This guide provides information and strategies you can use to help your child be a good online digital citizen. This will help your child be safe when learning online and so that you can recognize when behaviors are inappropriate.  

Our Online Learning Platforms 

Your child will be using Microsoft Teams and Schoology to interact with his or her teacher and others within the class. Microsoft Teams includes students engaging in a variety of learning activities, like participating in online chats, discussions, meetings, and group assignments.  Being a good digital citizen means using these features for educational purposes and when the teacher is present or by following the teacher’s directions.  Breaking these rules may cause a student to be removed from using one or more of these features.  Students are expected to adhere to the District’s Student Code of Conduct and Acceptable Use Policy including properly interacting in online discussions and chats. 

Strategies You Can Use to Support Your Child 

• Positively reinforce why it is important to act appropriately and be productive when using technology. 
• Designate a quiet, comfortable space, free from distractions, for your child to work. 
• Designate specific blocks of time for free time around your child’s learning schedule. 
• Monitor your child's online activities - verify (s)he is staying on task and not being distracted. 
• Limit your child’s access to social media, especially when you are not able to monitor their activity.
• Consider using built-in monitoring features for iPhone and Android devices. 
• Talk to your child about a digital footprint and what it means once something is published.   
• Frequently ask your child questions about their learning, like: 
  • “How was school today?” 
  • “What did your teacher teach you today?” 
  • “What did you learn today?” 
  • “What was your best work from today?” 
  • “Are there any assignments you need help with?” 
  • “Who did you see today in class?” 
• Use the apps that they are using - get familiar with them in the Tech Help section.
• Contact the teacher if your child is confused or needs help with an assignment. 
• You know your child best! Set rules for your child to follow to do their best work. 

If you have questions about any of the learning tools that your student is using, please contact us at it.training@detroitk12.org.