Safety on the Web

I must say that this weeks assignment was an extremely disturbing one.  Because I am not that old, I used the internet often as an elementary, junior high and high school student.  Although this is the case, I feel so far removed from what young people are exposed to on the web today.  Doing the research for my mind map, I read about online marketing and pornography both aimed at young people or easily accessed by young people.  I also explored the threat of online predators, cyber bullying and privacy invasion.  Although the internet has made access to useful information much easier for students, it has also made access to children much easier for predators, bullies and individuals interested in using the identity of others.  

As a future educator, I am aware that I will have to deal with all of these problems at some point in time. The question is, what is the best way?  Educating children on the dangers of internet use BEFORE they are exposed to any of the aforementioned problems is key.  I, like many others, hope that through education, the ugly side of the internet will be tamed.  The internet is such a wonderful resource for information and communication that it is important that we find a safe way for students to use it.  

Internet Search and Inquiry

Grade 6 Social Studies – Historical Models of Democracy

Students will work in groups of two to develop a PowerPoint presentation on the historical models of Democracy as seen in Ancient Athens and the Iroquois Confederacy.  Students will be required to use the Internet in order to gather information.  Although students will be provided with a number of specific websites that can be used for the assignment, they will need to use effective Internet searches in order to find additional information.

Review of Effective Internet searches:

Welcome to the Web. (2009).  Searching Online.  Retrieved October 10, 2010, from   http://www.teachingideas.co.uk/welcome/5214.htm

General Learning Outcome (Found in the Alberta Program of Study):

Students will demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of the democratic principles exemplified by ancient Athens and the Iroquois Confederacy.

Specific Learning Outcomes (Found in the Alberta Program of Study):

Students will:

6.2.1 appreciate the relationship between the values of a society and the model of government adopted within a society

6.2.2 value the role of participation by citizens in diverse democratic societies

6.2.3 analyze the structure and functions of the democratic system in ancient Athens by exploring and reflecting upon the following questions and issues:

• How was the government of ancient Athens structured?

• How did the structure of the government in ancient Athens provide opportunities for citizens to participate in decision making?

• How did the social structure of ancient Athens impact its political structure?

• To what extent were democratic ideals of equity and fairness part of the structure of government and society in ancient Athens?

 6.2.4 analyze the structure and functions of the Iroquois Confederacy by exploring and

reflecting upon the following questions and issues:

• How was the Iroquois Confederacy structured?

• How did the Six Nations use the consensus-building process?

• How did the social structure of the Iroquois Confederacy impact its political structure?

• To what extent did the decision-making process within the Iroquois Confederacy reflect democratic ideals of equity and fairness?

Online Resources:

Ancient Greece. (1996).  Athens.  Retrieved October 10, 2010, from http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~dee/GREECE/ATHENS.HTM

Big Orrin.  (2009).  Iroquois Indian Fact Sheet.  Retrieved October 10, 2010, from http://www.bigorrin.org/iroquois_kids.htm

History for Kids.  (2009).  Democracy.  Retrieved October 10, 2010, from http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/government/democracy.htm

Multicultural Canada, Iroquoians.  (n.d.) Politics and Intergroup Relations.  Retrieved October 10, 2010, from http://www.multiculturalcanada.ca/Encyclopedia/A-Z/a6/8

Primary History.  (2009).  Athens.  Retrieved October 10, 2010, from http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryhistory/ancient_greeks/athens/

The Canadian Encyclopedia. (2010).  Iroquois.  Retrieved October 10, 2010, from http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com:80/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0004060

Related ICT Outcomes (Found in the Alberta Program of Study):

-       Students will organize information gathered from the Internet, or an electronic source, by selecting and recording the data in logical files or categories; and by communicating effectively, through appropriate forms, such as speeches, reports and multimedia presentations, applying information technologies that serve particular audiences and purposes

-       Students will access and retrieve appropriate information from the Internet by using a specific search path or from given uniform resource locations (URLs)

-       Students will create a multimedia presentation, incorporating such features as visual images (clip art, video clips), sounds (live recordings, sound clips) and animated images, appropriate to a variety of audiences and purposes

-       Students will access available databases for images to support communication

Why Use Technology Integration?

The use of technology, especially in a social studies classroom, provides students with more resources to acquire the information they need to make sense of the curriculum topics.  Without the Internet, students would be required to find all information in books and printed resources.  This is not always an easy task and it is definitely not a very exciting task either.  Presenting the information by way of PowerPoint also gives students a chance to be creative with the information that they have found.  Designing a PowerPoint that their teacher and peers will see gives students the motivation to do their best work and find information that others will find interesting and useful.