Intro to CyberCITZ
CyberCitz TAG Posters

Being the best person you can be on the Internet and working with computers helps the world we live in. The computer and the Internet can give one a feeling that "no one is looking." Your character is defined by "what you do when no one is watching you." Being a good "cyber citizen" will make your life better, as well a those around you on the Internet.

The series of six technology citizenship posters highlights characteristics essential for ethical behavior on the internet. (See the various lessons for the individual posters--each approximately 12.5"x24".) This PDF shows all six posters.

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CyberCitz Flier

Download this flier for more information on the CyberCitizenship Project.

Page_white_acrobat CyberCitz Flier v4.pdf
Welcome to CyberCitizenship!
Organized around the way middle schoolers use the Internet, the CyberCitz Project provides teaching materials on Internet safety, security and ethics. This new project includes an Educators’ Guide, a youth website, technology citizenship posters, and e-lessons on a K-12 learning management system.

Description... This project is organized in a way that addresses the ways middle schoolers are using the Internet. The Educators’ Guide integrates the ethical standards that can promote their use of the Web more wisely and responsibly. It includes information everywhere from general safety tips to social networking and gaming. The youth edition of the guide will be easily available to students through an interactive website, targeting the information presented in the educator’s version. Customizable e-lessons are currently being developed for a K-12 learning management system. A series of technology citizenship posters are also available. This project was produced in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Educational Technology and IIIA at JMU.

Market significance... Legislation passed in 2006 and signed by Virginia’s Governor Timothy Kaine added a new component to K-12 education curriculum to implement instruction on Internet safety for all students. The Legislation also required the Superintendent of Public Instruction to issue guidelines to school divisions in regards to instructional programs related to Internet safety. The Virginia Department of Educational Technology released “GUIDELINES AND RESOURCES FOR INTERNET SAFETY IN SCHOOLS” to guide educators as they created programs to meet this new challenge (See Link section below.) To further assist in effectively implementing the new law into the classroom, IIIA accepted this new challenge by creating hands-on materials designed for use at the middle school level. The CyberCitz project adds ethics to the mix by developing a series of posters on positive character traits for technology use.
Description of Subject
Setting a foundation for Internet safety is key.  We must continually work to increase safety skills when we use digital technology such as computers, cell phones, and online games. Bad things can happen to people who use these technologies carelessly. As we embark on this exploration of the cyber world, “Be aware and stay safe!”
Suggested Activities
1. Brainstorming Activity: In small groups, or with the whole class ask your students to think about the Internet, its mediums, the pros and cons, as well as the future of the world wide web.

Suggested Questions:
  • What are the benefits of using the Internet?
  • What are the potential dangers or risks when using the Internet?
  • What are the purposes of Internet mediums such as social networking sites, blogs, websites, etc.?