School & Curriculum Information
What is the Purpose of this Website?
The Wingra Tech site is a resource used by all levels to access activities both during and after the school day. From this website, Wingra students and families can access login pages for accounts (including the school library), find forms and videos as part of class activities, take part in class and studio-related activities and games, and so much more! The Tech site is not a part of every Tech lesson, but it is an accessible and navigable tool when we do use it.
Please feel free to navigate around the Tech website for a peek at different levels' pages to see how each level interacts with this webpage.
Please feel free to navigate around the Tech website for a peek at different levels' pages to see how each level interacts with this webpage.
Digital Citizenship
What is Digital Citizenship, anyway?
Digital Citizenship is a term that encompasses a variety of key ideas: engaging kindly and respectfully with others online, identifying trustworthy sources (and giving credit when using them), and using technology to support others and to make your voice heard are all facets of Digital Citizenship. Overall, our focus is to understand and put into practice how to be safe, secure, kind, and appropriate with our device usage while learning about the many ways we can use technology as a helpful tool. At Wingra, we explore these concepts through books, games, partner work, videos, and in-depth discussions about our digital presences. Each level focuses on specific questions and ideas during our Digital Citizenship Units. Click on the levels to the right to explore each one! |
Nest
Social Justice is integrated in the Nest when students learn about the topic of internet safety and being a digital citizen. We also discuss how computers can use used as a tool and times when it is okay and not okay to be on a device. We Ask Ourselves: What is technology? What does “using technology responsibly” mean? When can I take a picture of another person? Why do people leave bad comments on the internet? What is “screen time” and why is that important? How am I supposed to handle technology tools and what can I do with them?? Pond
Pond students continue to learn about digital citizenship and social justice. They learn what it means to stay safe on the internet. Ponders also look into the safety and appropriateness of online communications such as online chatting, commenting, and posting. We Ask Ourselves: When should I leave a comment online? What do I do if someone says a mean thing? Who do I ask for help when something doesn’t work? Can I figure this out myself? How do I safely search the internet to find more information about a specific topic? Lake
In the Lake, we focus on respecting the privacy of each other’s work and accounts, using resources in a manner that is safe and mindful, and examining the digital world and its effects on human wellbeing and wellness. We ask ourselves: How do I know that a website is reliable? Is Wikipedia reliable? Could Wikipedia be reliable? Who adds pages to Wikipedia? What does copyright mean? Can I use this picture that I found on Google? What does creative commons mean and how is it different than fair use? What do I do if I see that someone posted a mean comment? How can I stand up for others online? What elements of digital citizenship does cyberbullying fit into? What are some ways that I could be vulnerable online? How do I protect myself and my family? How do I comment on someone else's post and when it it okay to do so? Sky
Skyers are challenged to be aware of their environment and how advertisements and marketers profile their interests and lifestyles. Social media and similar websites are also critiqued for their profiling, safety, and responsible use. Students learn about using pictures that have a creative commons or fair use license. We Ask Ourselves: How do I properly cite my research paper? How can I more efficiently search Google for my research project? How do I search an electronic database for local information? Why do ads show up on the side of my website? How can I be careful when communicating with others online? |
Image from BrainPOP.com
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How can I address Digital Citizenship at home?
This is definitely not a topic that only applies to using devices at school, and we wholeheartedly encourage you to address this topic at home. One of the best ways to start the conversation at home is to ask your child what they've been doing at school. They might be eager to show you a game that they've played or something funny that came up in a class discussion. Some of the resources below also offer examples of activities you can do at home to explore the concept of Digital Citizenship. And, of course, you can always email me with specific questions! |
Interested in learning more?
Internet culture as we know it is constantly shifting and changing due to technological advances and cultural influence. Below are some resources that may be helpful if you are interested in Digital Citizenship and web culture as concepts and want to learn more. We are not using these particular resources during class time, nor do they speak for the entirety of the Tech curriculum at Wingra- these PDFs, articles, and videos are resources that I think you may find helpful in clarifying Tech and Digital Citizenship concepts. I hope that you find these perspectives as interesting and informative as I do.
What I'm Reading
Because Internet: Understanding the New Rules of Language by Gretchen McCulloch
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Memes in Digital Culture by Limor Shifman
Youth and Violent Extremism on Social Media: Mapping the Research by Séraphin Alava, Divina Frau-Meigs, & Ghayda Hassan (UNESCO)
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Digital civic engagement by young people by UNICEF Office of Global Insight and Policy,
Alexander Cho, Jasmina Byrne and Zoë Pelter Haters: Harassment, Abuse, and Violence Online by Bailey Poland
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Readings last updated October 2020