Ups and Downs of Digital Life

Essential Question: What are some possibilities and potential pitfalls of using media in our social, connected culture?

Purpose: Students discuss these upsides and downsides of digital media consumption for themselves, their friends and family, and communities.

Introduction:

Key Vocabulary

• Pitfall: A trap or unnoticeable danger

• Digital Native: Someone who grew up with computers, video games, and the Internet from the time she or he was born and is comfortable using these technologies

Raise your hand if you:

            • are part of a social networking site

            • use a social networking site at least three times a week

            • use the Internet to communicate with their friends

            • use the Internet to play games with others

            • use the Internet to post creative work

            • have had something good happen to them by using the Internet

            • have run into some kind of problem, or ended up feeling upset, because of

            something that happened on the Internet

Consider These Questions:

• If the Internet, cell phones, or other forms of digital media did not exist, would your life be better or worse?

• How would you feel if you could not use digital media for a week? Would your life be different in any way?

Watch the Video:

Student Activity:

1.      Go to our blog and download the Ups and Downs Discussion Guide.

2.      Change the name to “FirstName_LastInitial_UpsDowns” and be sure to save it in the .DOC format within “My Digital Life.”

3.      Read the worksheet.

4.      Complete the worksheet.

5.      Save worksheet by pushing CTRL + S on the keyboard.

6.      Close Word.

7.      Close any other windows.

8.      Submit your completed worksheet to me via LoopMail titled: Ups and Downs.