Edubeacon

Last Monday’s episode of Media Watch on ABC TV highlighted the heartbreak that can stem from a lack of understanding the issues involved in protecting your digital identity.  The woman at the centre of this tragedy had shared photos of her twins, taken at happier moments, with family and friends via Facebook.  Unfortunately, as she had not changed the default privacy settings when establishing her account, the photos were also publicly accessible to her whole geographic location network and, as a consequence, the media. 

In presenting this story, Jonathan Holmes explores the right of the various media organisations to use the family photos without permission.  He canvasses responses from the organisations themselves and concludes with the comment – ‘Facebook users beware.’

Banning access to Facebook and similar online tools does nothing to solve the problem.  The uptake of the interactive Web 2.0 Internet at such a rapid pace in recent years clearly indicates that people like it.  They like what they’re able to do with it and they find it easy to use.  The downside is that they’re often teaching themselves to use these applications and therefore, can overlook some of the critical privacy issues.   

As educators, we have the opportunity and the duty, to develop students as competent digital citizens.   To do this this they must have access to the technology with their learning.  To use the analogy of Will Richardson, you cannot learn to drive a car competently in a driving simulator, similarly, to learn the pitfalls of life online you must be involved in authentic, real time learning situations.  This is the future.  

Cyber [smart:] is a digital citizenship development website that’s been developed by the Australian Media and Communications Authority with the assistance of Education.au.    It’s well categorised and accessible, providing ‘activities, resources and practical advice to help young kids, kids, teens and parents safely enjoy the online world’.  Specific resources are also available for libraries and schools with lesson plans for the classroom and materials that parents can discuss with their children.

Another favoured resource is the ISTE Digital Citizenship resources page associated with the book Digital Citizenship in Schools.  A very useful handout is –  Nine elements of digital citizenship. 

Adina’s Deck uses a novel approach in creating mystery trailers.  They’re good discussion starts for a class. 

Finally, Auction Action is one of the a simple online activities from On Guard Online

There are load of resources out there.  Use the ‘comments’ option on this post to suggest more if you wish.