Technology & Research
With technology we are communicating, reading, writing, socializing, researching, creating, designing, and multitasking more than ever both in- and outside of school.
“The internet is a fact of life in the classroom, so it’s important for teachers and students to understand the tremendous opportunities this medium offers- as well as the issues and challenges it presents” (Web Awareness for Teachers).
Netiquette & the Golden Rule
- Don’t write anything you wouldn’t say in person.
- Treating others as you would want to be treated has long been coined the Golden Rule.
- We must remind ourselves that anything we text, email, or post can be printed, duplicated, and/or used against us in the future. Thus, it is even more important to watch what we say and do within the online environment.
- 10 Golden Rules of Social Media
Manners Matter
- Don't SHOUT in all caps.
- Remember: The person on the other end of a digital communication can't see your expression or hear your tone of voice.
- Cool off before responding to messages in anger.
- Check messages for misspellings or misstatements.
- Respect others' privacy and your own (for example, don't give your number to that new Facebook friend).
- Use a clear and understandable email subject line.
- Adjust your tone and style to the situation (for example, don't use IM-speak or all lowercase letters in a formal letter or email).
- Don't forward private messages to people they weren't intended for or copy others on replies to personal messages.
- Remember: Email is never really private and a copy may exist in cyberspace . . . forever.
- Review, proofread and think before you send. :)
Evaluating Websites
Check the URL and look around!
Check these out to learn more:
Allies and Aliens: A Mission in Critical Thinking from the Web Awareness Network
GetNetWise: You’re One Click Away from the Internet Education Foundation
Techniques to Apply & Questions to Ask from UC Berkeley
**Use the following cloze notes to complete the PowerPoint lesson below on evaluating websites.**
- Is it somebody's personal page? Who wrote it? See the "About us."
- What type of domain does it come from? Choose .gov, .mil, .edu, .org
- Who published the page? Have you heard of this agency or entity before?
- When was the page last updated? How current is the information?
Check these out to learn more:
Allies and Aliens: A Mission in Critical Thinking from the Web Awareness Network
GetNetWise: You’re One Click Away from the Internet Education Foundation
Techniques to Apply & Questions to Ask from UC Berkeley
**Use the following cloze notes to complete the PowerPoint lesson below on evaluating websites.**
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Internet Safety & Your Digital Footprint
The Digital Paper Trail
Definition of a digital footprint: “An expression that refers to the way technology now pervades everyone’s lives, your ‘digital footprint’ specifically describes the trail you leave in cyberspace and on any form of digital communication” (Netlingo). Unlike paper trails, which can ultimately be destroyed or eliminated, "digital paper trails" are recorded and stored at remote locations that you may not even be aware of, and to that degree, there is nothing you can do to erase these records.
Questions and Tips to Ask Yourself:
- Always remember to logoff when finished with online services.
- You leave a trail with every site you visit.
- Have you searched for yourself? What do you find?
- What do you want your reputation to be?
- Be sure to think before you send.
Online Identity: Revealing Too Much
Sending Messages with Screen Names:
- Should not include personal information (real name, phone number)
- Avoid using any suggestive wording (Sexybbe, Lover2u)
- They should not make you easy to locate (address, zip code, school)
Learn More About Your Footprint and Online Safety: Be Cyber(Smart:)
Passwords
Treat your password like your toothbrush; don’t share it with anyone and change it often.
Creating strong passwords:
Common password pitfalls to avoid:
Avoid creating passwords using:
Creating strong passwords:
- Strong = at least eight or more characters
- The longer the better
- Include a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols
Common password pitfalls to avoid:
Avoid creating passwords using:
- Dictionary words in any language Words spelled backwards or common misspellings
- Repeated or sequential characters (888888, abcdefg, 1234)
- Personal information (name, social security number, phone number, address, birthday)