Digital Citizenship

IT in Education

We use technology to revolutionize the way that we teach, our students learn, and our community interacts.

At Al-Bassam Schools, we build a strong foundation in the use and application of IT. We empower students and teachers to better engage with the world of knowledge at their fingertips, and to share and collaborate in the pursuit of fresh new thinking.

Workstations, laptops and iPads are integrated into the very fabric of our curriculum. Students are taught to work both collaboratively and independently, in and outside of school.

Digital Literacy is taught at all grade levels and equips students to effectively search, find, evaluate and utilize appropriate, relevant and authentic information. Our students also actively participate in a comprehensive Digital Citizenship program which fosters an understanding of the importance of individual responsibility in a vast virtual world. A team approach is taken, with teachers, counsellors, librarians, integrationists, parents and students working together to provide a cohesive voice.

We believe that technology is a tool that liberates critical and creative thinking, boosting sharing and communication across every facet of the learning experience.

The topic of digital citizenship is certainly gaining momentum around the world. Whether it is called digital citizenship, digital wellness or digital ethics the issues are the same; how should we act when we are online, and what should be taught to the next generation. Nowadays, there is a need to talk about responsible use of technology. There are many organizations and individuals that are working on this topic.

Digital Citizenship is a concept which helps teachers, technology leaders and parents to understand what students/children/technology users should know to use technology appropriately. Digital Citizenship is more than just a teaching tool; it is a way to prepare students/technology users for a society full of technology. Digital citizenship is the norms of appropriate, responsible technology use. Too often we are seeing students as well as adults misusing and abusing technology but not sure what to do. The issue is more than what the users do not know but what is considered appropriate technology usage.

Cross-Curricular Framework

Privacy & Security

Students learn strategies for managing their online information and keeping it secure from online risks such as identity thieves and phishing. They learn how to create strong passwords, how to avoid scams and schemes, and how to analyze privacy policies.

Digital Footprint & Reputation

Students learn to protect their own privacy and respect others’ privacy. Our digital world is permanent, and with each post, students are building a digital footprint. By encouraging students to self-reflect before they self-reveal, they will consider how what they share online can impact themselves and others.

Self-Image & Identity

These lessons are designed to help students explore their own digital lives, focusing on their online versus their offline identity. Students learn the benefits and risks of presenting themselves through different personas and the effects on their sense of self, their reputation, and their relationships.

Creative Credit & Copyright

Living in a “copy/paste” culture, students need to reflect on their responsibilities and rights as creators in the online spaces where they consume, create, and share information. From addressing plagiarism to piracy, students learn about copyright and fair use.

Relationships & Communication

Students reflect on how they can use intrapersonal and interpersonal skills to build and strengthen positive online communication and communities. They delve into the concept of digital citizenship and digital ethics, and they reflect on their online interactions.

Information Literacy

Information literacy includes the ability to identify, find, evaluate, and use information effectively. From effective search strategies to evaluation techniques, students learn how to evaluate the quality, credibility, and validity of websites, and give proper credit.

Cyber-bullying & Digital Drama

Students learn what to do if they are involved in a cyber-bullying situation. They explore the roles people play and how individual actions — both negative and positive — can impact their friends and broader communities. Students are encouraged to take the active role of upstander and build positive, supportive online communities.

Internet Safety

Students explore how the Internet offers an amazing way to collaborate with others worldwide, while staying safe through employing strategies such as distinguishing between inappropriate contact and posit