Unit 3.3. Protect: Health & Wellness

What is Digital Health & Wellness?

Digital Health & Wellness:   physical and psychological well-being in a digital technology world.

Eye safety, repetitive stress syndrome, and sound ergonomic practices are issues that need to be addressed in a new technological world.  Beyond the physical issues are those of the psychological issues that are becoming more prevalent such as Internet addiction.  Users need to be taught that there are inherent dangers of technology. Digital Citizenship includes a culture where technology users are taught how to protect themselves through education and training."

Lesson Topics

Each numbered section in the right column begins a 20-minute lesson with the following topics:

3.3.a. Time Online

3.3.b. Social Networking

3.3.c. Gaming

Lesson Format

• Facilitator lesson script

1. Video: View the video or Web page

2. Essential question: The student facilitator poses the question or issue you are to consider

3. Think / Ink: Individually think about your personal reaction to the video and write your response to the essential question on your Journal page. 5 minutes.

4. Discuss: Participate in a class discussion comparing your response to that of other students. 5-10 minutes.

5. Conclusion: The facilitator can summarize and present a possible consensus to the question, or decide to disagree. 2 minutes. Collect student Journals.

3.3.b. Social Networking

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Video: If available through your school district or school site, view the BrainPop with Tim and Moby talking about "Social Networking." This video requires your school or personal password. No matter how old you are, you might still learn something.  

Essential questions: Take the quiz and write the answers in your Journal.

Think/Ink and Discuss

3.3.b. Social Networking

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Video: Click this link to see the YouTube video, "Social Networking in Plain English . 

Essential questions: Is it good that social networking allows you to see so many people who would otherwise be hidden from you? Do you see any problems with this?

Think/Ink and Discuss

3.3.b. Social Networking

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Video: This little Web character reviews "Do's and don'ts when using social networks."

Essential questions: Write down one or two rules that are new to you. But aren't you entitled to do whatever you want? It's your account. What could go wrong?

Think/Ink and Discuss

3.3.b. Social Networking

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Web page: From digizen.org's Social Networking Detective: Click on and examine the sample social networking profile.

Activity: Write down three red flag problems with this post. Be ready to tell what should have been done instead.

Think/Ink and Discuss

3.3.b. Social Networking statistics

Video: View "Think Time: Teens and Social Networks"

Essential questions: These statistics are from June of 2012, so are even higher by now. What do the numbers tell you? Think of one thing that struck you and tell what effect it has on you and your friends.

Think/Ink and Discuss

3.3.b. Social Networking: Problems

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Web page: Read and think. There are five sections to this article: "Remind Kids that Online Actions Have Consequences," from "OnGuardOnline," "Kids and Socializing Online."

Essential questions: Pretend you are the parent. Choose one item from each of the five sections that you think is especially important to tell your child. Be ready to defend your choices.

Think/Ink and Discuss

3.3.c. Gaming

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Video: Watch this NSTeens video by clicking on this link: "Gaming."

Essential questions: How much time do you spend gaming? Think about your gaming habits and your reasons for gaming. Do you know the people you game with? If not, does it make you feel uncomfortable?

Think/Ink and Discuss

3.3.c. Gaming: Attitude

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Video: View this NSTeens video, "Attitude Overdrive." (Or on YouTube.)

Essential questions: When you play games, do you forget your opponent is another person? Do you know someone who has a personality change when they game?

Think/Ink and Discuss

3.3.c. Gaming Addiction

Video: View this YouTube video: "Video Game Addiction."

Essential questions: Is this boy having fun? Is his constant gaming okay and healthy? Why or why not?

3.3.c. Gaming activity

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Web page: Read this article on "Video Games" (See direction #1 below: The jury should NOT read the article.)

Whole class Activity: Pretend you are in a courtroom and video gaming is on trial. 

1) Divide the class in half. Each side should choose three people who will become the "jury." The jury should NOT read the article, and should be seated in six chairs at the front of the room away from the discussions.

2) One-half of the class are Prosecutors. They will read the section on "Negative Aspects" and write down key points about what is most negative, or harmful, about online video gaming. The other half of the class are Defense Attorneys. They will read the section on "Positive Aspects" and write down key points about what is positive about gaming. Allow 5 minutes for the article to be read SILENTLY.

3) Each side should select a spokesperson who will present their "case" to the jury. Allow each side 5 minutes to discuss their case and help the spokesperson decide what to say to best represent their argument for or against video gaming. 

4) Allow 2 minutes for each spokesperson to present their "case" to the jury. Allow a few minutes for the jury to "deliberate" before giving their "decision." 

Result: The student Tech Team facilitator or the teacher can be the "judge" and break a tie. Does online gaming help or hurt success in school?