Benchmark 1
An institutional ethos that incorporates digital ethics and citizenship at all levels
What would this ideally look like?
The institution has a statement related to building digital citizenship as part of their mission statement (or similar document), which links to the wider ethos of the institution.
Self-assessment descriptors
Level 0 (Absent):
No clear strategy or guiding principles for Digital Citizenship Education (DCE) are established. DCE is not integrated into the curriculum or institutional ethos, leading to reactive or ad-hoc responses to digital issues.
Level 1 (Emerging):
Some recognition of the need for a DCE strategy, but the approach is primarily reactionary. DCE's role in education outcomes is minimally considered, with basic policies or guidelines in place. DCE integration is limited to isolated efforts by individual departments or staff members.
Level 2 (Developing):
A foundational strategy for DCE is in place, with impact on educational outcomes acknowledged at an institutional level. There are some criteria and initial steps for implementing DCE, and efforts to integrate it into both academic and pastoral frameworks are emerging, though sustainability and accountability are limited.
Level 3 (Proficient):
A comprehensive DCE strategy is actively implemented, with clear goals, long-term plans, and accountability measures. DCE is recognised as integral to improving educational outcomes, and is consistently integrated across academic and pastoral frameworks. Continuous improvement is evident, with regular assessments to ensure the strategy remains relevant and effective.
Level 4 (Advanced):
DCE is fully embedded within the institution’s ethos and strategy, and recognised as critical to educational success and quality outcomes. The strategy includes long-term sustainability, clear criteria for measuring impact, and strong accountability structures. DCE principles are seamlessly integrated into all areas, from classroom learning to leadership decisions, and are reflected in the institution's core values
Reflective questions to guide decision making
- What core values should guide our digital citizenship education?
- How does DCE align with our institutional mission, vision, and educational goals?
- In what ways can digital citizenship support both academic and pastoral development?
- How can we ensure that DCE principles are sustainable and adaptable to emerging digital challenges, including the integration of AI, uses of big data?
- What benchmarks or criteria will we use to evaluate our success in instilling an institutional culture of digital citizenship?
Practical steps
Low resource
Assign a senior leader to oversee digital citizenship strategy and compliance.
Conduct annual reviews of digital values and their integration into school culture.
High resource
Develop a whole-school digital citizenship charter through community consultation.
Provide comprehensive training for all staff on institutional digital values and policies.