Download Student Activity Sheet(s) for printout in PDF Format
Overview
Students consider the concept of cyberspace as a place
and learn that it can be defined as real people communicating
through computers connected to the Internet. They create a map to visually
represent that definition, taking into account the influences of population,
language and geography around the world.
Objectives
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Explain that cyberspace is not a physical place but can be defined
as real people communicating through computers connected to the Internet |
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Draw a map to illustrate their understanding of the concept of
cyberspace |
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Explain how variations in population, languages spoken, and geography
are reflected in their maps of cyberspace |
ISTE® National Technology Standards
Site Preview
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No Internet site is used in this lesson. |
Online Resources
Materials
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Activity sheets (2) |
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Colored pencils |
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Atlases; world map |
Introduce
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Have each student write down his or her own definition of "cyberspace"
and invite volunteers to share their definitions. Tell students that
they will return to these definitions at the end of the lesson. |
Teach 1
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Distribute the activity sheets. Read and discuss "Is cyberspace
real?" guiding students to understand that cyberspace is not a physical
place and yet the interactions that take place there involve real
people. |
Teach 2
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Before completing the mapping activity, have the class brainstorm
ways to approach the challenge of visually representing cyberspace,
including what symbols to use. For example, they may visualize cyberspace
as a loosely woven fabric or a cloud of dots. |
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Tell students to work lightly in regular pencil until they have
finalized their plans for the map. |
Teach 3
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Have students return to their definitions of cyberspace and revise
them as needed. |
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Display the maps and definitions together and allow volunteers
to share their results. |
Close
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Ask: In what ways is cyberspace
real? (It involves real people using real computers to communicate
real information and ideas) |
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Ask: What do your maps tell us about cyberspace? |
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Ask: What does cyberspace look like over the oceans? |
Extend
The following activity can be added for students who completed this lesson
in a previous grade.
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Have students use search engines or directories to find Web sites
containing interesting information about the growth of cyberspace
and the Internet. |
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Cyberspace World