions when faced with so many different digital communication options.

4.   Digital Literacy:   process of teaching and learning about technology and the use of technology.
While schools have made great progress in the area of technology infusion, much remains to be done. A renewed focus must be made on what technologies must be taught as well as how it should be used. New technologies are finding their way into the work place that are not being used in schools (e.g., Videoconferencing, online sharing spaces such as wikis). In addition, workers in many different occupations need immediate information (just-in-time information). This process requires sophisticated searching and processing skills (i.e., information literacy). Learners must be taught how to learn in a digital society. In other words, learners must be taught to learn anything, anytime, anywhere.  Business, military, and medicine are excellent examples of how technology is being used differently in the 21st century. As new technologies emerge, learners need to learn how to use that technology quickly and appropriately. Digital Citizenship involves educating people in a new way— these individuals need a high degree of information literacy skills.

5. Digital Etiquette:   electronic standards of conduct or procedure.Technology users often see this area as one of the most pressing problems when dealing with Digital Citizenship. We recognize inappropriate behavior when we see it, but before people use technology they do not learn digital etiquette (i.e., appropriate conduct).   Many people feel uncomfortable talking to others about their digital etiquette.  Often rules and regulations are created or the technology is simply banned to stop inappropriate use. It is not enough to create rules and policy, we must teach everyone to become responsible digital citizens in this new society.

6.   Digital Law:   electronic responsibility for actions and deeds
Digital law deals with the ethics of technology within a society. Unethical use manifests itself in form of theft and/or crime. Ethical use manifests itself in the form of abiding by the laws of society. Users need to understand that stealing or causing damage to other people’s work, identity, or property online is a crime. There are certain rules of society that users need to be aware in a ethical society. These laws apply to anyone who works or plays online. Hacking into others information, downloading illegal music, plagiarizing, creating destructive worms, viruses or creating Trojan Horses, sending spam, or stealing anyone’s identify or property is unethical.

7.   Digital Rights & Responsibilities:   those freedoms extended to everyone in a digital world.Just as in the American Constitution where there is a Bill of Rights, there is a basic set of rights extended to every digital citizen. Digital citizens have the right to privacy, free speech, etc. Basic digital rights must be addressed, discussed, and understood in the digital world.  With these rights also come responsibilities as well.  Users must help define how the technology is to be used in an appropriate manner.  In a digital society these two areas must work together for everyone to be productive.

8.   Digital Health & Wellness:   physical and psychological well-being in a digital technology world.
Eye safety, repetitive stress syndrome, and sound ergonomic practices are issues that need to be addressed in a new technological world.  Beyond the physical issues are those of the psychological issues that are becoming more prevalent such as Internet addiction.  Users need to be taught that there are inherent dangers of technology. Digital Citizenship includes a culture where technology users are taught how to protect themselves through education and training.

9.   Digital Security (self-protection):   electronic precautions to guarantee safety.
In any society, there are individuals who steal, deface, or disrupt other people. The same is true for the digital community. It is not enough to trust other members in the community for our own safety. In our own homes, we put locks on our doors and fire alarms in our houses to provide some level of protection. The same must be true for the digital security. We need to have virus protection, backups of data, and surge control of our equipment. As responsible citizens, we must protect our information from outside forces that might cause disruption or harm.


Respect, Educate and Protect (REPs)

The concept of REPs is a way to explain as well as teach the themes of digital citizenship.  Each area encompasses three topics which should be taught beginning at the kindergarten level.  When teaching these ideas the top theme from each group would be taught as one REP.  For example the first REP would be: Etiquette, Communication and Rights/Responsibilities.  This would continue through REPs two and three.  By doing this all students will have covered the topics and everyone would understand the basic ideas of digital citizenship.

Respect Your Self/Respect Others

- Etiquette

- Access

- Law

Educate Your Self/Connect with Others

- Communication

- Literacy

- Commerce

Protect Your Self/Protect Others

-Rights and Responsibility

- Safety (Security)

- Health and Welfare

www.cdigitalcitizenship.net/NINE ELEMENTS.html