Digital citizenship and internet safety needs to now be taught in the classroom as early as kindergarten. Children are spending time online as early as kinder, if not younger, and need to be educated about the safety that is needed to be protected.
Usually, at an early age, students are taught about "stranger danger", how to respond and react to unsafe situations. These lessons are done by a parent and/or teacher. The idea about teaching internet safety to my fourth graders had made be a bit nervous. I didn't know where to start, how in depth is an appropriate way to go? After reading an article in Edutopia titled, "How to Teach Internet safety to Younger Elementary Students" by Mary Beth Hertz, my doubts had lessened slightly. Hertz describes the transfer of knowledge about how to handle strangers in real life compared to those in virtual environments. She suggests a classroom discussion comparing the two types of "strangers". I can see myself using a compare/contrast chart with my students to identify the key similarities and differences of the two. Hertz also recommended a BrainPop video with a class discussion of key vocabulary and a quiz that is linked to the video. This short lesson plan is a great way to incorporate internet safety in the classroom.
I also liked the 9 key "P's" that were listed in "What Students Really Need to Know About Digital Citizenship" by Vicky Davis. (1. Passwords, 2. Private Info., 3. Personal Info., 4. Photographs, 5. Property, 6. permission, 7. Protection, 8. Professionalism, 9. Personal Brand.) I can see myself having a poster or handout created in elementary language describing these key ideas for digital citizenship in the classroom. Students will be able ti use the 9 "P's" while using the internet.
After reading "How to Keep Your College Admission Offer: Start With Digital Literacy", a quote really stood out to me, "if you wouldn’t want something you posted to end up on a jumbo-tron in Times Square, DO NOT POST IT." This idea of really thinking about what you post is extremely important because it can stay on the internet forever and haunt you in the future. I don't think young adults really think about the repercussions of what they post, it simply doesn't go away. A post should be thought of as being permanent like a tattoo, it might not be seen always, but it is still there.
Usually, at an early age, students are taught about "stranger danger", how to respond and react to unsafe situations. These lessons are done by a parent and/or teacher. The idea about teaching internet safety to my fourth graders had made be a bit nervous. I didn't know where to start, how in depth is an appropriate way to go? After reading an article in Edutopia titled, "How to Teach Internet safety to Younger Elementary Students" by Mary Beth Hertz, my doubts had lessened slightly. Hertz describes the transfer of knowledge about how to handle strangers in real life compared to those in virtual environments. She suggests a classroom discussion comparing the two types of "strangers". I can see myself using a compare/contrast chart with my students to identify the key similarities and differences of the two. Hertz also recommended a BrainPop video with a class discussion of key vocabulary and a quiz that is linked to the video. This short lesson plan is a great way to incorporate internet safety in the classroom.
I also liked the 9 key "P's" that were listed in "What Students Really Need to Know About Digital Citizenship" by Vicky Davis. (1. Passwords, 2. Private Info., 3. Personal Info., 4. Photographs, 5. Property, 6. permission, 7. Protection, 8. Professionalism, 9. Personal Brand.) I can see myself having a poster or handout created in elementary language describing these key ideas for digital citizenship in the classroom. Students will be able ti use the 9 "P's" while using the internet.
After reading "How to Keep Your College Admission Offer: Start With Digital Literacy", a quote really stood out to me, "if you wouldn’t want something you posted to end up on a jumbo-tron in Times Square, DO NOT POST IT." This idea of really thinking about what you post is extremely important because it can stay on the internet forever and haunt you in the future. I don't think young adults really think about the repercussions of what they post, it simply doesn't go away. A post should be thought of as being permanent like a tattoo, it might not be seen always, but it is still there.