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Are You Net Savvy?
A Directed Internet Task
 A Task designed by Gwyneth Anne Bronwynne Jones
Library Media/Technology Specialist
 Howard County Public Schools



Table of Contents
Introduction | Task | Netiquette | Know Your Sources | Drive Safely | Privacy Matters | Misleading Ads | Credits | Teacher Resources | Contact

Introduction
"Before you start on a trip, you check a map, pack the snacks and follow the rules of the road. Traveling in Cyberspace isn't much different. In fact, whether you travel on the road or the virtual road, common sense and a good handbook are your best travel
companions." Site Seeing on the Internet- FTC
Even if you have been on the "net" for years, or if you are just starting out on this journey, there are things you should be aware of and be savvy about before you begin. A new rule was passed by the FTC as of April 21, 2000, to protect Children's Online Privacy  which states that Websites Must Obtain Parental Permission Before Collecting Children's Personal Information.
On the road, you know there are both jerks and cool people out there. The jerks are those who drive recklessly and rudely, and the cool people are savvy skilled drivers who move in and out of traffic with precision and ease. This page will help you to become one of the *skilled* drivers, and not a jerky one!
The components to become a savvy net citizen:

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Task
Use the links below to learn about each of the above components. When directed, take a quiz or a test and record your score.

Netiquette

by Virginia Shea

                      "What is Netiquette? Simply stated, it's network etiquette -- that is, the etiquette of cyberspace. And "etiquette" means "the forms required by good breeding or prescribed by authority to be required in social or official life." In other words, Netiquette is a set of rules for behaving properly online."

Read the Core Rules of Netiquette, clicking on next page at the bottom of each screen.
Take the 10 question Netiquette Quiz after you have read each section. Record your score.
There's a lot of new words out there on the net and even more acronyms! If you find a word you don't know, check out this cool

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Know Your Sources
Just because something is on the Internet does not mean that it's true or reliable. One must become a savvy searcher and know how to evaluate the sources that we see and use.
A great example of this is an article by Alan November called The Web -- Teaching Zack to Think. Read the article.



Always Drive Safely

Go to this site, read each of the tips about kid's safety on the net. Your teacher may also have the video tape that goes with this site (and if they don't they can get it for free if they visit the main page!) After reading each of the
take the Driver's Challenge!If you pass, congratulations!  You will get your Internet Driver's License. With your teacher's permission, print it out!

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Privacy Matters
The FTC (Federal Trade Commission) has created a really cool site that explains all about Kidz Privacy online.
Read the list of 9 important things to know about surfing, privacy and your personal information. Then copy down the toll free number to call  (with permission!) after school to get your free book cover with these helpful online tips. Do not listen to the MP3 ad clips unless your teacher has made sure your computer has all the right plug-ins.
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Don't Be Duped by Misleading Banner Ads!
Advertising online is a necessary evil. Some of our favorite sites could not exist without support from advertisers. However, some of the advertisers on the Internet who are trying to get you to click on their ads are not beyond a little deception to accomplish this task.  Once you click onto some of these ads, it's hard to get back to where you were! So don't be duped or fooled by misleading or attractive banner ads. An example of two of these kinds of ads are listed below:

Sorry, you're *NOT* a winner. Just like the junk mail you might get in your real mailbox or email inbox, saying you've "just won!" it's a gimmick. Don't be fooled.

This fake error ad is working on either your fear or your frustration. Fear that you are not up-to-date with your speed or frustration that the computer may be going too slow  (and who does not want to go faster on the net??) What it's really trying to sell you is something else. Don't be fooled.

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Credits:
Thanks to the following sites for information, graphics and links!

Federal Trade Commission and Ms. Claudia Bourne Farrell
Ms. Virginia Shea and her Core Rules of Netiquette
Mr. Alan November
Safe Surfin'
Kidz Privacy

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Teacher Resources
Internet Integration:  A Jump Start - a resource for teachers.
WebQuests@Work - What they are, where to find them, and how to use them.
Easy Web Design! -  A no-nonsense, easy to follow tutorial that I wrote on how to create your own web pages using Netscape Composer.
Features a lot of screen captures and graphics so that you can be "on the net" in a jiffy! (hope you like it!:-)
Treasures on the Internet - -Hundreds of excellent links, annotated and organized. A must to bookmark!
LearningWorks - A one stop shop for all teachers!
Maryland Public Television - MPT.  This is bigger than television.
WNET Internet School Primer -This excellent Internet Primer is "designed especially for K-12 teachers"
Beginner's Guide to the Net - "This tutorial will show you why the Internet is  such a valuable resource for educators by taking you on a tour through some of the best biggest and best educational sites currently online."
Netiquette for Kids
Internet Safety Game for Kids - for Elementary kids.
Internet Search Tools Quick Reference Guide for Students and Teachers from SEIR*TEC - The BEST search tool cheat sheet! Print it out!
Seven Steps for Better Searching
The WebQuest Page- by Bernie Dodge - The master guru of all things WebQuest!
Lights, Camera, Action! Technology Integration Through Television Production.
Get More from the Web - This page chock full of great links to assist the educator in getting more from the web!
The HyperPowered Curriculum - A great page designed for those teachers who use Hyper-Studio and other slide show/presentation software in their
classrooms.

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Contact
for more information/questions/extra links or ideas feel free to contact
Gwyneth Anne Jones


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This page was made using Netscape Composer
on an iMac DV, baby!

first created 7.12.2000
last updated 05.22.2003
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