Lesson Plan
Digital Citizenship Detectives: Online Empathy
Students will understand the impact of their digital actions on others and learn strategies for positive and empathetic online communication.
This lesson is important because it equips students with essential skills to navigate the digital world responsibly and empathetically, fostering positive and respectful online interactions.
Audience
4th-6th Grade Students
Time
60 minutes
Approach
Case studies, discussion, and an interactive activity.
Materials
Smartboard or Projector, Slide Deck: Online Empathy, Discussion Guide: Digital Dilemmas, Activity: Empathy Case Files, Markers or pens, and Worksheet or notebook for notes
Prep
Teacher Preparation
20 minutes
- Review the Slide Deck: Online Empathy and familiarize yourself with the content.
- Read through the Discussion Guide: Digital Dilemmas and prepare to facilitate student conversations.
- Print or prepare for digital distribution the Activity: Empathy Case Files worksheets (one per small group or individual).
- Ensure projector/smartboard is functional.
- Review all generated materials as needed.
Step 1
Warm-Up: What's Your Digital Footprint?
10 minutes
- Begin by asking students: "What does it mean to leave a 'footprint' in real life? What about online?" (5 minutes)
2. Facilitate a brief class discussion on initial thoughts about digital footprints and how their actions online can be seen by others. (5 minutes)
(Refer to Slide Deck: Online Empathy - Slide 1-2)
Step 2
Introduction to Online Empathy
15 minutes
- Present the concept of online empathy using the Slide Deck: Online Empathy. (5 minutes)
2. Discuss the definition of empathy and how it applies to digital interactions. Use examples of positive and negative online behavior. (10 minutes)
(Refer to Slide Deck: Online Empathy - Slide 3-5)
Step 3
Digital Dilemmas Discussion
15 minutes
- Divide students into small groups (3-4 students per group).
2. Distribute the Discussion Guide: Digital Dilemmas or display the dilemmas on the board/projector.
3. Instruct groups to discuss each dilemma, considering how empathy plays a role and what the most responsible action would be. (10 minutes)
4. Bring the class back together for a brief share-out of key insights from their discussions. (5 minutes)
Step 4
Activity: Empathy Case Files
15 minutes
- Introduce the "Empathy Case Files" activity. Explain that students will be digital detectives. (2 minutes)
2. Distribute the Activity: Empathy Case Files worksheets.
3. In pairs or individually, students will work through the provided online scenarios, identifying the empathetic response and explaining why. (10 minutes)
4. Circulate the room to provide support and answer questions. (3 minutes)
Step 5
Wrap-Up: Digital Citizen Pledge
5 minutes
- Conclude the lesson by having students share one key takeaway about online empathy. (2 minutes)
2. Lead a brief class discussion on a
Step 6
Wrap-Up: Digital Citizen Pledge
5 minutes
- Conclude the lesson by having students share one key takeaway about online empathy. (2 minutes)
2. Lead a brief class discussion on a collective "Digital Citizen Pledge" – simple statements they can commit to for positive online behavior. (3 minutes)
(Refer to Slide Deck: Online Empathy - Slide 6)
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Slide Deck
Digital Citizenship Detectives: Online Empathy
Uncovering Kindness in the Digital World!
Welcome students and introduce the lesson's title. Emphasize the 'detective' aspect to pique their interest.
What's Your Digital Footprint?
What does it mean to leave a 'footprint' in real life?
What about online?
Start with a relatable question to activate prior knowledge. Encourage students to think about how their actions leave traces, both in real life and online.
What is Empathy?
Empathy is understanding and sharing the feelings of another.
It's about putting yourself in someone else's shoes, even when you're online.
Introduce the core concept of empathy. Discuss the definition clearly and provide simple, age-appropriate examples.
Empathy in the Digital World
Why is empathy extra important when we're online?
- You can't see facial expressions or hear tone of voice.
- Words can be misinterpreted.
- Actions can have a big impact, even if you don't see it immediately.
Explain how empathy is crucial online. Discuss why it's sometimes harder to be empathetic when you can't see someone's reaction. Ask for student examples of online interactions where empathy is important.
Being an Online Empathy Detective
As Digital Citizenship Detectives, we look for clues to understand how others might feel.
- Scenario 1: Your friend posts a picture they're really proud of. You think it's silly. What do you do?
- Scenario 2: Someone writes a mean comment about another student in a game chat. How does that make the other student feel? What could you do?
Present some scenarios or examples of both empathetic and non-empathetic online behavior. Use these as discussion starters.
Our Digital Citizen Pledge
What is ONE thing you will do to be an empathetic digital citizen?
Let's make a pledge to make the internet a kinder place!
Conclude with the idea of a collective pledge. Ask students to share one thing they commit to. This reinforces the learning and promotes personal responsibility.
Discussion
Digital Dilemmas: Discussing Online Empathy
Instructions: In your groups, read each scenario carefully. Discuss how empathy plays a role in each situation and what the most responsible and kind action would be. Be ready to share your group's thoughts with the class.
Dilemma 1: The Embarrassing Photo
Your classmate, Alex, tried out for the school play and didn't get a part. You saw another student, Maya, post a slightly blurry photo on social media of Alex looking disappointed with the caption, "Better luck next time, Alex!" Maya didn't mean to be mean, but you know Alex is sensitive about not getting the part.
- How might Alex feel seeing that post?
- Even if Maya didn't mean to be mean, why might her post be hurtful?
- What could you do in this situation as a good digital citizen? Should you say something to Maya, Alex, or a teacher? Why?
Dilemma 2: The Online Game Argument
You are playing an online game with your friends. During the game, two players, Chris and Sam, start arguing in the public chat. Chris types, "You're terrible at this game, Sam! Just quit!" Sam responds with, "No, you quit! You always mess up!" Other players are starting to chime in.
- How might Chris and Sam be feeling during this argument?
- What impact do you think their words are having on other players in the game?
- What could you do or say to de-escalate the situation and promote a more positive gaming environment?
Dilemma 3: The Secret Group Chat
You are invited to a group chat with some friends where they start talking negatively about another classmate, Jamie, who isn't in the chat. They are sharing jokes and comments that aren't very kind, even though they wouldn't say them to Jamie's face.
- Why might it be easier for people to say unkind things in a group chat than in person?
- How would Jamie feel if they found out about this chat?
- What responsibility do you have when you're part of a group chat like this? What actions could you take?
Activity
Empathy Case Files: Digital Detective Work
Instructions: You are now official Digital Citizenship Detectives! Read each "Case File" below. Your mission is to investigate the situation, identify how empathy is important, and write down the most empathetic and responsible action.
Case File 1: The Ignored Comment
Your classmate, Ben, posted a short video of himself playing the guitar. He's really excited about it. You see a few positive comments, but then you notice someone commented, "That's okay, I guess, but you're not as good as [famous guitarist]." You know Ben has been practicing hard.
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Detective Observation (How might Ben feel?):
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Empathetic Action (What would a digital detective do or say?):
Case File 2: The Group Project Complaint
Your group is working on a presentation for school. One of your group members, Chloe, is struggling to understand her part and asks for help in your group chat. Another group member, David, replies, "It's not that hard, Chloe. Just figure it out. We don't have time to explain everything again."
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Detective Observation (How might Chloe feel?):
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Empathetic Action (What would a digital detective do or say?):
Case File 3: The Rumor Mill Post
You see a post on a friend's story that says, "Heard a crazy rumor about Ms. Davis today! #teachersbehavingbadly" and a winking emoji. There are no details, but it seems to be talking about your math teacher. You know rumors can hurt people, especially when they aren't true.
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Detective Observation (How might Ms. Davis feel if she saw this, or if the rumor spread?):
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Empathetic Action (What would a digital detective do or say?):