Teaching digital citizenship to students is crucial because information is transmitted digitally and becomes more and more accessible in this era of technology. Not merely students, all people who are using the internet should be aware of the importance. Particularly, students must learn how to identify the truth of the information, protect their private data and to be knowledgeable about intellectual property. If students are not educated on the importance of digital citizenship, it could lead to irreparable damage such as online scam, internet bully, and plagiarism. Students, in their formative years, are particularly vulnerable.Their lack of awareness regarding privacy boundaries can lead to the oversharing of personal information, potentially compromising their safety and future prospects. 

 

To teach students about plagiarism, I would start by showing them examples without any prior explanation. These could be works like games, music, articles, or artwork. I would then reveal that these are copies of original creations.  This will prompt them to consider how they might feel if their work was copied. Next, I would shift to more relevant examples for them, such as plagiarized papers or homework. We can then discuss the real-world consequences of plagiarism.  It's also important to have them reflect on how they would feel if someone copied their work without permission. Following this, I would demonstrate how to paraphrase a sentence by rephrasing it with different words while maintaining the original meaning. Additionally, I would provide them with tools for proper citation. Furthermore, I would design an activity that allows students to showcase their learning outcomes. This activity should provide opportunities to demonstrate their knowledge without resorting to cheating or copying.

 

Finally, I would dedicate a session to discussing how to transform ideas learned from others.  The goal is to encourage them to create their own original work in the future. This approach not only helps them avoid plagiarism but also enhances their sense of self-worth.