The Digital Evolution: From Digital Citizenship to Digital Leadership

1. The Digital Evolution: From Digital Citizenship to Digital Leadership In today's changing education world, using technology in the classroom is not just about learning things online. It is more about teaching students to use technology responsibly and be responsible for digital citizenship. Teachers have always wanted their students to be smart and kind when using the Internet. With technology advancing, teachers must shift students' focus toward cultivating digital leadership skills. Being a digital leader means more than just using technology the right way. It encourages students to actively engage, create content, and build positive online communities. Many students bring their gadgets to class, like phones, tablets, Chromebooks, and laptops. Because of this, teachers need to show students how to use online tools safely and purposefully. Nowadays, each student having their own device is becoming common. This means teachers have to teach students about using the Internet. However, school board policies often restrict personal devices in the classroom, making it harder for technology to improve learning. Digital Citizenship Digital citizenship, initially focused on ethical and responsible technology use, has evolved with technology itself. Ribble (2008) says that students who are good digital citizens use information and technology safely, legally, and responsibly. They also like using technology to work together and learn. Additionally, they take responsibility for learning throughout their lives. School board administrators often create frameworks or acceptable use policies, sometimes limiting content creation and online engagement. While it is important to have guidelines for good online behavior, there is a suggestion to change how to teach better to get students ready for the digital world.

2. Connectivism Connectivism is a modern way of looking at learning. It says that learning is a social thing, where we gain knowledge by talking and sharing with others. Imagine each person as a point in a big network, connecting with others by sharing what we know. Social media, like Twitter, shows how this works. It lets students talk to each other and their teachers, helping them think more deeply. Connectivism is like the base for being a leader online, saying that learning is better when we do it together and help each other out. Digital Leadership Digital leadership is about using technology, like social media, to make a positive difference in the lives of others. It encourages students to see themselves as leaders online, sharing their interests, connecting with similar people, and spreading positivity. Being a digital leader means using online presence to bring about positive changes. When students actively take part in online learning communities through social media, it helps them feel more connected to themselves and their community. Applications in the Classroom Teachers as Models of Digital Leadership Teachers play a crucial role in modeling positive online behaviors for students. Encouraging educators to show the positive aspects of creating content, engaging with online communities, and using technology for meaningful connections sets an important tone for students. Especially on platforms like Twitter, teachers can connect with authors, experts, and other classes to show how social media can be useful for learning. Modeling the positive use of technology helps students understand the importance of responsible digital leadership. Building Personal Brand

3. Teaching students about personal branding becomes a strategic approach to digital leadership. It means showing them how students present themselves online and encouraging them to consciously build a positive online brand that supports digital leadership. Students need to understand the implications of their online actions and focus on creating content that aligns with their personal brand. Developing skills in building a personal brand helps students remain focused on how their online presence can positively impact their learning and growth. Practicing Advocacy and Community Collaboration Digital leadership involves not only sharing ideas but also advocating for them. Students can learn by using social media platforms to share their thoughts projects, and collaborate with others. This advocacy can get support from the community and classmates. Collaboration skills are crucial for students to understand how to work with others effectively and bring added value to their projects. Platforms such as AI-based student applications can help students collaborate and provide insights into efforts and results. Digital Mission Students can be encouraged to set digital missions for themselves, which means figuring out how they will utilize digital resources to achieve their goals efficiently. This approach helps students stay focused on their objectives, develop a sense of purpose, and learn to utilize digital tools strategically. The idea is to show students the importance of planning their goals and developing a mission to guide them toward success in the digital world. Digital Entrepreneurship Beyond using technology for learning, students can be guided on how to be digital entrepreneurs. This means using their digital skills to create meaningful things and take charge of their ideas. Teaching digital

4. entrepreneurship prepares students for the ever-changing digital world and empowers them to understand and contribute to the digital economy. Constant Upgrading It is really important for continuous learning and skill upgrading. Digital leaders understand that learning is a lifelong process, and they actively look for new sources and concepts to stay ahead in the digital world. Encouraging students to embrace the constant upgrading of their digital skills prepares them for future challenges and ensures they remain adaptable to rapidly changing technology. Future Recommendations The transition from digital citizenship to digital leadership is a good step in education, supporting students to see the positive effects of their social media presence. Educators play an important role in guiding this by modeling positive online behaviors and demonstrating how learning can be shared and built upon through social media outlets. By focusing on teaching strategies that emphasize personal branding, advocacy, collaboration, digital missions, and digital entrepreneurship, educators can empower students to become active participants in online learning communities. As technology becomes a big part of education, it is important to help students become digital leaders. These skills not only help in school but also prepare students for success in the digital world. By using social media, creating a positive online image, and always being ready to learn, students can be digital leaders who make a positive impact on their communities. Teachers need to create an environment that supports digital leadership, where students take the lead and actively contrib