Abstract
The purpose of this study is to identify and examine the digital citizenship levels of preservice teachers according to diverse variables. The sample of the study consists of students at Atatürk Education Faculty of Near East University (n=345). Likert-type “digital citizenship scale†with 7 dimensions and 64 items which was developed by Kocadağ (2012) and a personal information survey consisting of 8 questions which was developed by the researchers were used as data collection tools. Digital citizenship level of preservice teachers and their sub-dimensions such as digital communication and literacy, digital ethics and law, digital access, digital rights and responsibilities, digital health, digital safety, digital commerce and data obtained from diverse variables in personal information survey were examined. According to the obtained findings, it was observed that digital citizenship level of preservice teachers varied between good and very good. At the end of the study, it has been understood that as the history of using digital tools of preservice teachers increases, so does their digital citizenship level; in addition, those with better economic means have higher access to digital tools and more knowledge and experience on digital shopping.
 Keywords: digital citizenship; preservice teachers; digital literacy; digital environments; digital native
Highlights
After computer and Internet technologies entered our homes in 1990s, they gained wide usage in several fields, especially entertainment sector
At the end of the study, it has been observed that the digital citizenship of preservice teachers was generally at ‘very good level’ but significant differences were identified in the sub-dimensions of digital citizenship
When similar studies are examined, it can be seen that the digital citizenship level of preservice teachers was found as high (Iscioglu & Kocakusak, 2012; Kumar & Vigil, 2011) or medium (Akbaba Dag & Oksal 2013; Erkan, Akkoyunlu & Tugrul, 2010; Gokcearslan & Bayir, 2011)
Summary
After computer and Internet technologies entered our homes in 1990s, they gained wide usage in several fields, especially entertainment sector. In those years, computer provided several usage facilities as a new technology, for which reason the persons who could use this technology were called computer literate. The generation who were born in this period (in and after 2000) were called the students of the new millennium (Pedro, 2006) or digital natives (Prensky, 2001). The generation which was born before digital age who tried to adapt to that age are called digital immigrants (Prensky, 2001). Both generations are accepted as digital citizens.
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