Digital citizenship and the role of educational process in its accomplishment: Analytical Study

Transcription

1 Research Article Special Issue Digital citizenship and the role of educational process in its accomplishment: Analytical Study Abdullah Ahmed Algarni Social Sciences Faculty, Um Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia Published online: 5 March 2018 Abstract The world recently is encountering huge and potential challenges as an outcome of educational openness enforced by globalization and cyber communication. Thus, we have to review our raising approach of the generation and guiding them for proper conduct and to safeguard them from the momentum of cyber communication and various streams and trends, which could find the youth as easy prey. These trends could weaken the youth patriotism, and consequently damage their citizenship, as well as making a rift between us. The main dilemma that we and the community institutions face is how raise the citizen to be a proper component of the society and to make him aware of his responsibilities and duties towards his country and to how to take part in the country's development and progress. As technology and communications progress have reached its zenith, it is necessary to set up certain criteria and norms in dealing with such progress. Digital citizenship term has been emerged recently which could provide us with some sort of protection against the risks of technology progress, therefore, by applying digital citizenship, we could overcome the negatives of technology and namely the internet. The internet is not merely a technology, but also it is a culture that all digital users should have acquired and aware of. Considering above interpretation, the purpose of this study is to analyze and research for the concept of digital citizenship, as well as to identify its components and the role of educational process in its accomplishment. This study applied the analytical and descriptive approach according to SWOT analysis, which outlines the strength and weakness, challenges, and opportunities in accomplishment of educational process for the concept of digital citizenship. There has been basic several results emerged, namely the identification of digital conception as an appropriate and responsible manner to use internet, social media networks, technologies and modern programming, i.e. digital citizenship could provide an individual with communication skills, and an proper digital conduct and use of internet and its applications that accomplish users' needs and requirements provided that it does not violate customs and traditions of the society and within the legal use of this technology. The study also have achieved its nine components that related to digital access, e-commerce, cyber telecom, digital communication, code of digital conduct, digital law and regulations, digital rights and responsibilities, digital health and wellness. The study reached a proposal for educational process for accomplishment of digital citizenship. Keywords-Digital citizenship, Network Society, Virtual Society, educational process, Digital citizenship components I. I N T R O D U C T I O N The world is currently witnessing huge breakthrough in digital information technology, where technology has become potential part of our life as it enhance and facilitates our daily life. The huge technology and information advancement imply several positives and negatives for individual and the community. The use of internet by the people has created social communities or groups who have free and open discussions and arguments on cyber communication, i.e. creating virtual gathering and societies exchanging their feelings and aspirations on line [1]. The "Network Society" is a new cyber inhabited by groups and could hold transactions and set up of institutions, museums, sales outlets and they can hold alliances, conferences, and transmission of information quickly. Despite it is assimilation of real society, nonetheless, it has different topography, laws and criteria. There is no central authority governed by certain" [2]. The network society is composed of social networks that make society form depends on individuals who represent a new societies transformations [3]. Moreover, this could make further expansion of the virtual society through active participation of individuals, i.e. interaction, newsletter, social communication, exchange of information and knowledge as well as, concluding commercial transactions in various fields. The network society help promote knowledge and minimize cost of services [4]. The world recently facing potential challenges posed by globalization, cyber technology and educational openness. The digital citizenship is some sort of culture should be available to all digital users. It is an interaction between individual with others through using of computers, and internet network, i.e. using communication tools, blogs, domains and various types of social networks [5]. The individuals and technology users could apply the technology in a proper way and according to ethical criteria with observance to social values and legal control for each society. This legal control is set to curb the negatives of the technology on the society. Considering the need of society to deal with the current transformations and progress in technology, we should make use of such technology and adapt it to comply with positive values of the society, namely the values of patriotism and true citizenship. We may curb the negatives of technology and its negative effect on the society. This could be done by applying the concepts and values of digital citizenship that creates educated and responsible society. Therefore, this study identifying the doi: J Fundam Appl Sci. 2018, 10(4S), 1-6 1

2 conception of digital citizenship and identifying the role of educational process in achieving this citizenship. II. RELATED STUDIES We have come across previous studies related to digital citizenship and its features as well as the obstacles that prevent digital citizenship in various fields and educational process in particular. The current study could have come across on various studies and researches that related to main research of digital citizenship and the role of educational process in accomplishment of the digital citizenship. The selection of the digital citizenship is quite potential in modern day and namely in the age of technology. Digital citizenship is the interaction of individual with others by the use of digital devices like computers, networks, , blogs and social media networks [5]. According to Australian approach, digital citizenship means to provide student with set of skills of using blogs, tweeter, Facebook, and some potential and wellknown websites and domains [6]. This citizenship is to qualify individual to be proper citizenship in the society and to allow student to have positive interaction on the internet. The objectives of education process should create proper and responsible citizen and this is the purpose of this study by using and applying SWOT on seven Arabic and foreign scientific studies related to the current subject matter. We are going to come across previous studies and their key conclusions: Study [7] has presented conception for digital citizenship and this study has identified factors that provide framework for education of digital citizenship as well as, set the best use of applying technology in each school, home and society. The study has specified key nine elements, namely the digital access i.e. call for equal digital rights accomplishment in order to achieve digital citizenship, and digital conducts, i.e. codes and policies for network society. It is not enough, as we need to educate all on the proper conduct on the internet, digital law, i.e. users should know that attach, theft, destroy identity or properties of others considered a crime. It is quite useful for all to know that they have digital rights, namely the right of privacy and freedom of expression. Digital safety and security i.e. digital citizens should be aware of how to protect their information from any foreign intervention, where those intruders could damage their properties. Digital health and wellness i.e. this manifested in repeated exhaustion or psychological disorders like internet addiction, where users should be aware of the health risks of technology. Study [8] has discussed the appropriate use of technology in home and school as well as, the desperate need to educate our students and their parents to be responsible users of technology, considering the increase of network society, i.e. the integration course that provide a process and procedures for students use of technology. This could create awareness for students on what they are doing, promoting their understanding, and help teachers and parents how to argue issues related to digital citizenship, especially when discussion with children, students and other users of technology. This course includes four stages; First, awareness through participation of students to be aware of technology. This stage starts with what is appropriate and in appropriate for using various digital technology. Second, the guidance of practice i.e. to provide student with opportunity to use technology at school. Students could make verifications, discovery and risk taking under the supervision of teacher. Third, stereotyping i.e. this could be manifested when teachers set up plans for the use of proper technology at school, home and society. This would be positive effort for digital citizenship seekers. Fourth, feedback and analysis stage, i.e. the effective criticism that provides student on why they have to learn using technology applications. Study [9] looks to identify the inappropriate use of internet by children, as well as identifying the physical risks, namely emotional s and psychological trauma, and legal consequences emerged from misuse conduct of using internet. Study has concluded that children and teens have to be aware of the ethical and legal responsibility of using information on the internet and the teachers and librarians have to make students aware of the destructive and negative conduct over the internet and to take wise options when take to the digital world. Study [10] emphasizes that students have to be digital citizens in the best manner. Study has defined digital citizenship as a broad combination of conducts with various levels of risks and possible negative consequences. In addition, study defined it instruments of median officials, students, parents and teachers to qualify children on how to use the internet recently. The purpose for this effort is to make student as a citizen in the virtual society able to learn, work, purchase, sell and interact with others as if he practicing his daily life on the conventional society. Study also proposed to teach children on how to learn technology in earlier stage. Therefore, children learn technology prior to going to school and parents have to coach them on the digital ethics of using technology and internet. Study [11] has identified several and different types of reading and writing styles related to digital citizenship. The study clarified the relationship between these types and the current conducts of digital citizenship in technological point of view. It has demonstrated that the new reading and writing could forge the digital nationality or citizenship that includes multiple activities and interaction on the web, identifying the rights of citizenship, technological potentials, social networks, values and criteria and knowledge. Study concludes that there is digital gap, namely the crisis of the interaction between the new reading and writing approach and digital citizenship. Digital identity is the highest level of digital citizenship and reading and writing could interact with this conception so that the technology could be better method to develop digital identity and social life. The digital citizenship entails support for general policies and individual. Study [12] has focused on developing effective criterion for digital citizenship. This criterion has been set up after reviewing the nine features and elements of the digital citizenship at schools with collaboration of experts. The nine features criterion and 34 idioms was applied on 229 male and female students at the university level for teaching elementary curriculum, preschool learning program, Turkish language learning and program of teaching ethics and religion at Sakarya university in Turkey for academic year To verify the credibility of the criterion, Cronbach's Alpha value was calculated at 0.85 which reveals that it has high credibility. Exploratory Factor Analysis has been applied and the results were high and fair. The nine factors were 70%.178 % compared to total contrast. The total contrast and factor analysis show that the J Fundam Appl Sci. 2018, 10(4S), 1-6 2

3 criterion succeeded in reflecting the level of digital citizenship. Therefore, the criterion is confirmed to be used for digital citizenship and could be applied in future studies. Study [13] has identified the concept of digital citizenship and its applications in learning curriculum through reviewing literature related to digital citizenship. To accomplish this goal, this study has identified the concept of digital citizenship and its components as well as, the basics which the educators depend on developing digital citizenship. Study realized that there is desperate need to qualify generation for digital citizenship. The digital citizenship process pass through basic stages, starting with developing practice, awareness and communication skills. Study also has identified the criteria of digital citizenship to include content, use, communication skills, programing and operations criteria, which include text structure, reading and writing. The study also identified and need for set up of operations criteria for educators and practitioners of teaching and learning. The definition of digital citizenship according to previous studies: Digital citizenship was defined some sort of lifestyle required by each individual at the recent times and it is the ideal method for using internet, social media, technologies, and modern programing. This use should be reasonable to comply with digital citizenship criteria. Digital citizenship could provide individuals with communication and behavioral skills for using internet according to values and traditions and not violate the law and regulations. III. PROBLEM STATEMENT The world recently is undergoing swift changes in technology and information technology. The world has become a universal village in which information could be transferred to the worldwide in a minute. No doubt, these changes could directly affect individuals and institutions that form the society. The society has accepted these changes and adapted itself with to benefit from the advantages of technology. The number of internet users worldwide estimated 3.5 billion of people and this represents 47% of world population [4]. "The invention of the internet as communication process has created social platform for individuals to communicate with each other" [15]. There has been various uses of internet, reflecting content, media coverage, guidance, information, personal skills, self-assurance, discovery, make use of others experiments, and social communication [16]. The huge number of internet users reflects that each user has his own conduct, which cope with his community and according to legal use of technology. This study help increase one's knowledge and curiosity through the concept of digital citizenship as confirmed by the researcher in this study. Therefore, this study seek to identify the role of educational process in accomplishment of digital citizenship. The study problem manifested in identifying the concept of digital citizenship and its components and the role of educational process in archiving digital citizenship. There has been some obstacles and negatives that curb the understanding the components of digital citizenship. The study shed light on digital citizenship though the following questions: 1. What is the conception of digital citizenship? 2. What is the components of digital citizenship? 3. What is the role of educational process in achieving digital citizenship? IV. STUDY METHODOLOGY This study has applied analytical and descriptive approach in order to understand the concept of digital citizenship and its main components in clear details and the role of educational process in accomplishment of digital citizenship. This could put a discipline for using technology and internet by the users who should abide by legal and proper use of the intent. The study applied SWOT analysis, which identifies the weakness and strength points, opportunities, threats in the subject matter of this study. Study Tools: To achieve the results of this study, the researcher has conducted the following procedures: - Reviewing and analyzing previous studies on digital citizenship, data collection related to digital citizenship according to the research literature and identifying basic components and clarifying the role of education process in achieving digital citizenship. - The use of SWOT analysis, namely Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. The identifying of results for the digital citizenship concept and the role of educational process in accomplishment it, is basically conducted through analyzing the internal environment, i.e. weak and strength points, as well as, analyzing external environment i.e. opportunities and threats. Through that analysis, we can analyze the internal environment i.e. to search and understanding the conception of digital citizenship and the role of educational process in achieving this citizenship. This can be done through analyzing strength points in making the educational process as success or failure. This can lead to set up a concept of digital citizenship. Weak points affect the role of educational process in achieving the concept of digital citizenship. Therefore, we have to study and analyze the weak points and challenges that curb demonstrating this conception. V. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION OF THE STYDY On the light of the previous studies and considering the importance of the current study subject matter, the study has the key following results: A. Results of the first question: "What is the conception of Digital Citizenship?" The answer to this question needs several chapters to interpret the digital citizenship concept, which related to the use of internet applications as this technology could help people in their daily life. On the light of previous studies, we can define the digital citizenship as a form or lifestyle of each individual in recent times and this the ideal method for using internet, social networks, technologies, modern programing have to be conducted in responsible and legal manner by users. Therefore, digital citizenship provide individual with skills of communications and interaction on the web, provided that this use does not violate laws, customs and traditions of the community. The code of conduct should be observed when an individual log on the internet, i.e. interact, sell, purchase, communicate with J Fundam Appl Sci. 2018, 10(4S), 1-6 3

4 virtual society. The digital citizen is the one who use internet in effective, responsible and legal way and observing the ethical code of conduct. B. Results of second question: "What is the components of digital citizenship?" We may answer the question by indicating the list presented by the researchers [7] for the components of digital citizenship, which includes the following nine components (Fig.I): First Component: The digital access i.e. manifested in the full participation on the internet of the network society. Each individual could take part fully on the internet properly and without restrictions. Second Component: Digital commerce is selling and buying on the internet by individuals who might not know or aware of how to use it carefully and they could be a prey for fraudsters. Third Component: Digital Access of internet for exchanging information. This should be done in accurate and legal way to avoid any legal default. Fourth Component: The digital culture i.e. the ability of using digital technology and how to use its applications safely. Fifth Component: The code of conduct for using internet. Sixth Component: The digital law, which manifested rights and legal restrictions that govern use of internet by individuals. Seventh Component: The digital rights and responsibilities that govern the use of internet by individuals of the digital society. Eighth Component: The digital health and wellness. i.e. the elements of physical and psychological status of internet users. This meant to keep users away from any physical or psychological damages. Ninth Component: The digital security, which manifested in the precautions each user should be aware to secure himself and to the security of the network. Fig. I: Illustration for the Citizenship Components [7] C. Results of the Third Question: "What is the role of Educational Process in achieving Digital Citizenship?" As digital citizenship concept referring to a lifestyle each individual in current time is using, digital citizenship could be the most optimal way of using internet, social networks, and modern programing. Such use of this technology must be conducted in proper and responsible manner. The concept of Digital citizenship is potential relationship to education and learning. This can help teachers, educators and parents know how to use technology. Therefore, Digital citizenship is more than just learning objective, but it has various objectives to quality students in the network or virtual society and this can help students to participate effectively in the service of the country. Promoting Digital citizenship culture at home and school has become potential objective recently. Our schools and universities should promote digital projects in collaboration with community and with the mass media to have digital society and to cope with the requirements of the universal village theme and break the barriers among people. The realization of digital citizenship conception might pause challenge for educators, researchers and experts of social and psychological area. Community institutions are responsible to promote digital citizenship and educational process should exert maximum efforts to achieve digital citizenship through applying the following conducts: Teaching children at earlier stage, on how to use digital technology. Parents is ethically responsible on coaching children on digital technology. Parents have to minimize use of technology by children. To specify time for using technological devices by children, i.e. computers, laptops, tablet etc... To train teachers on the proper and healthier setting while using gadgets. To provide accurate digital content related to various learning areas. To grant students with opportunity of using technology at school. This creates proper environment enable students to discover and take risk responsibility under supervision of teachers. Allow students to learn and share technology with assistance of teachers. Teachers may coach students on what is appropriate and inappropriate. Teaching technology and its various applications and how to make use of the technology Teaching students on how to share and communicate correct and accurate information on social media networks. Teaching students to observe wise options on the internet. To teach students on how to verify and make sure of information and its various sources on the web To recruit technology teachers on applications of the internet in order to encourage students develop their skills on the internet. To guide students not to misuse internet and reflecting damage to individuals, governmental and private institutions. J Fundam Appl Sci. 2018, 10(4S), 1-6 4

5 To teach students on how to make notice or alarm of any damage they might face, a threat, blackmail or harassment. Teachers have to set up plans for using internet at schools and parents at home should be responsible to coach children on how to use the internet positively and to be digital citizens. D. SWOT Analysis: The key strength and weakness points, threats and opportunities of digital citizenship and the role of educational process in achieving digital citizenship. TABLE 1: SWOT ANALAYSE Strength Weak Threats Opportunities To provide and allow access to the internet for all. Growing desire of students to use technology in daily life Weak technical potentials of teachers and parents. Weak technical devices and equipment at technical schools Physical and psychological effect, like threat blackmail harassment and cyber bullying. The gap of digital content in Arabic Int'l transfer of the network society and e-commerce. Supporting government policy for the Saudi's Vision 2030 and transfer into network society The study indicates that results shown in Table 1. above consistent with the role of educational process in achieving digital citizenship. It demonstrates the strength points of using and providing internet to all individuals of society. "The number of internet users in Saudi Arabia is 22.4 million user equal to 70.4% of total population of the country" [17]. This justifies students desperate need and push forward to transfer to the use of internet in their daily life. "These students are the future digital generation born in digital era and favor technology i.e. computer, internet and mobile phones have become part of their life" [18]. Weakness points demonstrate weakness in the technological potentials of some teachers and parents as "those might not born in this era of digital growth or might not inclined to technology" [18]. The weak devices and equipment at schools contribute to weak status of using technology. Some schools not having access to the internet and some of them have no computers and few computers are available not enough for all students. There are physical and psychological effects on students manifested in threats, blackmail, harassment and cyber bullying. There is gap in the Arabic content i.e. there is a challenge in modifying and improving the English content. Students usually interested to find a potential pioneer or an example to follow, namely teachers and pare digital citizenship and this a challenge for students to understand digital citizenship concept and its components and to understand the role of education in achieving. Therefore, we have to cope with strength points to transfer into the digital society and e-commerce and there should be support to comply with the Saudi's Vision 2030 for transfer to e-government. "The offered electronic services will be expanded to cover geographical, health and educational services and support use of e-cloud, data sharing, human resources system and governance of e- services "[19]. Study results have emphasized the importance of the concept of digital citizenship and identifying its components and the role of education in achieving digital citizenship. VI. CONCLUSION, RECOMMENDAITON AND FUTURE WORKS The study has identified the concept of digital citizenship for optimal use of internet, social networks and modern programing. This use of internet and technology have to be legal and responsible. Therefore, digital citizenship prepare and quality individuals with technical skills on how to deal and use internet to get information and benefits of digital services. This use of the internet have to comply with norms, ethics and traditions of society. Internet use and digital culture provide users with legal and ethical criteria. The code of conduct including rights, digital security and responsibilities of using the internet. The education process could play influential role promoting digital citizenship. It is quite necessary to coach children on how to use internet at earlier stage. Parents are basically responsible to teach children the ethics of using technology and the internet and to shorten time of using for example computers, Tablet and mobile phones etc. teachers should have training on how to use internet and on the right setting while using the internet by students. There is need to provide digital content on various areas of learning and help promote discovery, verification of correct information and undertaking risks under supervision of teachers. Student should learn how to share information on the social networks and to wisely interact with others on line and evaluate resources on network society. Users should not pose a threat or reflect damage on the other individuals, private and governmental institutions. On line learning and education is beneficial for students interaction and developing their skills and this could be assisted by parents to the children at home to promote digital citizenship concept. Study recommends to conduct further studies and researches in future on the digital citizenship concept and its dimensions or components in order to generalize results for education process. Also it recommends to participate in setting up integrated program to promote the conception of digital citizenship, as well as to provide schools with technical equipment that qualify individuals of society to highly participate in digital citizenship. REFERENCE [ 1] Rheingold, Howard., The Virtual Community: Homesteading on the Electronic Frontier. Reading, Massachusetts: Addison-Wesley., 1993 [ 2] Nabil, Ali, The challenges of the information age. 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