For Teachers and Parents

The content of MyFootprintSD is designed to make students cognizant of their digital footprint. In that way, it helps students be aware of what is safe and what is risky when using the web or other digital communication tools. In working through it, students will grow aware of how far these kinds of tools spread into their lives and how large the effects of their use can be (for better or for worse).

Lessons and activities are explained here for educators but directions are included on the students' portion of the website as well.

Table of Contents

An extended note on the project

Secondary Lesson

Objectives

  • Explain the basic components involved with using digital technology responsibly.
  • Identify risky behaviors that teenagers engage in when using digital technology
  • Evaluate specific examples of risky behavior with digital technology
  • Create specific advice for others about how to use digital technology tools well (and to avoid poor uses)
  • Explain what it means to create a good footprint on the web

Instructions

  • See the handbook page for instructions about putting the guide together.

 

Elementary Lesson

Objectives

  • Identify types of information that should be kept private when on line
  • Create rules/guidelines (reminders) about how to be nice to others while on computers

Basic Instructions

  • Guide students in the creation of their own TOP SECRET folders. For each of the items that go in the folders, have them make little pictures of the top secret things. Make the pictures fun and memorable and get the students to add one or two others that they can think of for their folders (they might add the names of their soccer teams or names of their brothers and sisters, or they might talk about something else even). Non-artists can write little poems or stories for a few of the items. For a list of the top secret items, see the top secret folder story.
  • In addition, have students write on the back of their folders some reminders or rules about being nice online. Younger students might draw pictures to represent particular acts of kindness and courtesy.
  • Make the top secret folder out of construction paper. Larger folders can be made by stapling together two pieces. Smaller folders can be made by folding one piece of construction paper in half.

 

Assorted Links & Credits