About
In October 2015, co-founders, Marialice B.F.X. Curran and David R. Polgar organized the inaugural national Digital Citizenship Summit. The digcitsummit happened as a result of a tweet that brought Curran and Polgar together, Pleased to Tweet You. More information can be found at the digcitsummit website: http://www.digcitsummit.com
The Digital Citizenship Summit is dedicated to providing resources to help children and teens use social media and technology to promote positive and practical solutions towards SAFE, SAVVY and ETHICAL technology use. Our mission to help students to think and act at a local, global and digital level simultaneously. In order to accomplish this, we bring ALL stakeholders to the table. Currently, the various stakeholder are working separately in their own silos. What makes the Digital Citizenship Summit so unique is that it brings multiple voices and perspectives together with a central focus on what we need to encourage not just avoid. Our message is positive and our students are at the core of this critical conversation.
Topics included during the digcitsummit are connected to Dr. Mike Ribble's nine elements of digital citizenship: digital access, digital commerce, digital communication, digital literacy, digital etiquette, digital law, digital rights & responsibilities, digital health & wellness and digital security.
The digcitsummit video to use: http://buff.ly/1lHfpEY
Link to registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/digcitsummituk-tickets-20002231212?ref=ebtnebtckt
Julie Szaj
Planning Team/Instructional Specialist
Julie has spent the past 25 years as a passionate educator, mentor, coach, collaborator, and facilitator. She engages learners of all ages, children through adults, in hands-on experiences that model how to safely integrate technology to increase critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. Julie is a member of the Leadership Team for ConnectEd Learning, Intel Engage, and a core member of the Digital Citizenship Summit-UK planning team. She is an Educational Writer and member of the Social Media Team for the JNP Project. Julie is a co-founder of #NT2t (New Teachers to Twitter), a global chat to help educators who are new to Twitter learn how to use the platform in a safe and caring environment and develop a global PLN. Julie's mantra is "#BetterTogether" which she firmly believes with all her heart!
Timmy Sullivan
Student Speaker Bringing #Stuvoice
At 17-years-old, Timmy Sullivan has distinguished himself as a freelance agent, landing himself professional work opportunities with pioneering brands in the educational technology industry. Fusing his passion for language with his admiration for public education, Sullivan craved an educational environment central to student’s individual passions. After researching trends in education, as well as current educational movements, Sullivan began advocating for personalized learning environments and student voice in education. Throughout this process, he has recognized the incredible impact of appropriate technology integration, and has worked to impact the digital learning community as well. Timmy has been invited to present and keynote at several educational technology conferences regarding his research and perspective on developing a personalized learning culture. Currently, Timmy is perpetuating his passion for language by writing as a freelance blogger, delivering speeches at edtech conferences, and connecting with individuals to practice foreign language. He has found incredible learning and professional potential in technology integration, and has discovered unique ways to fuel his passion for language using technology.
Chris Aviles
Speaker
My name is Chris Aviles. I am the EdTech Coach for Fair Haven school's in Fair Haven, NJ. Before that I taught high school English for ten years. I'm best known for my blog Teched Up Teacher and my work in Gamification, Makerspaces, Game-Based Learning, and Google Apps for Education.
Richard Abraham
First Grade Teacher
My name is Richard Abraham and I am a first grade teacher in Farmington, Connecticut. After completing my undergraduate degree, I realized I wanted to teach children in the primary grades. I started my career as a Kindergarten teacher, but quickly moved to First grade. This year as part of my Graduate coursework, I used familiar resources to help students understand the importance of digital citizenship. This experience helped me realize the importance of teaching DigCit to children in the primary grades, and I’d like to share my learning with others.
