A WebQuest for 7th Grade on Using the Internet Safely


|Introduction | Task | Process | Sources | Evaluation |Conclusion| Credits


Introduction

Through the magic of technology you are now a parent of a middle school student. As a parent, you know how dangerous the Internet can be for a child or teenager. There are a lot of "wolves" out there. A group of parents are concerned with how safe it is for their child to use the Internet. You have volunteered to help the parent committee to learn more about ways to use the Internet safely for children.

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The Task

The parents in the group are very concerned about their children using the Internet. The following concerns have been raised by the committee:

  1. Dealing with stalkers and people who might lure their children into contacting the stalker or hurting them.
  2. Identity or credit card theft.
  3. Pornography.
  4. Hateful e-mail messages or web sites.
  5. How should a parent talk with their children about using the Internet?
  6. Where and how to report Internet crime?
  7. What is filtering software and is it necessary?
  8. Are there games or activities online to help children understand about Internet safety?
  9. What are other dangers dealing with using the Internet?
Because of your wonderful knowledge about computers, (thanks to your middle school computer teacher) you volunteer to do some research about Internet safety, answer the concerns raised by the committee, and share it with the parents (the class). At the end, the parents will have a good understanding, as well as your group, on how to use the Internet safely and how a parent and/or the child be protected while using the super information highway! You are now ready to get started on the task. Before you begin, form a group of 3 people and choose one of the positions to fill the following jobs:

  • The Researcher finds the appropriate information on ways of how to use the Internet safely.

  • The Graphic Designer designs and inputs the information as it becomes available and develops it onto a PowerPoint presentation.

  • The Educational Specialist (a nice word for teacher) works with researcher as well as the graphic designer to make sure the message is being communicated clearly to the parents. The Specialist will also present the slide show to the parent group (the class).

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The Process

Once you have chosen a role, the following are specific responsibilities:

  1. Everyone at first will assist the Researcher to find information about the topics as described above until the group has enough information to start the PowerPoint presentation. The Researcher will then continue to find, gather, and organize the information to give to the other members of the group. Remember where you obtained the information so you can cite your sources. If you do not remember how to use citations for the Internet, take an example sheet from the class room bulletin board.

  2. As the information becomes available, the Graphic Designer will begin creating the PowerPoint presentation. Your job is to get the information to the parents in the most effective way possible. You want the presentation to be visually pleasing (nice to look at) and send the message to the parents loud and clear.

      The PowerPoint presentation must include the following:
    • a minimum of 8 slides that includes a title page and a slide for citations
    • each slide contains at least one graphic or image
    • there is at least 2 different types of slide transitions
    • animated text or images/clip art
    • there are hyperlinks to some good resources on the Internet or hyperlinks within the slide presentation
    • appropriate information presented

  3. The Education Specialist will assist both the Researcher and Graphic Designer during this process to ensure that the information your group gathers will answer the parents' questions. Also, you will present the PowerPoint presentation to the parent group. Make sure you thoroughly rehearse your presentation so that you are comfortable and knowledgeable about the information that you are offering.

  4. Once the project is completed, your group is going to present to parents (the computer class) what you have learned about using the Internet safely.
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Sources

Below are several web sites you can find information about Internet safety. Remember to cite your sources.

http://www.safetyed.org/ -Internet safety resources
http://www.tenet.edu/parents/internet.html -Resources for parents about Internet safety
http://disney.go.com/investors/wdig/legal/safety_tips.html#q3 - Disney tips on reporting crime
http://www.safekids.com/- A thorough site on safety
http://www.getnetwise.org/-Another thorough site on safety
http://family.yahoo.com/family/parents/- Links to make surfing the Internet a family adventure
http://www.missingkids.com/quiz/internetquiz.html- Safety quiz for kids.
http://www.kidscomjr.com/games/safety/safety.html-learn about Internet Safety while playing a game.

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Evaluation

Your group will be graded based on the following rubric:


  Beginning 1 Developing 2 Accomplished 3 Exemplary 4 Score
Working as a group Each person works independently. Some people help others. People in the group help each other. Everyone works together to produce a group project.  
Researcher Look at most of the resources. Uses information from one or two resources. Uses information from three to four resources and uses cites most of the resources. Uses most of the resources and add information.Cites all sources.  
Graphic Designer Creates the PowerPoint presentation. Presents the information clearly. Uses some of the “bells and whistles" to make the presentation more appealing. Uses images, sound, transitions and animations, hyperlinks, etc. to present the information.  
Education Specialist Presents the PowerPoint presentation only. Assists with the development of the presentation and presents it well. Assists, presents, and makes sure that the presentation answers the parents' questions. Assists, presents, and makes sure that the presentation answers the parents' questions, as well as making sure the presentation is a good educational product and teaches the information.  

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Conclusion

The parent committee is very grateful for the information and the presentation as well as all your hard work. With what the group has learned and accomplished,the parents no longer feel overwhelmed with all that is out there on the Internet. They now feel more at ease with their children using the Internet. Good job and thanks!

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Credits

Graphics from:
http://images.google.com/images?q=computer&hl=en
http://www.barrysclipart.com
http://gifworks.com
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Created and Designed by
Angie Lee Crockwell
crockwellal@franklin.k12.ma.us