Cyber citizenship in your classroom by

Cyber citizenship

fred_maxj — 2017-04-07 22:36:07 UTC

What is a good cyber citizen?

Not limited to cyberbullying and netiquette (net and etiquette), being a good cyber citizen means one is aware of their online presence and takes action to reduce their chances of exposure to the negative effects of the Internet.

Exploring the usefulness of school education about risks on social network sites: A survey study

fred_maxj — 2017-04-07 22:36:44 UTC

In Vanderhoven's paper, the authors explain how students using social networking sites (SNS) are engaging in risky behaviours like sharing passwords and other personal information. The purpose of this research was, therefore, to see how much students care about their privacy, the extent of their unsafe SNS behaviour, and the effects of school education on privacy care & safety.
Unfortunately, it was found that many of the students were unfamiliar with online privacy policies of the sites they used. Furthermore, many did not care about online privacy; an attitude that has lead to harm and negative experiences on SNS. The group most likely to engage in this type of risky behaviour were found to be young males. Of these participants, the most common types of information shared included first names, last names, pictures of self, personal videos and the name of city/town they lived in. However, school education on privacy care greatly reduce risky behaviour within all ages and genders

Is privacy at risk when commercial websites target primary school children? A case study in korea.

fred_maxj — 2017-04-07 22:41:25 UTC

In Kim's article on children's looked at the information being collected on child targeting websites and what children and parents were doing to protect themselves. Due to a recent explosion of child exclusive sites, a shift can be seen in the increased purchasing power in children. As consumers leave a trail of purchasing information when they sign up for these types of websites, privacy may be at risk depending on the information that can be gathered by the sites, which can include passwords, credit cards, and social security information.
After analyzing over 200 websites that are recommended by local children's programs, only 50.8% of the sites required actual parental consent. Interestingly, it was found that 82% of child-targeting websites employed a mailing service that required private information to register. Many of these sites even omitted important information in their policies, including the purpose for the information being collected and to whom the information was given. It is, therefore, suggested that children use internet sites with parents, and more resources should be given to teaching children and parents how to use internet sites.

Research limitations

fred_maxj — 2017-04-07 22:41:40 UTC

Unfortunately, many of the information that is being collected on cyber citizenship and privacy is from the preadolescence's point of view. Due to the fact that social networking sites and online content are used more by the older students, there is a lack of findings from students of the primary and junior age groups. However, seeing the rise in technology use in people of all ages, it is hopeful that more research will look into the impact of social networking sites on student's privacy.

Why bring online privacy to your classroom? Relationships to curriculum

fred_maxj — 2017-04-07 22:41:58 UTC

Due to technology becoming more accessible in schools, increasing awareness for cyber citizenship plays a large role in creating healthy social and physical environments. As a part of the foundations for a healthy school, being aware of the social aspects of technology is crucial for students in this day and age. Furthermore, these skills also fall under the healthy living strand of the health curriculum, as it helps to teach students how to assess risks while using the internet.

Cyber citizenship and the Curriculum

fred_maxj — 2017-04-07 22:42:54 UTC

(Background) To be a good cyber citizen:

fred_maxj — 2017-04-07 22:43:05 UTC

Respect others: Treat your friends online the same you would in person. Keep mean comments to yourself!
Careful of what you post or share online: Once something is online, it is there forever! Be careful of sites that you visit and the types of information you put down when signing up for websites
Protect yourself and others. Make sure you double check the privacy setting on social media and other websites!
Don't steal online content: Make sure to cite information you use in your own work to avoid plagiarism.
Make sure others are safe too: share what you know about online safety and etiquette so everyone is aware.

Resources on cyber citizenship for teachers

fred_maxj — 2017-04-08 20:54:27 UTC

Center for Democracy & Technology: Provides information on the latest Internet policies and issues. (www.cdt.org)
Jo Cool or Jo Fool: Online cyber tours for more advanced students. ( www.media-awareness.ca/english/special_initiatives/games/joecool_joefool/jo_cool_teachers.cfm)
Disney’s Surf Swell Island: Internet safety activities for all ages. Focus on privacy, viruses, and netiquette. ( disney.go.com/family/surfswell )

Why is research on cyber citizenship and privacy important?

fred_maxj — 2017-04-08 21:44:16 UTC

Many teachers did not grow up using computers, and therefore may not understand the risks associated with the internet. Although students are becoming much more tech-savvy, many still don't realize the importance of protecting your privacy from potential online companies or predators. Furthermore, many students perceive that they are anonymous when online, and therefore feel that their actions are without consequences. Fortunately, as research has shown, we as educators can make a difference in the way students approach the Internet and other types of social network services.

Potential lessons on cyber citizenship and privacy

fred_maxj — 2017-04-09 05:37:39 UTC

The goal of privacy and cyber citizenship should be to empower students to be more aware of the types of information they are putting out onto the web. Although it can be a very serious topic, teachers should never resort to scaring the students about the dangers of the Internet. The following is an example of how educators can introduce the topic.

Cyber citizenship and privacy lesson example:

fred_maxj — 2017-04-09 05:44:24 UTC

The goal of the lesson: Understand the importance of maintaining your privacy when online.
Curriculum expectation: Grade 4-Personal Safety and Injury Prevention

C1.2 identify risks associated with communications technology (e.g., Internet and cell phone use, including participation in gaming and online communities and the use of text messaging), and describe precautions and strategies for using these technologies safely

Materials: Paper, post-it note, pen, 1 envelope
Procedure:

Write two different notes on the paper and post-it note, do not show what is the message
Fold the paper and place that one in an envelope. Leave the post-it note as it is.
Have students line up in two lines.
Explain to the students that you are trying to send a message to the student at the end of each line.
Pass the notes, one for each line down the line.
Ask the class what they think your message on the paper. If things work out, a child or two may have looked at the post-it note and will volunteer to share what the message was.
Now, ask if anyone knew what the paper in the envelope said, nobody other than the student will know.
Explain that the post-it note is like putting personal information online without awareness of the privacy settings. On the other hand, putting it in an envelope is making sure your information is private, which protects both you as well as your friends from strangers on the internet.
Follow the activity with group work where students will brainstorm different ways they can protect their information that is online.
Conclude with a sharing circle and a discussion on the what it means to be a good cyber citizen. Next, discuss the open nature of the internet and the lack of privacy that can occur on the internet.

Implications for the classroom

fred_maxj — 2017-04-09 05:48:49 UTC

As explained in Vanderhoven, school education on privacy care and cyber citizenship correlate to decreased risky behaviour in students. The implications of this lesson therefore is to increase awareness within students and even teachers on the importance of protecting their privacy on the internet. Specifically, internet safety is also covered in the curriculum for grade 4. Lessons can also be created based on this research on cyber citizenship, with a focus on providing concrete examples of scenarios that can potentially endanger their safe internet experience. By educating students on signs of unsafe internet usage, it is possible to promote safe behaviour in students which may eventually lead to a healthier school environment.

References

fred_maxj — 2017-04-09 19:31:58 UTC

Kim, S., & Yi, S. (2010). Is privacy at risk when commercial websites target primary school children? A case study in korea. Children & Society, 24(6), 449-460.

Ontario Ministry of Education. (2015). The Ontario Curriculum, grades 1-8. Health and Physical Education. Toronto: Ontario, Ministry of Education.

Vanderhoven, E., Schellens, T., & Valcke, M. (2013). Exploring the usefulness of school education about risks on social network sites: A survey study. Journal of Media Literacy Education, 5(1), 285-294.

fred_maxj — 2017-04-09 19:41:52 UTC

fred_maxj — 2017-04-09 19:43:39 UTC

fred_maxj — 2017-04-09 19:45:03 UTC

fred_maxj — 2017-04-09 19:46:41 UTC

Other lesson ideas about online privacy

fred_maxj — 2017-04-09 19:50:43 UTC

fred_maxj — 2017-04-09 19:52:19 UTC

fred_maxj — 2017-04-09 19:55:17 UTC

fred_maxj — 2017-04-09 19:56:38 UTC