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Active / Digital Participation & Online Expression

[eDash] Course Details

Description

This course empowers participants to become active and ethical contributors in digital civic life.

It explores digital citizenship, online expression, and storytelling, while helping learners navigate algorithms, identify misinformation, and use digital platforms for social impact.

Participants gain practical skills to express their views creatively and safely, using digital tools to engage communities and support inclusive, transparent dialogue

Target

Young people (15–30) interested in social change, Youth workers, educators, and trainers, Activists and community organizers, Digital artists and creators exploring Web3 tools, NGOs, CSOs, and social enterprises, Beginner advocates who want to build campaigns, Anyone interested in using digital tools (including NFTs) for social impact.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the course, participants will understand key principles of digital citizenship and online participation.

They will distinguish between passive and active engagement, recognize ethical boundaries, and understand how algorithms shape information.

Learners will develop skills in digital storytelling, fact-checking, and content creation, while learning to manage their digital footprint, engage constructively online, and use digital tools to support causes they care about.

Lessons Breakdown

Lesson 1: Introduction to Digital Participation & Citizenship
Lesson 2: Media Literacy: Navigating Algorithms & Information
Lesson 3: Ethics of Online Expression & Digital Etiquette
Lesson 4: Digital Storytelling & Content Creation for Impact
Lesson 5: Digital Safety, Privacy, & Well-being
Lesson 6: Launching Your Digital Initiative & Measuring Engagement

Learning Introduction

This course introduces participants to the essential principles of active digital participation and responsible online expression in an increasingly connected world.

Moving beyond passive consumption, learners will explore how to transition into "digital citizens" who can influence social change through constructive dialogue and creative content.

Through a mix of real-world case studies, interactive simulations, and digital storytelling exercises, the course connects the ethics of traditional communication with modern digital realities—such as escaping algorithmic filter bubbles and identifying misinformation.

Participants will discover how technology can be a powerful tool for amplifying youth voices, fostering inclusive democratic dialogue, and supporting social causes with transparency and impact

Learning Outcomes

Explain the concept of digital citizenship and the difference between passive digital consumption and active participation.
Identify and navigate algorithmic filter bubbles and echo chambers to find diverse perspectives.
Differentiate between constructive online expression, free speech, and harmful content such as hate speech or misinformation.
Design and create impactful digital content (stories, videos, or posts) to promote a social cause or community initiative.
Implement digital safety strategies to protect their privacy and personal data while engaging in online activism.
Evaluate the reach and impact of their online expression using engagement metrics and community feedback.
Collaborate with others in digital spaces using ethical communication and constructive dialogue.

Learning Overview

This course provides participants with a practical and engaging introduction to navigating the digital world as active and responsible citizens.

It guides learners through every stage of the digital participation process—from understanding the shift from passive consumption to active engagement, to mastering media literacy, ethical expression, and digital safety.

The course combines theoretical knowledge of digital rights with innovative content creation techniques, showing how modern digital voices can reach wider audiences and foster meaningful democratic dialogue.

Instructor / Organization

Ketevan Lomadze, Trainer, Student-Youth Council

Section outline

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🚀 START HERE

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- Select activity 📘 What You’ll Learn
  
  📘 What You’ll Learn
  
  Welcome to Digital Participation & Online Expression! This course is designed to take you on a journey from being a passive scroller to becoming an active, impactful, and ethical digital citizen.
  
  By the time you complete this 4-week journey, you will be able to:
  
  Become an Active Digital Citizen: Master the core principles of digital citizenship and learn how to shift from passive media consumption to meaningful civic engagement.
  
  Bust the Algorithmic Bubbles: Understand how social media algorithms work and gain practical tools to escape echo chambers and diversify your online feed.
  
  Navigate Online Ethics: Clearly differentiate between free speech, constructive dialogue, and harmful content (like hate speech and misinformation).
  
  Create Content for Social Impact: Learn the art of digital storytelling and use tools to design powerful visual/textual campaigns (like a 1-Minute Cause Story) for issues you care about.
  
  Protect Your Digital Safety: Implement step-by-step strategies to audit your privacy, secure your personal data, and protect your mental well-being while advocating online.
  
  Measure Your Campaign Success: Learn how to analyze engagement metrics and community feedback to evaluate the real-world reach of your online initiatives.
  
  Collaborate and Connect: Master the rules of digital etiquette to lead constructive debates and build networks within the digital civic space.
  
  💡 Ready to make an impact? Upon successfully meeting the course criteria, you will earn your official Digital Citizen & Ethical Communicator (Level 1) credential!
- Select activity 🎯 Goals of This Course
  
  🎯 Goals of This Course
  
  The ultimate goal of this course is to bridge the gap between technology and civic participation, transforming the internet into a safer, more transparent, and inclusive space for democratic dialogue.
  
  Specifically, this course aims to:
  
  Empower Youth Voices: Provide young people, activists, and educators with the practical tools and confidence needed to amplify their causes and drive positive social change online.
  
  Foster Critical Media Literacy: Equip learners with the analytical skills to dismantle misinformation, identify propaganda, and think critically about the digital content they consume and share daily.
  
  Promote Digital Empathy & Etiquette: Establish a high standard of digital ethics, helping users transition away from polarization and move toward constructive, non-violent online expression and debate.
  
  Demystify Digital Infrastructure: Help creators, NGOs, and advocates understand the backend of digital platforms — from social media algorithms to modern Web3 and collaborative digital spaces.
  
  Build Resilient Digital Advocates: Ensure that online activism doesn't come at the cost of personal safety or mental health, by providing clear blueprints for digital privacy and well-being.
  
  🌐 Our Vision: We believe that every click, share, and post is an opportunity to shape society. This course exists to ensure that your digital footprint contributes to a more democratic, transparent, and empathetic world.
- Select activity 🎮 How You Level Up
  
  🎮 How You Level Up
  
  This course uses a dynamic progress-tracking system. You don’t just read and listen; you earn points, unlock milestones, and build an active digital portfolio.
  
  Here is how you track your progress and level up your skills throughout the 4-week journey:
  
  The Milestones
  
  Engage in Onboarding (0% ➔ 10%): Start your journey by diving into the "Before you get started" space. Cast your vote in the Echo Chamber Poll, tackle the "Flip the Script" Mini Task, and pin your statement to the 15-Second Digital Manifesto.
  
  Complete Lesson Quizzes (10% ➔ 40%): Test your critical thinking at the end of each lesson. Bite-sized, scenario-based formative check-ins (like the Fact-Checker Challenge) ensure that concepts like algorithmic bias and media literacy really stick.
  
  Participate in Discussion Hubs (40% ➔ 60%): Collaborate with peers in the Digital Innovation Hub forums. Share your campaign ideas, upload your 1-Minute Cause Story pitches, and give/receive constructive feedback on your ethical strategies.
  
  The Capstone Assignment (60% ➔ 100%): Complete and submit your finalized Digital Participation Plan. This is where you fully map out your cause, platform strategy, Digital Code of Conduct, safety protocols, and engagement metrics.
  
  The Final Reward
  
  Microcredentials & Certification: Achieving a total score of 70% or higher across your quizzes (20%) and final project submission (80%) unlocks your official certificate. Your cumulative success will reward you with the formal Digital Citizen & Ethical Communicator (Level 1) microcredential badge, proving your readiness to launch real-world digital initiatives!
- Select activity 💬 Discussion Corner
  
  💬 Discussion Corner Forum
  
  This is your space to ask, share, and connect.
  
  Got a question? Post it.
  Have an idea? Share it.
  Want to help someone? Jump in!
  
  Keep it respectful, stay on topic, and let’s make this space active and useful for everyone.
Select section Digital Participation & Online Expression

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Digital Participation & Online Expression
- Select activity Before you get started
  
  Welcome to the core of your digital transformation! This course is your roadmap to transitioning from a passive scroller into an active, impactful, and ethical Digital Citizen.
  
  Through real-world case studies, interactive simulations, and creative exercises, you will learn how to break free from algorithmic filter bubbles, dismantle misinformation, and use your digital voice to safely mobilize communities for social impact. From mastering media literacy to launching your own digital campaign, this module guides you through every step of ethical online expression.
- Select activity Before You Get Started:
  
  Before You Get Started: Quiz
  
  Before we dive into the lessons, let's test your natural instincts with these quick, easy, and interactive challenges! No prior knowledge is needed—just follow your intuition
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  Lesson 1 - Introduction to Digital Participation & Citizenship
  
  Select activity 🎥 From Scrolling to Participating: Shaping Your Digital Voice
  
  🎥 From Scrolling to Participating: Shaping Your Digital Voice Page
  
  Students must
  
  Mark as done
  
  Select activity Core Reading: From Passive Scrolling to Active Digital Citizenship
  
  Core Reading: From Passive Scrolling to Active Digital Citizenship Page
  
  Students must
  
  Mark as done
  
  Select activity 🎥The Three Ingredients of Digital Initiative
  
  🎥The Three Ingredients of Digital Initiative Page
  
  Students must
  
  Mark as done
  
  Select activity 🎥Deep Dive: Cooking Up Change Online
  
  🎥Deep Dive: Cooking Up Change Online Page
  
  Students must
  
  Mark as done
  
  Select activity 🎥 Final Challenge & Next Steps
  
  🎥 Final Challenge & Next Steps Page
  
  Students must
  
  Mark as done
  
  Select activity Lesson 1 Quiz
  
  Lesson 1 Quiz
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  Lesson 2 - Media Literacy: Navigating Algorithms & Information
  
  Select activity 🎥 Under the Hood of Your Feed
  
  🎥 Under the Hood of Your Feed Page
  
  Students must
  
  Mark as done
  
  Select activity Navigating the Algorithmic Wilderness & Spotting Misinformation
  
  Navigating the Algorithmic Wilderness & Spotting Misinformation Page
  
  Students must
  
  Mark as done
  
  Select activity The Fact-Checker Challenge
  
  The Fact-Checker Challenge Quiz
  
  Select activity Trapped in a Filter Bubble: What are the Algorithms Hiding from You?
  
  Trapped in a Filter Bubble: What are the Algorithms Hiding from You? Page
  
  Select activity Deep Dive: Practical Tools for Algorithmic Hygiene
  
  Deep Dive: Practical Tools for Algorithmic Hygiene Page
  
  Students must
  
  Mark as done
  
  Select activity 🎥 "Your Feed, Your Responsibility"
  
  🎥 "Your Feed, Your Responsibility" Page
  
  Select activity Lesson 2 Quiz
  
  Lesson 2 Quiz
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  Lesson 3 - Ethics of Online Expression & Digital Etiquette
  
  Select activity 🎥The Power and Responsibility of Your Voice
  
  🎥The Power and Responsibility of Your Voice Page
  
  Students must
  
  Mark as done
  
  Select activity Core Reading: Netiquette for Change-Makers & Digital Well-Being
  
  Core Reading: Netiquette for Change-Makers & Digital Well-Being Page
  
  Students must
  
  Mark as done
  
  Select activity Moodle Discussion Forum: The Anatomy of a Conflict
  
  Moodle Discussion Forum: The Anatomy of a Conflict
  
  Select activity 🎥 Standing Firm in the Face of Fire
  
  🎥 Standing Firm in the Face of Fire Page
  
  Students must
  
  Mark as done
  
  Select activity Core Reading 2: Safeguarding Your Mental Space & Managing Digital Fatigue
  
  Core Reading 2: Safeguarding Your Mental Space & Managing Digital Fatigue Page
  
  Students must
  
  Mark as done
  
  Select activity Lesson 3 Quiz
  
  Lesson 3 Quiz
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  Lesson 4 - Digital Storytelling & Content Creation for Impact
  
  Select activity 🎥 Designing the Blueprint for Change
  
  🎥 Designing the Blueprint for Change Page
  
  Students must
  
  Mark as done
  
  Select activity Core Reading: The Digital Storyteller's Blueprint
  
  Core Reading: The Digital Storyteller's Blueprint Page
  
  Students must
  
  Mark as done
  
  Select activity 🎥 Hooking the Scroll
  
  🎥 Hooking the Scroll Page
  
  Students must
  
  Mark as done
  
  Select activity Core Reading 2: The Creator's Toolbox – Free Apps for Social Impact
  
  Core Reading 2: The Creator's Toolbox – Free Apps for Social Impact Page
  
  Students must
  
  Mark as done
  
  Select activity Moodle Discussion Forum: Crafting Your Blueprint for Impact
  
  Moodle Discussion Forum: Crafting Your Blueprint for Impact
  
  Select activity Lesson 4 Quiz
  
  Lesson 4 Quiz
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  Lesson 5 - Digital Safety, Privacy, & Well-being
  
  Select activity 🎥 Shielding Your Digital Presence
  
  🎥 Shielding Your Digital Presence Page
  
  Students must
  
  Mark as done
  
  Select activity Core Reading: Securing Your Digital Fortress & Mitigating Risks
  
  Core Reading: Securing Your Digital Fortress & Mitigating Risks Page
  
  Students must
  
  Mark as done
  
  Select activity Practical Assignment: The Personal Privacy Audit
  
  Practical Assignment: The Personal Privacy Audit Quiz
  
  Select activity 🎥 Video Resource: Spotting Phishing Attempts in 2 Minutes
  
  🎥 Video Resource: Spotting Phishing Attempts in 2 Minutes Page
  
  Students must
  
  Mark as done
  
  Select activity Practical Challenge: Scam or Real?
  
  Practical Challenge: Scam or Real? Quiz
  
  Select activity 🎥Your Sustainable Digital Shield
  
  🎥Your Sustainable Digital Shield Page
  
  Students must
  
  Mark as done
  
  Select activity Lesson 5– Final Quiz
  
  Lesson 5– Final Quiz
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  Lesson 6 - Launching Your Digital Initiative & Measuring Engagement
  
  Select activity 🎥From Blueprint to Reality
  
  🎥From Blueprint to Reality Page
  
  Students must
  
  Mark as done
  
  Select activity Core Reading: The Advocate's Guide to Launching, Measuring, and the Web3 Future
  
  Core Reading: The Advocate's Guide to Launching, Measuring, and the Web3 Future Page
  
  Students must
  
  Mark as done
  
  Select activity Pitching and Refining Your Initiative
  
  Pitching and Refining Your Initiative Forum
  
  Select activity 🎥 Video Resource: What is a DAO? (Decentralized Governance Explained)
  
  🎥 Video Resource: What is a DAO? (Decentralized Governance Explained) Page
  
  Students must
  
  Mark as done
  
  Select activity Core Reading 2: Data-Driven Movements & The Mechanics of Digital Governance
  
  Core Reading 2: Data-Driven Movements & The Mechanics of Digital Governance Page
  
  Students must
  
  Mark as done
  
  Select activity 🎥Your Sustainable Legacy as a Digital Citizen
  
  🎥Your Sustainable Legacy as a Digital Citizen Page
  
  Students must
  
  Mark as done
  
  Select activity Lesson 6 Quiz
  
  Lesson 6 Quiz
Select section 📖 Key Readings/Resources

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📖 Key Readings/Resources
📖 Key Readings/Resources

This section has the most important materials connected to the course.

Here you’ll find:

📖 Key readings

🎥 Helpful videos

🔗 Useful links and tools

Use these resources to go deeper, understand the topics better, and level up your knowledge.

If you want to explore more — this is the place to start.
- Select activity Key Readings/Resources
  
  Key Readings & Books
  
  Tactical Guide: EFF's Surveillance Self-Defense Guide – A comprehensive, practical guide by the Electronic Frontier Foundation on how to protect your digital privacy and secure your communications.
  
  Digital Rights Handbook: Amnesty International's Digital Security Resources – Essential readings on tracking digital footprints and understanding human rights in the digital age.
  
  Media Literacy Guide: Data Detox Kit by Tactical Tech – An award-winning, step-by-step practical guide to optimizing your social media privacy settings and controling your digital footprint.
  
  Helpful Videos
  
  Algorithm Explainer: How Social Media Algorithms Work | BBC Ideas – A concise visual breakdown of how platforms capture attention and shape digital dialogue.
  
  Phishing & Security:
  – Google's official animated guide to spotting phishing traps and false urgency online.
  
  The Web3 Future:
  – The ultimate animated explainer on how Decentralized Autonomous Organizations and blockchain voting operate without central authority.
  
  Useful Links & Tools
  
  Content Design Platform: Canva for Education & NGOs – The ultimate drag-and-drop tool for turning heavy data and reports into high-contrast visual infographics.
  
  Secure Messenger: Signal Messenger Official Site – The world's leading open-source, end-to-end encrypted communication platform for team coordination.
  
  Password Auditor: Have I Been Pwned – A secure, data-hygiene tool where users can check if their project or personal emails have ever been compromised in public data breaches.
  
  💡 Pro-Tip for Learners
  
  Don't just skim through these! Revisit this centralized repository whenever you are drafting your weekly forum assignments, auditing your media settings, or finalizing your capstone Digital Participation Plan.
- Select activity Course Glossary: Digital Participation & Leadership
  
  Course Glossary: Digital Participation & Leadership
Select section 🎓 COURSE FINAL ASSIGMENT

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🎓 COURSE FINAL ASSIGMENT
🎓 COURSE FINAL ASSIGMENT

It is time to bring it all together. As you reach the finish line of this course, take this final assessment to review the key concepts we’ve covered across our entire journey. This ultimate knowledge check will solidify your learning and ensure you are fully equipped to apply these new strategies to build and scale your own project.

Successfully completing this evaluation is your final milestone — it not only validates your hard work but also serves as your official stepping stone into the NFT Innovation Labs, where you will turn theory into real-world action.

Upon completion of the course, the student receives the following certificates:

Certificate of Completion / Certificate of Achievement

Confirms that the student has engaged with the course content and completed all required assessments, including passing the final test.

Received Credits: 1
- Select activity ✅ COURSE FINAL ASSIGMENT
  
  ✅ COURSE FINAL ASSIGMENT Quiz
  
  Not available unless: The activity 🎥 From Scrolling to Participating: Shaping Your Digital Voice is marked complete ...
  
  Not available unless:
  
  The activity 🎥 From Scrolling to Participating: Shaping Your Digital Voice is marked complete
  
  The activity Core Reading: From Passive Scrolling to Active Digital Citizenship is marked complete
  
  The activity 🎥The Three Ingredients of Digital Initiative is marked complete
  
  The activity 🎥Deep Dive: Cooking Up Change Online is marked complete
  
  The activity 🎥 Final Challenge & Next Steps is marked complete
  
  The activity 🎥 Under the Hood of Your Feed is marked complete
  
  The activity Navigating the Algorithmic Wilderness & Spotting Misinformation is marked complete
  
  The activity Deep Dive: Practical Tools for Algorithmic Hygiene is marked complete
  
  The activity 🎥The Power and Responsibility of Your Voice is marked complete
  
  The activity Core Reading: Netiquette for Change-Makers & Digital Well-Being is marked complete
  
  The activity 🎥 Standing Firm in the Face of Fire is marked complete
  
  The activity Core Reading 2: Safeguarding Your Mental Space & Managing Digital Fatigue is marked complete
  
  The activity 🎥 Designing the Blueprint for Change is marked complete
  
  The activity Core Reading: The Digital Storyteller's Blueprint is marked complete
  
  The activity 🎥 Hooking the Scroll is marked complete
  
  The activity Core Reading 2: The Creator's Toolbox – Free Apps for Social Impact is marked complete
  
  The activity 🎥 Shielding Your Digital Presence is marked complete
  
  The activity Core Reading: Securing Your Digital Fortress & Mitigating Risks is marked complete
  
  The activity 🎥 Video Resource: Spotting Phishing Attempts in 2 Minutes is marked complete
  
  The activity 🎥Your Sustainable Digital Shield is marked complete
  
  The activity 🎥From Blueprint to Reality is marked complete
  
  The activity Core Reading: The Advocate's Guide to Launching, Measuring, and the Web3 Future is marked complete
  
  The activity 🎥 Video Resource: What is a DAO? (Decentralized Governance Explained) is marked complete
  
  The activity Core Reading 2: Data-Driven Movements & The Mechanics of Digital Governance is marked complete
  
  The activity 🎥Your Sustainable Legacy as a Digital Citizen is marked complete

[eDash] Course Enrolment Custom

Price Free
Course Level Beginner
Credits 1 Credit
Certificate Yes
Language English
Access Lifetime

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