Lesson: Digital Life 101 (6-8)

Introduce

REVIEW the Key Vocabulary with students. Discuss some of the differences between media and digital media.

EXPLAIN that one of the major differences between digital media and media such as TV and radio is that digital media generally allow people opportunities for interactive communication — for creation and self-expression. Instant Messaging, for instance, is more “two-way,” because people are talking with one another. Media such as TV and radio are generally more “one-way,” because people generally do not interact with one another through these technologies. EXPLAIN that media used to be a lot more one-way before the Internet came into existence. Let them know that people used to consume, or take in, media and messages only through television and radio. But the digital media of today are more two-way. We can now create, share, and communicate in addition to consuming media.

ASK: What are examples of things you do with one-way media, such as TVs or radios? Sample responses:

• Watch TV
• Listen to the radio

ASK: What are some of the ways that people communicate with or share with others over digital media? Sample responses:

• IM
• Go on social networks
• Text
• Talk in virtual worlds
• Blog
• Upload videos and photos
• Play multiplayer games

Teach 1: Watch Video

EXPLAIN to students that they are going to watch a video about how digital media are a 24/7 part of our culture – that video game consoles and portable devices, such as cell phones, seem to surround us. Remind students, though, that the media lives of all kids and families are not the same. Some kids are allowed to use more digital media than others, and some kids like these tools more than others.

WATCH the Student Intro Video – Digital Life 101. The video touches on the different types of media and digital media that exist, the actions that people take with these technologies, and even specific programs and applications.

ASK: What are some things you learned from the video? Sample responses:

• Digital media are a 24/7 part of our culture.
• Digital media are social. They allow people to build friendships, join new communities, and provide amazing opportunities for creation and self-expression.

Teach 2: Make a Concept Map

CREATE a concept map on the board that contains the following headings: “Types” of digital media, “Actions” students take with digital media, “Your Feelings” about digital media, and “Your Parents’ Feelings” about digital media. Ask students to brainstorm about all four parts of the concept map.

ENCOURAGE them to list items that are both general (e.g., cell phones) and specific (e.g., playing Runescape).

Teach 3: Create Similes

Have students fill out the My Media Life Is Like…Student Handout in which they create and illustrate a simile about their digital lives. When students are finished, they should SHARE their similes. Have them place their similes on their desks and rotate three to four times so they can see different people’s similes. Have students share observations about their classmates’ similes with each rotation. You may want to

PROVIDE the following examples for students of similes:

• Someone who does not use much media at all might say that her media life is like a dry desert because there is little life there.
• Someone might say that his media life is like a track meet because he is exhausted at the end of the day.

Wrap Up & Assess

You can use these questions to assess your students’ understanding of the lesson objectives.

ASK: What are digital media? Digital media and technologies are electronic devices and media platforms such as computers, cell phones, digital video, social networking sites, the Internet, video games, and virtual worlds, which allow users to create, communicate and interact with one another or with the device or application themselves.

ASK: What are two important characteristics of digital media? (1) They are a 24/7 part of our culture; (2) They are social – people communicate over digital media.

REVIEW that because these digital media tools are social and interactive, it is important to think about how what one does with them impacts others.

Extension & Homework

EXTENSION ACTIVITY
Students turn their similes about digital life into songs. GROUP students in fours and fives and ask each group to create a simile about their digital lives. As with the similes by individuals, the simile should be phrased, “My digital life is like a…” and the lyrics should focus on the nature of their digital lives. Have students turn the simile into a country, rock, or rap song called “My Digital Life.” They can create the song without computers or with computers using software such as GarageBand.

HOMEWORK
Students and parents together take the Got Media Smarts? Quiz – an introduction to basic media terms and concepts. Each student should receive a copy of the Got Media Smarts? Quiz Student Handout (which includes an answer key) and the Digital Life Glossary Student Handout to take home. Students should tell their parents that their class assignment is for them to go head-to-head against one another to test their knowledge about digital media. Students can also quiz their parents on the Glossary terms. Students can bring the results of the quiz to school where the class can briefly reflect on their results and share about anything that surprised them. Note: If you are planning for students to do the My Media lesson, provide the My Media Log Student Handout and ask students to log their time with different forms of media during the week.