Copyright refers to a set of laws, not only in North America but all around the work, that work to protect creators works (Copyright Matters: Some Key Questions & Answers for Teachers. 2016. Retrieved from: http://www.cmec.ca/Publications/Lists/Publications/Attachments/291/Copyright_Matters.pdf). In this case, it plays an important role in keeping our work safe through ensuring our work is not reproduced or used by others without permission. It values the originality of the creators work.
Cybersafety is a topic that is rising alongside the growing use of technology. Within this in mind, cybersafety refers to the ways in which we as teachers, and our students, are able to live safely and securely within a digital world.
When we are engaging in the digital world that we have exposure to today, we are also developing this digital citizenship. In this case, digital citizenships refers to the way in which we develop our own persona online and interact with others - in either appropriate or inappropriate manners (Marcinek. 2011. The Importance of Digital Citizenship in Social Media. Retrieved from https://www.edutopia.org/blog/social-digital-media-citizenship).
As teachers and even as creators ourselves, we want to ensure that our works are protected and credited to us when used. But when we fail to cite/reference or use ones work without permission, as "Copyright Matters!" (2016) mentions, refers to plagarism and is going against the Copyright Act. This becomes a problem because we are not valuing original thinking, and as teachers it is important that we are encouraging our students to use their own thoughts and words in their work - we want them to make and present an authentic piece.
With this in mind, I believe it is important, as teachers, to inform students of the importance of Copyright and originality. Students should feel proud of the work they produce, they should not feel as though they need to take anothers work. To prevent plagiarism it is our job to inform students about Copyright protected materials while also setting the example. By this I mean it is important that we are aware of the materials we are using within our classrooms . (Copyright Matters: Some Key Questions & Answers for Teachers. 2016. Retrieved from: http://www.cmec.ca/Publications/Lists/Publications/Attachments/291/Copyright_Matters.pdf). As well, I believe it is important that students are aware of the consequences that come with plagarism, they need to know what happens following the choices they make.
Since our world has turned to use of technology and social media, it has increased the importance of maintaining a safe internet presence and safe internet interaction. It is important that we as teachers, and students, understand the meaning of cybersafety as it all relates to our ability to use technology and social media safely and securely. When we fail to use these safely and securely there are several consequences that can arise - the loss of a future job to a negative internet persona.
This video, made available on NSTeens, provides several useful videos that can be implemented into the classroom as it discusses a wide range of topics, all of which are important and useful for students to be knowledgeable about. In the case of this video, it specifically targets social networking, which is now a valuable topic to discuss with students as they are beginning to create their own social media forums (i.e. Instagram, Facebook, etc.). Due to this, students need to be aware of the potential dangers that can be associated with social media, whether it is through the posting of inappropriate pictures or even inappropriate discussions to talking to/adding strangers online.
This website also lists several pieces of information under "stuff to know" to further help ensure cybersafety, especially in the digital world. While some of these ideas may seem like common sense it is still important that we are able to have these conversations with our students to help them use and engage with technology and social media safely (i.e. keep personal information private, be careful of images you post, never share your location online, etc.). This video can easily be integrated into an instructional lesson around social media because it encourages students to think about who they are talking to and adding online, while also ensuring that they are taking the safety precautions when creating their own online persona. Here students are able to reflect on the importance of producing and shaping an identify that positively reflects who they are. Not only does it maintain our online personas, but it also makes sure students are not adding or talking to strangers because, as mentioned in the video, you never know who you are talking to behind the screen. As a result, this encourages students to reflect on their posts they put up, while also encouraging them to be cybersafe and cybersmart when creating these online 'public' profiles that can open them up to anyone on the internet which emphasizes the importance of being cybersafe and cybersmart.
While the first video was centered around social networking, this video looks into cyberbullying. With the rise of technology, came the rise of cyberbullying and with this it is important that we discuss these topics with our students. Everything that is exchanged online is not only harmful to the individual, but it is also open to a wider audience that can comment anonomously which can make things even more difficult for the individual. As I mentioned earlier, we must be aware of the things we are posting online as these images or conversations can result in losses of different opportunities like jobs, scholarships, etc.
This video raises an important discussion and can easily be used within the classroom, especially when discussing Health and Physical Education. This not only provides a better description as to what cyberbullying refers to, as well discusses the impacts that can arise from cyberbullying (i.e. fall in self-confidence/self-worth, etc.). As a result, this not only encourages students to be aware of what they are saying and doing online, but it also encourages students to be Cybersmart and Cybersafe.
Digital Citizenship is concerned with the ways in which we are engaging with others online - the way we engage also begins to form an online persona. This emphasizes the importance in being aware of the ways that we are interacting and engaging through these online and social forums. As a result, when we are online there is a specific behaviour or ettiquette that we are to follow since there are always expectations that guide us in how we behave (both in reality and the digital world).
In this section, I will be focusing on this understanding of 'Netiquette' simply refers to, as stated by TechTerms (2017), "Internet etiquette. Just like etiquette is a code of polite behaviour in society, netiquette is a code of good behaviour on the internet" (TechTerms. 2017. "Netiquette." Retrieved from https://techterms.com/definition/netiquette).
Nettiquette rules: