Class At-a-Glance:

Class Length: 6 Hours

Time Commitment: 6 hours

Delivery Method: On-Demand Modules

CPD Hours: 8

Audience: Elementary, Secondary

Cost: Members $120 | Non-Members $150

AMS Self-Guided Classes Course List

Digital Citizenship in Montessori Education 

Digital Citizenship in Montessori Education is designed to help Montessori educators integrate Digital Citizenship principles into their teaching practices. 

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Program Description

Participants will define Digital Citizenship and its essential components within the context of Montessori education. The course covers strategies for promoting digital equity, inclusion, and addressing inherent biases in digital systems. Educators will receive a toolbox of resources and strategies to draw upon for selecting DC lessons suitable to their classroom environments and class community. This class will provide examples of and model concrete classroom activities, ground rules, and educators’ stances that cultivate an atmosphere in which Digital Citizenship skills – such as online safety, critical thinking, and responsible digital footprint management – can grow and thrive in students of any age, even if no technology is used in your classroom. The modules provide guidance on implementing these concepts in the classroom, modeling appropriate behaviors, and centering students in navigating and understanding their relationships with digital technology. Participants will also reflect on their growth as Digital Citizenship educators. By completing this course, Montessori teachers will be better prepared to begin supporting students in navigating the digital world responsibly and ethically.

The class will take approximately 6 hours to complete with no homework assignments. Each of the 6 class lessons/modules of this dynamic multimedia course includes a short introduction, content for the participant to review (including videos, podcasts, readings, resources, etc.), a game or activity related to the content, and a required discussion post. Each lesson/module is estimated to take approximately one hour to complete. You will have 180 days (approx. six months) from the date of purchase to complete the class and download the certificate that grants 8 hours of professional development. For the best user experience, we recommend using a desktop/laptop but content can also be accessed on mobile devices. Certificates will only be awarded for full completion of the class.

Meet the Experts

Dana Anderson MS

Dana Anderson, MS, is a seasoned educator, journalist, and kids’ digital content specialist. Her 12-year tenure with the nonprofit Common Sense Media as well as extensive work with tech companies on children’s and adolescents’ experiences with tech highlight her skills in high quality content assessment and creation. As Montessori teacher, Dana has experience working with and creating Montessori environments especially for neurodiverse students and students with special learning needs. Dana has taught at the Pre-K to High School levels and currently teaches Middle and High School students. Dana serves on the tech workgroup of the AMS Innovation Fellowship Think Tank, and she is deeply committed to making education more responsive to and inclusive of kids and teens’ voices, particularly in the realm of Digital Citizenship.

Samantha Gleisten

Samantha Gleisten has been teaching in a Montessori classroom for over 16 years. She has extensive experience in curriculum development, professional learning, and digital/STEAM integration across diverse learning environments and specializes in bringing cutting-edge digital literacy, AI literacy, maker education, and design thinking methodologies into the Montessori environment. Sam holds Elem I and II credentials and is the Innovation and Technology Coordinator for Rogers Park Montessori School. She is most proud to be the mom of three wonderful Montessori kids.