TeachersFirst's Digital Literacy Resources
Digital literacy, in the context of online media and resource sharing, refers to the ability to effectively navigate, evaluate, and create digital content online. It includes critically assessing the credibility of online information, understanding the implications of sharing personal data, and responsibly participating in digital communities. For educators and students alike, digital literacy involves not only consuming online resources but also curating and sharing collections of valuable materials. As the digital world continues to evolve, fostering these skills becomes increasingly crucial for informed citizenship and lifelong learning in the 21st century. Don’t miss our collections for Media Literacy and Digital Citizenship.

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Digital Literacy Teaching Resources - Google
Grades
2 to 12tag(s): digital citizenship (93), digital literacy (18), media literacy (113)
In the Classroom
Use a YouTube video from the Google Digital Literacy lessons on identifying misinformation. Then provide students with a mix of real and fake news articles, images, or social media posts and have them work in groups to analyze credibility, using fact-checking strategies from the lesson. After watching a lesson on online security, challenge students to evaluate and improve weak passwords. Create a Google Forms reviewed here quiz to test their understanding of password safety. Design a digital escape room using Google Forms where students solve challenges related to privacy settings, phishing scams, and digital etiquette to "unlock" the next clue.What Does Digital Literacy Really Look Like? - Nearpod
Grades
K to 12tag(s): blogs (73), cyberbullying (44), digital citizenship (93), digital literacy (18), media literacy (113)
In the Classroom
Before starting a lesson, create a scavenger hunt where students find examples of positive and negative digital behavior, such as a well-cited article vs. fake news or a respectful comment vs. cyberbullying. Use Nearpod reviewed here to include interactive features (like polls and collaborative boards) to discuss their findings. Use a Nearpod Time to Climb activity or a quiz to present real-life digital dilemmas (ex,: "A friend shares their password with you--what do you do?"). Have students use Nearpod's Draw It feature or a tool like Canva reviewed here to design an infographic on online safety, cyberbullying, or digital footprints.Digital Matters: Free Digital Literacy Lessons - Internet Matters
Grades
4 to 8tag(s): cyberbullying (44), digital literacy (18), gamification (86), internet safety (116)
In the Classroom
Challenge students to create a short public service announcement (PSA) (video, poster, or podcast) about an online safety topic. Have them use digital resources such as moovly reviewed here, Canva Edu reviewed here, or Spotify for Podcasters (previously Anchor) reviewed here. Have students conduct a mock investigation of an imaginary person's digital footprint and use clues (ex., fake social media posts, search history) to assess potential risks and discuss best practices for online privacy. Use the platform's built-in case studies and discussion prompts to analyze in small groups.Digital Literacy - PBS LearningMedia
Grades
K to 12tag(s): digital literacy (18), internet safety (116), media literacy (113), STEM (312)
In the Classroom
Students can explore the concept of a digital footprint by searching for themselves (or a fictional character) online and reflecting on what their online presence says about them. They can discuss strategies for managing their digital identity and create an infographic using Canva Infographic Creator reviewed here on responsible online behavior. In small groups, students can act out different scenarios involving cyberbullying, online conflict, or digital misunderstandings. Afterward, they can discuss appropriate ways to respond, report, and prevent negative online interactions. Students can create a short video using Animoto reviewed here or Powtoon reviewed here promoting safe online habits, such as password security, digital etiquette, or protecting personal information. They can present their projects to the class or school community.3 Fast, Free Lesson Plans to Fight Fake News - The Cool Cat Teacher
Grades
2 to 12tag(s): character education (81), digital citizenship (93), digital literacy (18)
In the Classroom
Students can create a Breaking News Bellringer, Video News Story, and Share or Not to Share post by using Canva Edu, reviewed here. Students can create a public service announcement about fake news using Free Screen Recorder Online, reviewed here. Finally, students can use Padlet, reviewed here to share their ideas for fake news stories.CTRL-F's Fact-Checking Tools -- Video 2: Looking up Claims and Website Owners - CTRL-F's Fact-Checking Tools -- Video 2: Looking up Claims and W
Grades
4 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): digital citizenship (93), digital literacy (18)
In the Classroom
Students can use the tips and tricks to evaluate websites. They can use Padlet, reviewed here to share the websites and evaluation. Students can use Adobe Podcast reviewed here to create public service announcements about the dangers of fake websites. Students can use Figma, reviewed here to compare and contrast websites.ISTE Digital Citizenship Lessons - ISTE
Grades
K to 12tag(s): digital citizenship (93), internet safety (116)
In the Classroom
For younger students, you could present one lesson every couple of weeks, reviewing the previous lesson first. For older students, you might consider teaching these lessons as a unit at the beginning of the year to set the tone and expectations in your classroom for using the Internet.3 Great Lesson Plans on Copyright - Common Sense and Bronwyn H.
Grades
K to 8tag(s): copyright (43), digital citizenship (93), STEM (312)
In the Classroom
Include the shared lessons and activities as part of your digital citizenship curriculum. Use the provided handouts to guide students toward extended learning and discussion of proper digital citizenship practices. For example, second-grade students complete a Digital Citizens Report handout, and as an extension, ask students to create a list of credits for some of their commonly used online sites such as PBS Kids Reading Games, reviewed here or Scratch, reviewed here.Students as Creators: Exploring Copyright - ReadWriteThink and Cassandra Love
Grades
6 to 8tag(s): copyright (43), digital citizenship (93), plagiarism (34)
In the Classroom
The lessons are designed to be co-planned and co-taught by a classroom teacher and school media specialist. If this isn't possible in your current situation, consider asking another classroom teacher to collaborate with you on teaching this unit, or break the lessons into smaller pieces and prepare portions of the lesson in your school library as needed. If you cannot teach all of the lessons, review and save the printouts for use by students throughout the year to determine how to address copyright issues with classroom projects. Save copies of the printouts for students to access on your LMS or class website.Cyber Academy - Trend Micro
Grades
3 to 5tag(s): cyberbullying (44), digital citizenship (93), internet safety (116)
In the Classroom
Include these lessons as part of your internet safety activities by adding them as a computer center activity or a flipped or blended learning activity. Consider adding a new lesson weekly or monthly as part of your year-long discussions on becoming a safe digital citizen. Enhance the video information using an interactive tool such as Timelinely, reviewed here, to add comments, insert supporting media, or links to additional information. Ask students to create short videos sharing their learning, then add them to a class book made with Book Creator, reviewed here. As you complete each lesson, add new videos to create a reference book that includes all the material learned.Filter Bubble Trouble - Common Sense Education
Grades
9 to 12tag(s): digital citizenship (93), internet safety (116), social and emotional learning (110), social media (50)
In the Classroom
Bookmark and save this lesson with other social media and digital citizenship lessons. Engage students in this lesson by assigning a Gravity activity, reviewed here as a conversation starter. A day or two before your lesson, share a link to a Threadit with a conversation prompt using one of the provided prompts that ask students to discuss the concept of living in a bubble. As students continue their discussion on filter bubbles and view the linked video, enhance learning through using Escape Rooms that challenge students to use their knowledge to complete tasks within the Escape Room. Use Room Escape Maker, reviewed here to create and share your Escape Room activity. Extend student learning by asking students to share Internet safety and digital citizenship tips school-wide. For example, ask students to create a monthly podcast using Acast, reviewed here sharing advice on using social media responsibly.My Social Media Life - Common Sense Education
Grades
6 to 9tag(s): digital citizenship (93), social and emotional learning (110), social media (50)
In the Classroom
Bookmark and save this lesson plan for use with lessons on media literacy, social media, or social-emotional learning. Engage students by creating visual mindmaps or flow charts using Coggle, reviewed here. For example, create a mind map with different social platforms and ask students to share the pros and cons of using each tool. Use a flow chart to share suggestions on how to address common issues that occur through the use of social media and relationships. As a final activity, ask students to create interesting video presentations using Typito, reviewed here. Typito's drag and drop interface includes free templates, drag and drop features, and the ability to personalize and share content easily.Google Digital Literacy & Citizenship Curriculum - Google and iKeepSafe
Grades
5 to 9tag(s): character education (81), digital citizenship (93)
In the Classroom
Incorporate the videos and lessons into your current digital literacy curriculum as needed, or use them as a stand-alone curriculum to address digital literacy lessons in your classroom. Engage students as you begin lessons using an interactive whiteboard such as IdeaBoardz, reviewed here, to create a digital KWL class response instead of using the printable KWL handout included in the course. Enhance instruction when using the shared videos using playposit, reviewed here, to create an interactive learning environment that places comments, questions, surveys, and polls directly onto the video. Extend learning by asking students to become the instructor using a video conversation platform such as Threadit, reviewed here. For example, ask students to use the tutorial template to create lessons to share with younger students on different aspects of digital literacy. The template is customizable and includes a step-by-step outline for creating a video tutorial featuring one or more speakers.Digital Citizenship Progression Chart - Mike Ribble
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): character education (81), digital citizenship (93)
In the Classroom
Scroll to the bottom of the page with the chart to download the updated copy of the progression chart to view and understand the general guidelines for teaching digital citizenship across all grade levels. Some themes include ideas for demonstration of learning and teaching ideas. Build upon this spreadsheet by adding additional activities and resources that fit into your curriculum. Use this document as a professional development activity to help all staff understand the progression of skills across grade levels, then break it down into smaller pieces by grade levels. Using the grade-level specific portions, work together with peers to find and share resources that teach and reinforce the appropriate concepts. Consider using an collaborative tool such as ClickUp, reviewed here, to organize your work with your peers. Use ClickUp to create a schedule, to-do lists, share documents, and more. Share your completed list of resources and grade-level progressions on a spreadsheet similar to the progression chart when finished.Digital Citizenship: Technological Literacy - PBS Learning Media
Grades
K to 12tag(s): digital citizenship (93), internet safety (116), journalism (74), social media (50)
In the Classroom
Take advantage of the many videos and resources found on this site to include with your digital citizenship lessons. Engage students in learning about digital citizenship using playposit, reviewed here, to add notes, questions, and student-teacher interactions to any video. Enhance the learning experience by including these videos and your other resources into a digital lesson using Curipod, reviewed here. Extend learning by asking students to share their learning using different technology tools. For example, have some students create a podcast using Buzzsprout, reviewed here, while others create and share video presentations made with Animoto, reviewed here.OK2Ask: Social Media Literacy: Purposeful Practice in Every Classroom - TeachersFirst
Grades
1 to 12As educators, we...more
As educators, we can prepare every child to be influential by helping them understand how to leverage the power of social media. While students intuitively understand the mechanics of social media platforms, using them in a responsible, purposeful way to build influence is not instinctual and must be taught and practiced. Learn to develop your students' social media savvy by using practice spaces focused on digital citizenship, critical thinking, persuasion, and communication skills. Explore online and offline strategies and tools to create safe, authentic learning experiences for students in grades 2-12 in any content area. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Learn the importance of responsible social media use by students; 2. Understand the purpose of using social media practice spaces as part of regular instruction; and 3. Explore both paper-based and digital practice spaces that can be used with students. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): digital citizenship (93), professional development (393), social media (50), student-centered (8)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Find additional information and links to tools at the session resource page. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Healthy Digital Citizens: Helping Kids Stay Active & Safe in the Internet Age - Tennis Department
Grades
K to 12tag(s): cyberbullying (44), digital citizenship (93), internet safety (116)
In the Classroom
Include this resource with your other information for use when teaching online safety and digital citizenship. Share the information with parents on your class website or through email. Use the format of this resource to your advantage by sharing the different topics bi-weekly. Embed activities found on this site on ClassTools, reviewed here. Encourage student communication with parents as you share the topics. For example, the first topic is Open Communication. Use the Drag and Drop Quiz Generator to create a quiz for parents and students to take together based upon the communication suggestions found in the article. Upon completion of the quiz, use ClassTools to create a certificate to acknowledge the achievement.Social Media Test Drive - Cornell University and the Cornell Research Foundation, Inc
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): character education (81), cyberbullying (44), digital citizenship (93), social media (50)
In the Classroom
Share these modules for students to complete during any lessons on Internet safety. Ask students to contribute to a collaborative document sharing examples they have seen of cyberbullying or deceptive news practice. Replace pencil and paper notetaking by sharing an online tool such as Webnote, reviewed here, for students to use to take notes on any website. When finished, have them share their notes using the URL created for use in classroom discussions. Reinforce online safety concepts through gameplay using Baamboozle, reviewed here. Enhance student learning by asking students to create a game in Baamboozle for their peers to play to identify best practices in creating a safe online presence. After completing your digital safety unit, modify classroom technology use and extend learning by asking students to create explainer videos using FlexClip, reviewed here, with suggestions on how to identify fake news, how to create a positive digital footprint or ways to support peers when faced with cyberbullying. Share student videos on your class website and with younger students.DigCitCommit - ISTE
Grades
K to 12tag(s): digital citizenship (93), internet safety (116)
In the Classroom
Bookmark this site to use as a resource as you teach about digital citizenship. Learn about the five competencies, then use them as a basis for instruction. Encourage students to become engaged in the conversation by sharing their understanding of different topics. For example, as you teach about the concept of being aware, use a concept mapping resource like mindmaps, reviewed here, for students to visualize and share ideas related to being aware of online actions. As you continue in your lessons of awareness, enhance student learning by incorporating teaching strategies to encourage students to personalize learning experiences through the use of journals or blogs. edublogs, reviewed here, is an excellent blogging tool that provides a safe resource for student writing in addition to providing you the ability to moderate content and privacy settings. As students develop an understanding of each competency, encourage them to continue learning and applying the lessons to their everyday use of online resources. Have groups of students become experts in different competencies and share their knowledge with younger students through the creation of explainer videos using Clipchamp, reviewed here, podcasts using Podcast Adobe, reviewed here, or digital books created with Book Creator, reviewed here.Digital Civics Toolkit - MacArthur Research Network
Grades
8 to 12tag(s): communities (38), cross cultural understanding (178), digital citizenship (93), journalism (74)