Digital Citizenship Lesson Plans

Lesson 1 – Copyright and Wrongs

Lesson 2 – Digital Footprint
Lesson 3 – Online Ethics

Lesson 1: Copyright and Wrongs (15 minutes)

Guiding Question
 How can I make responsible choices when I use other people’s
creative work?
Lesson Summary
 Students explore the legal and ethical dimensions of respecting
creative work. First, they learn a basic foundation of legal
principles and vocabulary related to copyright. They understand
how such factors as the rules of copyright law, the values and
intent of the original creator, and the audience and purpose
should affect their decisions about using the creative work of
others.
Learning Objectives
 Students will be able to ...
o identify the legal and ethical considerations involved in
using the creative work of others.
o understand an individual’s rights and responsibilities as
a creator and consumer of content.
 o practice critical thinking and ethical decision making
about the use of creative works.
Teach
 Play Copyright and Fair Use Video for Students:
o Copyright and Fair Use Video
Discuss
 Ask students what are the ways you can be respectful of people’s
creative work?
Assessment
 Have students complete the following assessment:
 Lesson 2: Digital Footprint (15 minutes)

Guiding Question
 How can information you post on the Internet affect your future
opportunities?
Lesson Summary
 Students learn that everything they or anyone else posts about
them online becomes part of a public online presence known as a
digital footprint. Students then discuss what kinds of information
they would want included in their own digital footprints, and learn
strategies for shaping a positive online presence.
Learning Objectives
 Students will be able to ...
o learn that they have a public presence online called a digital
footprint.
o recognize that any information they post online can help or
hurt their image and future opportunities, including their
chances for college admission or employment.
o consider how to present an authentic and positive image of
themselves online.
Teach
 Play ‘Pride in Your Digital Footprint’ Video for Students:
o Pride in Your Digital Footprint
Discuss
 Ask students what types of online information would help present
the most positive image of you?
Assessment
 Have students look at Anna’s social network profile below. Ask
them to find three things on the profile that shouldn’t be there
and mark them with an “X.”
 Lesson 3: Online Ethics (15 minutes)

Guiding Question
 What does it mean to do the right thing online?
Lesson Summary
 Students discuss their understanding of ethical behavior and are
introduced to the concept of online ethics. Students then learn
about digital citizenship and the different levels of online
responsibility.
Learning Objectives
 Students will be able to ...
o understand the concept of online ethics as it applies to four
key areas.
o define digital citizenship and identify their online
responsibilities.
o explore online ethics by analyzing a mock social networking
page.
Teach
 Define ethics and online ethics, then give students a few minutes
to think of someone they believe is very ethical.
Discuss
 Ask students in what ways is the person you identified ethical?
 Ask what students think about the following post:

Assessment
 Have students answer these two questions: