University of York
- Start Date: 10 Jul, 2017
- 3 weeks
- Study Content: Videos
Become a more informed digital citizen and engage with debate about what is appropriate in the modern world of social media
Course Fee: Free
Certificate Cost: See Fees and Eligibility
Introduction
Introduction Video
Course Description
This course is made available through the eLearnAfrica and FutureLearn partnership.
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The ‘digital citizen’ is a person who has developed the skills and knowledge to effectively use the internet and digital technologies, who uses digital technologies and the internet in a responsible and appropriate way in order to engage and participate in society and politics.
We live in a world where the use of digital technology has become the norm. Effective participation in our society increasingly requires our ability to engage online. This isn’t just a question of technical ability – just as with our physical society, there are appropriate and responsible behaviours we need to acquire.
In this course, we’ll investigate and explore the concept of the digital society. We’ll look at how personal values and ethical judgments shape our online participation, and how new technologies can be applied to solve some of the problems we might face. Through all of this, we will develop your digital capabilities, and your awareness of the cultural and ethical implications of using digital technologies, and we’ll seek to establish the skills required to become an effective and successful digital citizen.
Week 1: Digital access
We will start by exploring the digital divide, considering barriers to accessing modern information and communications technologies. Learners will reflect on their approaches to finding information using digital technologies and how this would differ if they had restricted access. We will also question how limited access to digital technologies affects participation in society and how information seeking behaviours differ online.
Week 2: Digital identity and security
This week we will build on how we can make effective use of digital technologies to engage with others and share our views, looking at developing an online identity and the various platforms and tools available to us. We will hear from researchers at the University of York on their experiences of using social media and start to look at how digital technologies enable us to engage beyond the academic audience. We will also consider the risks of sharing personal information online and bigger issues of information security.
Week 3: Digital participation and ethics
Finally, we will look at the use of social media for political discussion and shaping public agendas. We will look at how digital tools can encourage engagement from harder-to-reach groups or non-traditional audiences, exploring both the success stories and the darker forces using this medium for illegal activities. We will also consider netiquette and the importance of open-mindedness and respect, issues of cyberbullying, and our social responsibilities in combating abuse and creating a positive online experience.
The notion of digital citizenship is ubiquitous, and this course therefore aims to be useful to a wide variety of online learners. This course is suitable for anyone who engages with social media platforms, those who use technologies to support their study, as well as graduates looking to maximise the impact of their digital footprint and avoid common mistakes which may make them unattractive to potential employers.
Certificate cost may vary. You will be redirected to the host page for cost and payment options.
University of York
The University of York combines the pursuit of academic excellence with a culture of inclusion, which encourages everyone – from a variety of backgrounds – to achieve their best. We are a high-performing, research-intensive Russell Group university, committed to providing an environment where great minds can thrive.
We support our students’ ambitions by offering opportunities to develop and grow, and to learn from the diverse skills and perspectives in our community. Through this approach, we create independent critical thinkers of the future who prosper in a global workplace.
York’s diverse community makes it an inspiring and exciting place to work. Our academics are world-leading in their field, undertaking research that has a global impact and is supported by an informal culture which fosters interdisciplinary collaboration. At York, students are taught by these researchers and benefit from their extensive knowledge and real-world experience.
Situated in the historic and cosmopolitan city of York, the University’s green and open campus is an excellent environment in which to live and to learn.
This institution is available on eLearnAfrica through partnership with FutureLearn.
COLLABORATION POLICY
By enrolling in a course on or through eLearnAfrica, you are joining a special worldwide community of learners. The aspiration of eLearnAfrica is to provide anyone with an internet connection access to courses from the best universities and institutions in the world and to provide our learners the best educational experience internet technology enables. You are a part of the community that will help eLearnAfrica achieve this goal. eLearnAfrica depends upon your motivation to learn the material and to do so with honesty and academic integrity. In order to participate in eLearnAfrica, you must agree to the Honor Code below and any additional terms specific to a class.
ELEARNAFRICA HONOR CODE PLEDGE
By enrolling in a course, program, or degree hosted on the eLearnAfrica App or Site, I agree that I will:
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Complete all tests and assignments on my own, unless collaboration on an assignment is explicitly permitted.
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Maintain only one user account and not let anyone else use my username and/or password.
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Not engage in any activity that would dishonestly improve my results, or improve or hurt the results of others.
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Not post answers to problems that are being used to assess student performance.
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Abide by any and all requirements of the eLearnAfrica Participants as may regard the expectations of civil or academic behavior or of community standards.
VIOLATIONS
If you are found in violation of the Terms and Conditions or Honor Code, you may be subject to one or more of the following actions:
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Receiving a zero or no credit for an assignment;
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Having any certificate earned in the course withheld or revoked;
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Being unenrolled from a course, learning program or degree program; or
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Termination of your use of the App and/or Site.
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Additional actions may be taken at the sole discretion of eLearnAfrica and eLearnAfrica course providers.
No refunds will be issued in the case of any corrective action for such violations.
Honor code violations will be determined at the sole discretion of eLearnAfrica, the Partners, or Members. You will be notified if a determination has been made that you have violated this honor code and you will be informed of the corresponding action to be taken as a result of the violation.
CHANGING THE HONOR CODE
Please note that we review and may make changes to this Honor Code from time to time. Any changes to this Honor Code will be effective immediately upon posting on this page, with an updated effective date. By accessing the App and/or Site after any changes have been made, you signify your agreement on a prospective basis to the modified Honor Code and any changes contained therein. Be sure to return to this page periodically to ensure familiarity with the most current version of this Honor Code.
Effective Date: September 22, 2016