safety+lesson+plan

=Teaching Safe Behavior When Using Web 2.0 Technologies=

Objectives

 * Students will use wikispaces to create a mathematics dictionary for geometry and algebraic terms
 * Students will use Flickr to find pictures to illustrate their mathematics terms
 * Students will use technology appropriately and in accordance with the assignment

Technology used and explanation of how it will be used
We will be using **wikispaces** to create our online math dictionary. Within our main vocabulary page, there will be links to new pages for each new mathematics term. Students will need to find at least one picture from **Flickr** to illustrate each vocabulary word and include that picture on the wikipage. They will need to cite their picture appropriately and explain how the picture illustrates the term.

Description of expected student behavior

 * Students will choose appropriate pictures from Flickr to illustrate their words.
 * Students will contribute to other vocabulary pages with the goal of improving the definitions and images.
 * Students will usie the discussion feature of wikispaces to collaborate with one another as they build their vocabulary pages.
 * Students will use Flickr and wikispaces appropriately and remain on task when they are given computer time.

Procedures
After returning a signed permission letter to use wikispaces, each student will create a wiki account using their first initial and their last name (when possible). Using the smart board and student laptops, I will illustrate with students how to navigate within wikispaces. We will create a class page where students can practice making a post, checking the history, contributing to the discussion, etc. Within this class page, we will generate our list of vocabulary words and have students sign up for particular words that they'd like to create the vocabulary page for. At most, three students are responsible for each vocabulary word (although other students can contribute and add to the definition if they'd like). Additionally, each student must sign up for at least four vocabulary words. Each definition page must have at least one photo illustrating the concept (although additional images are encouraged). Students will be given class time in the computer lab to search for images and create their vocabulary pages.

In order to make sure students understand how to safely use wikispaces, we will discuss how they should not post any identifying information about themselves on the page (such as full name, city/address, email address, etc.). We will also not post any identifying information about our school on the wiki.

As a group, we will also practice using Flickr and discuss how to insert pictures into the wikispace and cite them appropriately. We will talk about the importance of citing pictures and giving credit to the originator of the image. Additionally we will learn how to annotate different parts of pictures so that students can really show how the picture illustrates the concept. Finally, we will discuss appropriate versus inappropriate pictures and content.

In order to make sure students use Flickr safely, we will discuss posting pictures online and how posting pictures of oneself (especially if identifying information is attached) can be dangerous. Although our primary purpose within Flickr will be to find pictures already created, there is still an opportunity to discuss safety (with regard to posting) because some students may continue to use Flickr after we're fininshed with the project.

Responses to inappropriate content

 * Flickr**: We will discuss as a group what students should and should not do if they come across inappropriate pictures in their Flickr searches. We will talk about why it's a good idea to simply hit the "back" button and not bring attention to the inappropriate photo. We will also talk about how sharing the inappropriate pictures with classmates distracts from the task at hand and creates a less than ideal working environment.


 * Wikispaces**: We will discuss appropriate versus inappropriate pictures as a group and make it clear that the picture posted on the wikispace can be traced back to the person who posted it; thus if someone posts an inappropriate picture, they will be given a zero for the assignment and disciplined in accordance with the wiki permission letter and school policy. We will also discuss how to modify someone else's wikipage with integrity and for the benefit of the page (as opposed to sabatoging someone's page that they worked hard on). We will discuss how any changes made in bad taste can be easily reversed and how the person who made the change can be traced via their username. As with the inappropriate pictures, any student who deliberately posts inapporpriate information to the wikispace will be disciplined and removed from the project.

Dear Parents,
This semester, we will be working as a class on a collaborative online project using two websites, wikispaces.com and flickr.com. The goal of our project will be to create a math dictionary with real-world pictures to illustrate the concepts. We will collaborate and create our own online math dictionary using Wikispaces, and we will find the pictures for the page using Flickr. Students will be responsible for contributing to pages for different vocabulary words.

Understanding Wikispaces and Flickr

 * Wikispaces**: Wikispaces is a website where students can collaborate to create webpages of their own. Each student will create their own wiki account and then all postings made to the webpage can be traced back to them. In order to prevent others from editing the site, only students in the class will be "invited" to join the wikispace, and therefore only students from the class will be able to make changes to the page (although anyone online will be able to view the page if they wish). Making the wikispace "private" (so that only our students can enter information) will also help with security because if the site is tampered with, it would have to be done by someone in the class.
 * Flickr**: Flickr is a place where anyone can store, edit, or find pictures about almost anything. Creating an account is free (as long as you don't post too many images per month). Our students will have the option of creating an account or just searching the site without an account and copying the pictures they decide to use. One risk with using Flickr is that occasionally an inappropriate image may come up in a search result; however, since we'll be searching for terms related to mathematics, hopefully this will not occur. We've talked as a class about what to do if an inappropriate picture surfaces and students are aware that they should simply hit the "back" button to exit the page without discussing the picture or the content.

I would strongly encourage you to check out Flickr for yourself and search for images that might interest you. Additionally, we hope that you will check out our wikipages as we create them so that you can get a better understanding of what we're "building" together.

How the Project Will Work/ Assessment
Within wikispaces students will sign up for different vocabulary words and create a new page for each word. There is a discussion component on each page where students can talk about how to best define and illustrate the concept. Also, other students (and I) can contribute to the discussion and offer suggestions to the page creator. Wikispaces also allows you to see who made what changes or edits to each page and how often the page was edited. This will help me to give students credit for participating in the project and give me an understanding of who contributed what to each page.

We will also discuss as a group how to appropriately cite any pictures that are used from Flickr. In most cases, the people who post images to Flickr have no problem with others using the images as long as they're cited back to their original creator.

Students will be graded on their contribution to the project and discussions. Each student will be resposible for contributing to four vocabulary word pages.

Security
This project should pose no security risk to your child. The only information included about them will be their wikispace "name" (which will be some form of their first and last name). No other information about the students (such as their age, location, etc.) will be posted.

Permission
If you feel that this assignment creates a worthwhile opportunity for your child to participate in a collaborative learning environment, please sign the permission form below (after reading the terms and conditions).

Terms and Conditions
1. I will use wikispaces in accordance with the project and contribute only information that I believe will enhance the page. 2. I will use Flickr in accordance with the project and will only post appropriate pictures relevant to my topic. 3. I will participate in the discussion and work collaboratively with my group to create our vocabulary pages. 4. I will remain on task when given computer time in school and will use the computers with care.

Students who cannot follow the rules stated above (or who fail to return this consent form) will no longer be able to participate in the activity and will complete an alternative assignment (without the use of technology).

//I have read the terms and conditions above and give permission for my child to participate in the project.// Parent Signature: Date:

//I have read the terms and conditions above and agree to follow them.// Student Signature: Date: