Digital Citizenship Week: Reading, writing, and thinking in a connected world

How educators can meaningfully integrate technology with literacy instruction to center student voice and agency

As we approach Digital Citizenship Week 2025 (October 20–24), educators are wrestling with a fundamental shift in how we think about literacy instruction. The question isn't whether to integrate technology into our teaching, it's how to do it in ways that genuinely serve student learning and development.

The challenge facing today's educators is more complex than simply adding digital tools to existing practices. It requires rethinking what it means to be literate in a world where students encounter text through interactive media, collaborate in real-time on shared documents, and increasingly learn alongside AI systems that can generate, analyze, and respond to written content.

What does digital literacy mean in 2025?

The definition of digital literacy has undergone a dramatic evolution, particularly as artificial intelligence becomes more prevalent in students' daily lives. Five years ago, digital literacy centered largely on basic computer skills, internet navigation, and online safety protocols. 

Today, it encompasses something far more complex: the ability to think critically about information sources, understand how algorithms shape what we see, and develop the judgment to know when digital tools enhance learning versus when they might hinder it.

This shift reflects the current reality students face. They're not just consuming digital content: they're creating it, collaborating through it, and increasingly, learning alongside AI systems that can generate text, images, and even video content. The challenge for educators is helping students develop the critical thinking skills necessary to navigate this landscape thoughtfully.

Common Sense Education's recent launch of its Digital Literacy and Well-Being Curriculum for grades K-8 illustrates this evolution. Rather than focusing solely on traditional concepts like screen time management, the new curriculum addresses AI literacy, recognizing deepfakes and manipulated media, and building healthy relationships with technology that support rather than undermine well-being. 

As educators work to position AI literacy as core digital literacy in their classrooms, this framework provides essential guidance for age-appropriate implementation.

Bridging traditional literacy and technology

The most effective integration of technology in literacy instruction doesn't replace traditional reading and writing practices. Instead, it amplifies them. This means moving beyond using digital tools as substitutes for paper-and-pencil activities and instead leveraging technology's unique affordances to deepen comprehension, expand students' ability to engage with diverse text forms, and create new opportunities for authentic expression.

The key lies in intentional decision-making about when and how to bring technology into literacy instruction. This means asking questions like: Does this digital tool help students engage more deeply with the text? Does it provide opportunities for students to express their thinking in ways that weren't previously possible? Does it connect students to authentic audiences for their writing and ideas?

When educators approach technology integration thoughtfully, they often discover that assessing AI tools for classroom use requires looking beyond features to focus on pedagogical value and student learning outcomes.

Centering student voice and agency in digital spaces

Perhaps the most transformative aspect of thoughtful technology integration is how it can position students as creators, collaborators, and critical thinkers rather than passive consumers of digital content. 

When students have opportunities to create digital content (whether through multimedia presentations, collaborative writing projects, or creative expression through various digital tools), they develop a deeper understanding of how media works and how messages are constructed. This hands-on experience with content creation naturally leads to more sophisticated media literacy skills.

Student agency in digital literacy also means teaching young people to be thoughtful curators of their own learning. This includes helping them develop strategies for evaluating information sources, understanding their own learning preferences, and making intentional choices about how they use technology to support their goals.

The focus on student voice extends to ensuring that technology integration reflects and honors the diverse perspectives, languages, and experiences students bring to the classroom. This means creating digital learning experiences that are culturally responsive and that provide multiple pathways for students to demonstrate their understanding.

Supporting educators in this evolution

The shift toward more sophisticated digital literacy instruction requires ongoing support for educators. This includes professional development that goes beyond tool training to focus on pedagogical decision-making, opportunities for educators to collaborate and share effective practices, and recognition that meaningful technology integration is an ongoing process rather than a destination.

Understanding AI's role in modern education helps teachers see technology as a supportive partner rather than a replacement for human expertise. Building strong foundations through AI literacy for educators creates the confidence needed to guide students thoughtfully through digital learning experiences.

Teachers need time and space to experiment with new approaches, to reflect on what works and what doesn't, and to adapt their practices based on student needs and responses. They also need access to high-quality resources and examples of effective practice that they can adapt for their own contexts.

Most importantly, educators need support in maintaining their professional judgment about when and how to use technology. The goal isn't to integrate technology for its own sake, but to use digital tools thoughtfully in service of deeper learning and student growth.

Looking toward the future of connected learning

As we prepare for Digital Citizenship Week 2025, it's worth remembering that the most important aspects of literacy education (helping students think critically, express themselves effectively, and engage meaningfully with ideas) remain constant even as the tools and contexts evolve.

The work ahead requires educators who can navigate the intersection of traditional literacy instruction and emerging digital possibilities with wisdom and courage. This means being willing to experiment with new approaches while staying grounded in proven pedagogical principles. It means embracing the potential of technology to amplify student voices while never losing sight of the human relationships that make learning meaningful.

The future of digital literacy education lies not in choosing between traditional and digital approaches, but in thoughtfully weaving them together in ways that honor both the enduring principles of good teaching and the new possibilities that technology offers. 

As we work to prepare students for the AI workforce, the most successful educators will be those who remain grounded in their understanding of how students learn while staying open to new tools and approaches that can enhance that learning.

Digital Citizenship Week offers an opportunity for educators to reflect on these challenges and possibilities, to share effective practices with colleagues, and to recommit to preparing students for success in our connected world. The conversation continues in classrooms everywhere, where dedicated teachers work daily to help every student become a confident, critical, and creative participant in our digital future.