Yesterday I introduced the concept of digital citizenship. I presented digital and social media in a positive light rather than explaining the negative elements that usually sensationalized and over dramatized by the news. However, every teacher should present the negative, dark side of social media and empower their students with lessons to prevent these abuses from happening.
Today we will be doing just that. Depending on your class time from yesterday, your presentations on social and digital media tools may have leaked over into two class periods. If this is the case simply push back one day. Today’s lesson will similarly model yesterday’s lesson, but focus on the negative side of technology use.
Objectives:
Students will be able to define the negative impact of digital and social media
Students will be able to demonstrate the negative impact of digital and social media
Process:
1. Have students arrange in groups of 2-3 (depending on your class size and structure)
2. Present each group a social and digital media tool
- Skype
- Flickr
- iPhone or iPod Touch
- YouTube
3. Once each group has their tool, briefly explain what each tool is and its function. Most of the tools are common knowledge, but provide some background information in case students are unaware.
4. Have students work together on a Google Doc that is shared with you. In their groups, they must address the following questions when they present their findings to each other and on their blogs:
- How can my tool be used to distract or impede learning in my high school classes?
- How can my tool hurt my image and my talents to a college admissions board?
- How can my tool hurt my chances of landing a job?
- How can my tool hurt the reputation of one of my peers?
Once you have presented these questions, allow students some time to work together researching the tool they have been given and developing their ideas. Depending on your class time you may wish to have them work on this project for more than one day or if you have the luxury of a block schedule, you can easily finish this task in one period. Again, this lesson is simply the antithesis of yesterday’s lesson on positive impacts of social and digital media. You may chose a different method of presenting these contrasting ideas, but make sure you cover both sides of these new learning tools and platforms. Allow your students to see different perspectives on how these tools can be used to both empower and hurt themselves and their peers.
5. The final part of this project will be to have students present their tool to the class. They may use any method or form of presentation. As an exit slip or homework assignment, have students write a reflection blog on the tool they presented and one of the tools that was presented by another group.