Note for Parents

This class is designed to ask students to think carefully about how to best work and act within the online world that we all now inhabit to varying degrees. We do this through the examination of relevant topics and by building skills that promote effective online communication and collaboration.

Topics

Topics are explored through in-depth class discussion, both in-person and online, and through independent, self-directed research that results in several posts on our learning blog.

As we explore how the online world affects ourselves, our community, and our world, topics generally fall into the following categories:

Mean Behavior

Why is there so much mean behavior online? How should we treat one another online? How can we develop resiliency when people treat us poorly?

Digital Permanence

How can online behavior affect our goals and aspirations?

Privacy and Security

How can we stay safe online? How important is our privacy? What can we do to keep our data private?

Plagiarism and Intellectual Property

How can we avoid plagiarism? How does copyright work? How do we balance the rights of creators with the public good?

The Internet and Society

How do companies try to shape our behavior online? How are women and people of color represented online? How has the relationship between creators and their audience changed due to the Internet?

Skills

In addition to our school’s Essential Skills as detailed on our Standards page, our class skill areas include:

Online communication and expression

via a variety of mediums, including text, audio, and video

Using online search skills

to efficiently find and access high-quality, accurate information

Enhancing online privacy and security

through the effective use of tools, techniques, and personal behavior

Identifying and preventing plagiarism

while understanding and respecting concepts surrounding intellectual property

Demonstrating leadership

by undertaking various leadership roles during class, including Class Reporter, Class Photographer, and Class Explorer

Engaging in responsible discourse

through several in-person and online discussions

Special Features

Our class has several special features that distinguish it from traditional academic experiences, including:

We are Self-Contained

We have no homework, books, or tests, and because all work is done in-class, feedback and support are available throughout the ideation, development, and completion of work.

We use Badges, Not Grades

Badges recognize achievement and track progress while taking away the pressure and performance anxiety of traditional grades. This is particularly helpful when developing technology skills, as the atmosphere changes significantly when students have the freedom to fail. It also models a “real world” work methodology where submissions receive feedback, adjustments are made until clear standards are met, and success is achieved.

Student Work is Public

Students post all of their class work on a blog that is shared with parents, classmates, and select members of the Watkinson community.