Examine the profound ways technology reshapes human connection, democracy, and daily decision-making across all aspects of life. Cultivate the wisdom to engage responsibly with systems that influence everything from personal relationships to global economics.
- 5 progressive levels from beginner to advanced
- Boss battles featuring real-world case studies
- Side quests for hands-on practice
- Portfolio building throughout the journey
- Optional learning on many topics and concepts
- Share and see global student perspectives
Where Perspectives Meet Purpose
Digital Citizenship and Engagement isn't just another online course. It's a global learning community where students from every continent come together to explore our shared digital reality. While an optional textbook provides foundational framework, the real learning happens through authentic cross-cultural dialogue about the challenges shaping our digital present and future.
Progress by levels and stages each level with boss battles and side quests
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This subject requires the sharing of our lived experiences, hear stories from the author and past students for real life contextual understanding.
Optional content to bridge from introductory to deeper and relative learning
Curate and share your work in this course with course mates and optionally, the world.
Interactive Simulations
Our platform is experiencing unprecedented growth—50 million daily active users and climbing. As our newest senior content moderator, you're stepping into one of the most challenging roles in social media.
Understand how your social media posts are stored, shared, and used on platforms.
Test your passwords against a brute force attack.
Welcome to Together Town, and congratulations on your new role as the Public Technology Adviser! Your mission is both exciting and challenging: to help bridge the digital divide in our growing community.
Explore the foundational technology of Large Language Models through an interactive visual journey.
Learn how to audit what data has been collected about you and where.
Practice better habits to keep your digital identity safe and secure.
Eric is a learning futurist, tinkering with and designing technologies that may better inform the future of teaching and learning. Eric's projects have included augmented tourism rallies, AR community art exhibitions, mixed reality escape rooms, and other experiments in immersive technology.
Roles
Professor - Kyoto University of Foreign Studies
Research Coordinator - MAVR Research Group
Founder - Together Learning
Designer - Reality Labo
Chair - World Learning Labs
The Internet is a Jungle, Learn to Walk It Smartly.
Digital Street Smarts is a new series designed to help people build a smarter, healthier relationship with technology and the internet. It covers critical topics like misinformation, online scams, social media’s impact on mental well-being, and how emerging technologies are reshaping job searches and digital communication. Through real-world scenarios, it equips students, job seekers, and everyday users with the tools to navigate the digital landscape responsibly. This initiative extends digital citizenship education beyond the classroom, making it accessible to anyone looking to engage more thoughtfully and positively online.
So far there are 12 episodes and countless student contributions to this project, showcasing different issues of technology and our various cultural approaches to dealing with those issues.
Learn how to recognize and resist the hooks that manipulate your attention online. From understanding the psychological triggers used by media to examining practical steps for enhancing your digital literacy, this video empowers viewers to navigate the digital world more responsibly.
Learn why ads seem to shadow you on every online turn and grasp effective strategies to handle them. From unraveling the mechanics behind ad tracking to recognizing and sidestepping marketing traps, this episode arms you with the necessary knowledge to protect your privacy and make informed choices in the digital landscape.
Hosted by Eric, this video looks into what identity theft entails, how to recognize impersonation attacks, and practical steps to safeguard yourself and your contacts. Whether it's a suspicious message on WhatsApp or a dubious social media account, learn to navigate these digital pitfalls with confidence.
As we juggle multiple platforms for personal, professional, and academic purposes, the lines often blur, leading to potential miscommunication and privacy concerns. This episode dives into strategies to maintain distinct channels for different aspects of our lives, aiming to prevent information overload and protect sensitive data. Join Eric as he provides practical advice on how to navigate the digital landscape effectively, ensuring that our online interactions remain clear and compartmentalized.
The allure and risks associated with relying too heavily on artificial intelligence, especially for students navigating research and academic work. From the potential pitfalls of AI-assisted assignments to mastering AI literacy, Eric provides insight into how AI can be a tool for enhancement rather than a crutch. This session is essential for anyone looking to understand the proper use of AI in a way that fosters genuine learning and development.
Eric explores the concept of echo chambers and algorithm bubbles, shedding light on how social media algorithms amplify our existing biases by feeding us content that aligns with our interests and beliefs. This episode dives into the mechanics of online echo chambers, the psychological underpinnings of confirmation bias, and practical strategies for broadening our digital perspectives. Join Eric as he guides us through the importance of diverse opinions and how to maintain a balanced online presence.
A first-year Global Tourism student from Indonesia explains how TikTok evolved into an e-commerce platform in the country. Originally known for short, music-based videos, TikTok’s popularity surged during COVID-19 lockdowns, with daily active users surpassing 600 million in 2021. Influencers and small businesses began using TikTok Live to sell products, enabling Indonesian retailers to reach global markets and promote local culture.
In 2023, Indonesia banned TikTok e-commerce, citing regulations that social media should not host online shopping. The situation changed when major Indonesian e-commerce company Tokopedia acquired a stake in TikTok, allowing TikTok Shop to continue. Indonesia is TikTok Shop’s largest and first market, later followed by countries like Malaysia and Thailand.
Two Italian language students share personal stories of their mothers falling victim to Amazon and fake website scams, highlighting the emotional and financial consequences of online fraud. They stress the importance of digital literacy, vigilance, and proactive measures, such as verifying sources, avoiding rushed purchases, and reporting suspicious ads, to protect personal data and prevent future scams.
A student from Myanmar shares personal experiences of propaganda and fake news during the 2021 military coup, including false reports about the release of the detained government leader. They emphasize the importance of fact-checking, critical thinking, and media literacy to combat misinformation, protect public safety, and better understand how digital platforms spread disinformation.
A student discusses IMA, an AI-created virtual influencer with a strong social media presence who collaborates with major brands and influences public opinion on issues like climate change. They highlight that both creators and audiences share responsibility for ensuring virtual humans promote respect, honesty, and positive online behavior, reinforcing the principles of good digital citizenship.
A student from the Philippines uses the example of journalist and Nobel laureate Maria Ressa’s conflicts with former president Rodrigo Duterte to illustrate how even leaders can spread false information that people readily believe. They stress the importance of critical thinking and media literacy to question claims, especially from powerful figures and to better understand the truth behind what is seen online.
"I think that, with the expansion of AI tools, we are entering a completely new and challenging era, as digital citizens. AI is already posing new challenges and ethical concerns nowadays, for example in the academic world, and these will surely expand to more spheres of our lives."
Course Participant
University of Bergamo, Italy
"This course and Mr. Eric really help me a lot for my future. The course made by Mr. Eric let me get practical skills which will contribute to my future work life."
Student
Kyoto University of Foreign Studies
"Here in Italy most of the public services are provided online and not everybody is able to use them. I think that more old people would need help in the future to be able to accomplish even simple activities."
Course Participant
University of Bergamo, Italy
"My classmates and I all think this course is great and can really help us now or in the future."
Student
Kyoto University of Foreign Studies
"I am actually quite worried about the depletion of natural resources and destruction of habitats caused by technology. I'm thinking about the extraction of coltan in Congo, used to manufacture electric car batteries and mobile phones... I think many people in the global North, the main users of digital devices, are still not aware of such problems."
International Student
Rabat, Morocco
"Making my own portfolio is sometimes difficult for me but it was fun to see my classmates' portfolios. I appreciate that you gave me a lot of opportunities to know about digital tools and the uses of them."
Course Participant
Kyoto University of Foreign Studies
CONTACT FOR PRICING
The complete online course provides access to the full 5-level learning journey where you'll build authentic international peer connections. Your experience includes cultural exchange opportunities, digital portfolio development, and community access for 12 months. All interactive content and resources are included in this comprehensive learning experience.
CONTACT FOR PRICING
The optional textbook offers over 400 pages of structured content enhanced with QR code learning experiences. You'll find side quests and hands-on activities, portfolio reflection prompts, and valuable reference material for ongoing use. Remember that course participation does not require the textbook, though many students find it enriches their learning experience.
It's a global online learning community where students worldwide explore how technology shapes our lives, cultures, and societies. Through collaborative projects and cross-cultural dialogue, participants develop critical thinking skills about digital life while building international connections and perspectives.
The core program runs 12-16 weeks, with flexible pacing options. Students typically spend 3-5 hours per week on activities, discussions, and collaborative projects. Extended learning communities continue beyond the formal course period.
No, the textbook is completely optional. All essential content is available within the online course platform. The textbook provides additional depth and structured activities for those who prefer print resources or want supplementary material.
Credit availability depends on your institution. We partner with universities and schools worldwide who offer academic credit. Check with your educational institution or browse our partner network to see credit options in your region. You will receive a verifiable certificate of completion.
The course is conducted in English, but we welcome all proficiency levels. Translation tools, peer language support, and multilingual resources help ensure everyone can participate meaningfully. Many of our most valuable insights come from diverse language perspectives.
A computer or tablet with internet access is sufficient. We use standard web browsers and common collaboration tools. No special software purchases required. Mobile-friendly options ensure accessibility from various devices. We also have a few VR and AR experiences that are optional.
