Copyright+Activity

[|http://www.cybertreehouse.com] **
 * Cyber Tree House

Site Description:
This is an fun, interactive website for children that promotes cyber safety and respectful behavior concerning copyright. The website is courtesy of the Business Software Alliance ([] The intended target audience appears to be elementary to middle school aged children. It is an attactive website that is set up like a tree house in a jungle. It is nicely set up and includes music and graphic effects. Children can easily navigate up the tree house to the 4 different modules provided. These modules include: 1. Videos: There are two versions of a video that includes a hip-hop song about "playing it safe in cyberspace." The first version has what appear to be high school students talking about why children should respect copyright laws while playing on the internet. The second version has what appears to be a latter elementary school girl talking about why children should respect copyright laws while playing on the internet. 2. Games: There are 4 games available in this module. They include Piracy Deepfreeze, Internet Images Memory, Cyber Safe Slide Puzzle and the Q&A Game. 3. Smart & Uncool: This module includes two practical and easy to understand lists about smart reasons to use the internet and uncool reasons to use the internet. 4. Be Cyber Safe: This module provides the Cyber Ethics Champion Code which is a form that includes ethical statements concerning cyber safety. The children can agree to abide by these statements and sign the form. After they concur and return a signed form, there is a Cyber Ethics Champion Certificate for either a parent or teacher to print off and present to the child. In addition, there are several kid-friendly links posted to further explore internet laws and internet safety.

How to use Cyber Tree House as a Classroom Resource:
I would utilize Cyber Tree House early on in the school year before we started heavily using the internet in class. This would provide some basic guidelines early on. I would explore the Video and the Smart & Uncool sections of the website with my students. I'd also explore some of the additional links in the Be Cyber Safe module with my students. During computer time, I would have the kids play with the Piracy Deepfreeze, Internet Images Memory and Cyber Safe Slide Puzzle games.

Student Assessment of the Cyber Tree House:
I would have my students each participate in the Q&A game, which is a quiz about cyber safety, and have them print out their results. Then, I would provide them with a copy of the Cyber Ethics Champion Code to take home. I'd encourage them to discuss this information with their parents, sign the form and return it to me. Upon receiving the form I'd print out the Cyber Ethics Champion Certificate for each student. Last, I'd have my students engage in a discussion about what they learned about cyber safety and we'd make a poster about "cyber safety rules" to hang in the computer area of the classroom.