CyberSmart! : Lesson Plans : Private and Personal Information

Private and Personal Information

Download Student Activity Sheet(s) for printout in PDF Format

Overview
Students learn they can converse and share ideas and opinions with others in cyberspace. They adopt a critical thinking process empowering them to protect themselves as they visit sites requesting private identity information.

Objectives

		Distinguish between private identity information and personal information
		Recall that private identity information should not be communicated in cyberspace without permission of a teacher or parent
		Give examples of how the Internet can be used to communicate with others in cyberspace

ISTE^® National Technology Standards

Performance Indicators # 2 and 3

Site Preview

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Online Resources

Visit sites providing background information on Private Identity Information.

Materials

		Activity sheets (2)
		Magazines to cut up; scissors; drawing paper; paste
		Online computer access
		Printer access (optional)

Introduce (offline)

		Explain to students that some Web sites request information before allowing them to participate in an online activity. Point out that they should stop and consider how providing such information may affect their personal safety.
		Tell students that they can stay safe and have fun, too.

Teach 1 (online)

		Have students go to www.becybersmart.org and click on the diamond. Find the title of this lesson, and open its link[s].
		Call students attention to the kinds of information requested. Explain that when they get to such a page, they should stop and consider how providing the information requested may affect their personal safety.

Teach 2 (offline)

		Distribute the activity sheets.
		Have students relate what they read in "A Great Place to Share Ideas," to the site just visited.
		Allow students to discuss their answers to "What should you do?"
		Have students read "Private Identity Information" and "Personal Information," giving them time to add examples of personal information. Discuss their examples, making sure students have not included any Private Identity Information.

Teach 3 (offline)

		Have students complete "Make A Collage."
		Collect the collages and display them on a wall.

Close (offline)

Ask: How is what you have done in your collage similar to what you might do in cyberspace? (They have revealed personal information about themselves but have not revealed their identities.)

Extend (offline)
The following activity can be added for students who completed this lesson in a previous grade.

Direct students to find examples of additional student Web sites that request information about them. When locating sites, have students classify the information requested as private identity information or personal information. Students may report their site findings and classifications to the class.