For a Safer Internet: Digital & Information Literacy
For a Safer Internet: Why?
Digital and information literacy are vital for a safer internet and helps understand green matters. So how good are your students’ digital and information literacy skills? In order to do this, knowing which websites are trustworthy and which ones are not is a vital skill. So why not try this lesson to help them develop in this area?
How the Lesson Helps
This lesson helps make a safer internet as it encourages learners to critically evaluate information and it’s based around a fascinating website about an endangered species of octopus. But just how real is this octopus? Although the website outlines the issues facing the tree octopus – a creation of someone’s imagination, the octopus is not real. However, it is so wonderfully presented that you could be forgiven for thinking it’s real! Similarly, groups pedaling misinformation about environmental issues are well aware of the power of beautiful presentation, but after completing this lesson, your students will have a more discerning eye for misinformation.
The Environmental Aspect
In terms of environmental awareness, it is important to know the points of view behind websites in this politicized issue. Individuals are subject to a mass of information that can come from almost anyone so it is vital that they are able to apply skills to verify a website and the facts presented in it. This is both for a safer internet through casting a discerning eye on websites and fact-checking information to ensure an evidence-based understanding of green issues.
In this lesson, learners will:
- Learn facts about the octopus
- practice reading skills
- use a resource from the British Council LearnEnglish teens website to develop skills in verifying a website.
The lesson is for learners B1 upwards whether young learners, teens or adults.
Click on the presentation below for a lesson plan and all materials
How do you help learners develop digital literacies for a safer internet? If you have any ideas, share them in the comments or via the contact page!
