NEW lessons can be found via the top toolbar under DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP BY GRADE. You’ll find a number of activities grouped by categories to include in your classroom experiences. These offer the opportunity to integrate into your curriculum throughout the year. More will be coming.
Creative Credit and Copyright
Every time you search for something on the internet, you come face to face with the notion of ‘creative credit and copyright’.
Here’s a quick activity:
- Ask students what they already know about Creative Credit and Copyright.
- Play the video (by Common Sense Media) below and have a discussion about what they think now.
What rights do individuals who create works and post them up for an audience have? You may be surprised at what you find out. Watch this video to find out.
Given this information, how would you act as a digital citizen?
May Contest Winner – Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying – May
When we first started this launch, our theme was ‘Relationships and Communication’. We stated,
“Relationships are built on our understandings of values and beliefs (family, community, cultural community, school). These values impact our behaviours and actions.”
This rings true again for this month’s theme. Cyberbullying is more complex than bullying as internet or any wifi allows a significant amplification of that message. No, it cannot be erased and the old adage of “sticks and stones” do not apply. Watch this video to learn what the RCMP describes as cyberbullying.
Here’s a Cyber Smart Kids Quiz that you can take as a class: https://www.esafety.gov.au/kids-quiz/
Now how does this connect with the person you want to be? Do you have a plan if cyberbullying occurs?
FOR PARENTS:
While there are many sites that students use and this list can change very quickly, what is important to keep in mind is the way in which sites are able to bring together a networked community. How do we help our children negotiate through, analyze and evaluate the content so they make informed decisions? For example, consider Youtube, Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp. They can be great communities where you learn many things, share your creativity and comment on others’ work. They can also be places where negative comments run rampant. Consider this article, Children Ignore Age Limits by Opening Social Media Accounts. While this is a UK article, it is fairly common to hear in our schools, young students saying they have a personal Facebook or other social media account.
Ask your child where their digital conversations reside or that of their friends. A great conversation starter.
Your Digital Footprint and Reputation – April
Have you ever walked on a sandy beach or a muddy trail, turned around only to see your footprints clearly left behind? The same thing happens when you enter the web world but the difference is your online activity can leave a permanent trail… a digital footprint that is a reflection of you. As every digital citizen has a significant amount of control over what is shared and how it is shared, what kind of footprint do you want to create as you walk in your daily digital path?
Don’t sweat! Your digital presence and reputation is in your hands. Choose to build a positive online identity – one that truly represents the kind of person you want to be. Before you share, stop and think about the identity you are choosing to build and maintain, and reflect on how it will affect your reputation now and in the future. Take pride in your digital footprint at any age. People in all walks of life will respond well to a positive online representation of you whether you are 10 or 110! Click here for classroom activities.
Check out other resources on digital footprint and reputation:
- Digital Footprint Animation video from Common Sense Education
- Building Your Brand: Establishing a Positive Presence Online Tip Sheet from MediaSmarts
FOR PARENTS
Continue to have conversations with your child about what they share online and the kind of reputation they are building. Make these discussions a regular everyday topic! Click here for a Family Tip Sheet on Privacy and Digital Footprints from Common Sense Media.