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Samaritans on the Digital Road

Fostering Inclusivity Online

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Learning Goals

I can engage in respectful and constructive dialogue in virtual spaces, even when I encounter differing viewpoints.

I can describe a good digital friend and identify what to do when faced with instances of cyberbullying.

I understand how AI tools can be used to help foster an accessible and equitable digital world.

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Minds On

Review the story of the Good Samaritan by reading aloud from your class bible (Luke 10: 25-37), or using any one of the following links:

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Minds On

Discuss the following:

What would you have done if you came across someone suffering on your way home from school?

Do you think the first two passerbys would have acted differently if other people were watching them? What do you think they would have done had they known that Jesus would share their story with so many people? And that those people would in turn continue sharing this story?

Think-Pair-Share: How can this idea of being a good neighbour relate to the online world?

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Online Etiquette

Growing up with the internet, you have likely had many discussions already about online etiquette. You already know that following the “Golden Rule” and choosing to “treat others the way that you want to be treated” is the right thing to do no matter where you are or who you are with, whether you know the person (or people) you are interacting with personally, or whether you have never met them. We know the rules of proper and polite conduct in the physical world, and the digital world calls for us to behave in the same way.

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Being Inclusive in the Digital World

Discuss:

  • How do you feel when you read negative comments?
  • How do you think the person on the receiving end of these comments feels?
  • Why is it so easy for people to post negative comments on these platforms?
  • Is this cyberbullying?

You have also probably witnessed, read, seen or heard comments about others that are unkind on the web. You may have seen these in the comments sections of YouTube videos or perhaps chat platforms with friends and acquaintances, or even while playing online video games.

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Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is defined by the Government of Canada as “the use of computers, smartphones or other connected devices to embarrass, hurt, mock, threaten or be mean to someone online.” It is hurtful, can change lives and it has legal consequences.

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Cyberbullying

This Government of Canada website also states:

Cyberbullying comes in many forms

Cyberbullying can happen wherever youth interact online, including on social media, texts, chats, email, comment sections, apps, and online games. Because it happens through technology, cyberbullying tactics are constantly changing.

Here are some common forms of cyberbullying:

  • Making fun of someone or how they look
  • Sending mean, threatening, or harassing messages
  • Spreading embarrassing or hurtful gossip, secrets, rumours, or lies
  • Posting images, videos, stories, memes, jokes, or cartoons to embarrass, or humiliate someone
  • Tricking someone into providing personal information and then sharing it
  • Sharing intimate images or videos of someone without their knowledge or permission
  • Excluding someone or ganging up on them
  • Creating a poll that makes someone look bad
  • Impersonating or logging in as someone and getting negative attention
  • Screen capturing and sharing what was supposed to be private or temporary

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Cyberbullying

Words have power, and the ones we choose to use significantly impact our environment. As responsible citizens, we have a duty to treat others with respect and uphold one another’s rights at all times, including in the digital world.

What should you do if you or someone you know is experiencing cyberbullying or online meanness?

  • Take screenshots of the incidents
  • Talk to a trusted adult
  • If the victim is a friend, check in with them and show them your support
  • Be an upstander. Discuss what this can look like!

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Your Digital Footprint

“A digital footprint is the trail of data you create while using the Internet. This trail of data comes from the websites you visit, the emails you send, and the information you submit or download online. You build your footprint both actively and passively.

  • Active digital footprint: Data left through intentional actions, such as posting on social media, filling out online forms, or agreeing to browser cookies.
  • Passive digital footprints: Data left unintentionally or unknowingly. This data is often collected by monitoring tied to your IP address. Websites and applications may install cookies on devices without disclosure, use location tracking, or log your activities.”

Source: https://www.cyber.gc.ca/en/guidance/digital-footprint-itsap00133

When you walk on a beach you leave behind a trail of footprints that others can follow. Cruising through websites can leave a similar trail. This is called your digital footprint. The Canadian Centre for Cybersecurity explains:

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Think before you post anything online!

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Being Inclusive in the Digital World

You can contribute to making the internet a safe and pleasant place for everyone.

When we interact online, we can choose to be kind, even when we disagree with another person. It’s important to listen to other people’s opinions and consider their point of view. In most instances, we can follow the rule: If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all! In other cases, we may feel compelled to “respectfully disagree.”

How, exactly, do we do that? Let’s practise these communication skills…

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Activity: Being Inclusive in the Digital World

On the following slide, there will be a statement that you may agree or disagree with. You are all invited to share your opinion about the statement by raising your hand. If you agree, explain why. If you disagree, use some of the prompts to help engage in constructive conversation.

Remember these rules:

  • Actively listen to one another’s ideas.
  • Use the prompts to share your opinion.
  • Disagree with grace - it’s ok for someone to have a different point of view.

Ready? Discuss the following statement…

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“The egg came before the chicken.”

I agree because…

In my opinion…

I appreciate what you are saying. I feel…

I see your point; however, I think…

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Activity: Being Inclusive in the Digital World

Let’s reflect on how this dialogue went with the following questions:

  • Did everyone hold the same opinion?
  • Why is it important to hear viewpoints from people who think differently than you?
  • How did it feel when someone disagreed with your opinion? Did using the prompts help?
  • Did everyone speak?
  • Did anyone stay silent but still hold an opinion that they do not wish to share?
  • What would happen if nobody ever challenged your beliefs?

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What about AI?

What is AI?

“Artificial intelligence, or AI, is the technology that enables computer systems to simulate human intelligence and problem-solving tasks.

How does AI contribute to inclusivity and equity?

There are many applications of AI which you will learn about in other lessons. This lesson will focus on how AI can be used for intercultural communication and translation.

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The Role of AI

How can AI be used to create an inclusive digital world?

Can you think of a time when you saw technology being used to translate text or voice into another language? Maybe you have family members or friends who have done this. Or maybe you know of some translation apps or websites.

Let’s brainstorm and check the next slide for some examples!

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The Role of AI

Some examples of AI translation tools you may know:

  • Google Translate and Microsoft Translator
  • Translation in Book Creator (check it out here!)

What are some ways that translation tools can help people? Hint: Think about students, newcomers to a country, travellers, etc…

Add your ideas to the Canva Whiteboard shared by your teacher.

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The Role of AI

AI tools enable people to access information

Students who are learning a new language like French can use translation to help with assignments.

Newcomers to a country can use translation to access services and meet new people.

Travellers can use translation to access restaurants, tourist attractions and get directions.

You might even use translation to communicate with people online.

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Activity: Being Inclusive in the Digital World

Now we are going to practice the principles of conversation online using the commenting feature on Google Docs.

Your teacher will share a document with you with a question. Please respond to the question honestly. You will have 5-10 minutes to write your response.

Take a moment to do this now.

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Activity: Being Inclusive in the Digital World

Next, you will share your document with 3 other people as “Commenters”, by pressing the share button in the top right corner and typing in their email. Don’t hit send yet!

Change the permissions settings from “Editor” to “Commenter.” Now press send.

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Activity: Being Inclusive in the Digital World

There are many ways to open the comment feature when you are in a document:

This option became available by highlighting the words my opinion…

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Comment directly on the documents shared with you using these sentence starters. Be responsible and stay on topic!

I agree because…

In my opinion…

I appreciate what you are saying. I feel…

I see your point; however, I think…

Remember to use the Golden Online Rule: Treat others online the way you want to be treated online.

The OCSB Responsible Use of Technology Agreement states: students will provide their device to an adult in their school if requested.

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Closure: Being Inclusive in the Digital World

Let’s reflect on how this activity went with the following questions:

  • Did everyone agree with your opinion?
  • Did anyone’s response change your thinking? If so, did you tell them? If you did not tell them, what would be a good sentence starter for that response?
  • Did using the prompts help you? Did you find new prompts that could be used?
  • What would you do if someone’s comments were mean or hurtful to you, another person or a community? Would you respond? What would you say? Who else would you inform about the incident?
  • How could we use the comment feature to help us in the future?