Copyright

=http://www.cybercrime.gov/rules/kidinternet.htm=

Site Description:

The Cyberethics for Kids website is hosted by the United States Department of Justice. The opening page titled, “the INTERNET Know Before You Go Into Cyberspace!” has three subtitles for students to click on. The subtitles, “Are you a Good Cybercitizen?”, “Rules in Cyberspace”, and “You Can Get in Real Trouble for Hacking”, lead students to pages that explain the rules of the Internet.

The“Are you a Good Cybercitizen?” page explains that the Internet is a “place” that has rules for good Cybercitizens to follow. It presents students with real life scenarios that they might encounter while “surfing” the Internet. After reading each scenario students are given three choices. When a student clicks on a choice it reveals whether or not the choice follows the rules and explains what might happen as a result. It also presents them with a “Think about it” section that helps students connect the rules to their life experiences.

“Rules in Cyberspace” presents students with the Do’s and Don’ts of Internet use. The green colored “Do” section tells some of the things students can correctly do on the Internet. The red colored “Don’t” section tells specific things students should not do, as well as giving them warnings.

“You Can Get in Real Trouble for Hacking” reports the story of a group of teenagers that hacked into the phone lines and created problems around the Boston, MA. It also tells how they were caught and the consequences they suffered for their actions.

Below the subtitles are three Teacher links: Cyberethics for Teachers, Model Acceptable Use Policy for IT Resources in Schools, and Cyberethics Web Sites. Cyberethics for Teachers takes teachers to a lesson plan page for using this website. The Cyberethics for Teachers Lesson Plan Outline for Elementary and Middle School Children helps teachers lead discussions on Computer Crime. It also contains links to the Glossary of Computer Crime terms. The links on the left side of the Lesson Plans page provide websites for teacher information and student activities. The “Acceptable Use” policy model for school districts has a good explanation of what are acceptable and unacceptable computer uses. The “Cyberethics Websites” link takes you to the U.S. Justice Department page Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section. This page has links to pages on Internet Safety, Security, and Responsibility. These are great information and resource pages.

Lesson Plan “Cyber Crime” Grade levels: 4-7

PASS Skill Instructional Technology

Standard 2: The student will demonstrate knowledge of social, ethical, and human issues, discuss basic issues related to responsible use of technology and information and describe personal consequences of inappropriate use.

Preparation-Gather three of each of the following items: large boxes, sealed envelopes, flash drive memory stick, fake money, password codes, music cds, pirate flags, small books, and bottles with tamper resistant lids. Put the items in the boxes, seal the boxes tightly, and wrap them in brown paper. Decorate the boxes with pictures of computers.

Instruction-Divide students into three groups. Direct students to “break into the boxes” and look at the items. Tell them to discuss what each item is for or how it is used. Pass out the Cybercrime Glossary. Tell them that each item represents a word from the Glossary. Direct students to match the items with the words and definitions. Tell them to be ready to explain their choices and that there can be more than one answer for some words. Use the lesson plan page and the items to discuss the words in the glossary. Explain to students that by “breaking” into the computer decorated boxes they were representing the term “hacker”.

Computer Instruction-Direct students to read and work through [] When students have completed reading and working through the situational exercises, bring them back to their groups for discussion of the “Do’s and Don’ts” page. Also know and discuss the school district’s Internet policies.

Assessment-Students complete the Matching Quiz of Cyber Crime definitions. Students work with a partner to think of and write their own Cyber Crime scenarios.

Follow up this lesson with activities from the links part of the lesson plans page. The website [|http://www.copyrightkids.org] sponsored by The Copyright Society of the U.S. A. teaches students the basics of Copyright. It includes a Parent/Teachers’ resource page. BSA Cyber Tree House, []  is a fun website for students to play with the knowledge they are acquiring.

The lesson plan “Cyber Crime” can be adapted for grades other than Fourth-Seventh. Second and Third grade teachers could prepare one box and use the items to discuss the Glossary, Do’s and Don’ts page, and then the Scenarios. One of our Second Grade Social Studies PASS objectives is to “ Explain and demonstrate good citizenship (e.g., obeying classroom rules, taking turns, and showing respect for others and their belongings)” []. I will use the Cyber Crime website to show students that they need to be good Cybercitizens. We will use this lesson plan in my Second Grade class to discuss the terms, and then we will go to the computer lab to go to Cyber Tree House so students can use their new knowledge.