Teaching Cybersecurity & Digital Citizenship in a Connected World
3 credits / 45 hours
Instructor Michele Milgrim
Course Description
In today’s hyperconnected classrooms, students need more than tech skills—they need guidance on how to be responsible digital citizens. This course helps K-12 educators build confidence teaching cybersecurity and online ethics across grade levels and subjects.
Participants will explore real-world tools and strategies for improving student awareness around digital privacy, online safety, social media boundaries, and ethical tech use. Educators will leave with a student-ready mini-lesson, a cybersecurity toolkit, and a tailored implementation plan.
Course Description
In today’s hyperconnected classrooms, students need more than tech skills—they need guidance on how to be responsible digital citizens. This course helps K-12 educators build confidence teaching cybersecurity and online ethics across grade levels and subjects.
Participants will explore real-world tools and strategies for improving student awareness around digital privacy, online safety, social media boundaries, and ethical tech use. Educators will leave with a student-ready mini-lesson, a cybersecurity toolkit, and a tailored implementation plan.
Course Objectives
Students that enroll in this class will...
Know
● key concepts in cybersecurity, including password management, phishing awareness, and personal data protection
● the foundational elements of digital citizenship as defined by ISTE and NY State standards
● legal policies and privacy regulations relevant to K–12 education (e.g., FERPA, COPPA, CIPA)
Understand
● the educator’s role in shaping students' online behavior and digital ethics
● how social-emotional learning intersects with digital safety and well-being
● developmental and cultural considerations when teaching digital topics across grade bands
and Be Able To
● design and deliver a classroom-ready mini-lesson on cybersecurity or digital citizenship
● create tailored student-facing resources that promote responsible tech use
● advocate for digital safety within their school community through policy, outreach, or curriculum design
