Passport to the Internet
The Ministry of Education has licensed access to this interactive experience developed by the Media Awareness Network. Passport to the internet takes students through a virtual world where they experience activities safely and locally that mimic the types of activities that they would experience for real online.

The simulation is an interactive environment that is accessed through a web browser and students are prompted to work their way through the individual stations as they strive to get their passport.

From the Media Awareness Network, here are descriptions of the various areas that the students will explore.

MyFace
A social networking site that challenges students to create
an engaging profile while protecting their privacy.

Co-Co’s Choco Match
A simulated advergame that teaches the “tricks of the
trade” that online advertisers use to reach young consumers.

Study Space
A research assignment that teaches authentication skills
through a mock search engine and by having students judge
the reliability of three different Web sites.

Web Café
A general introduction to safe and wise Web surfing that
shows students how to judge what is behind a link, e-mail,
banner ad or search result before clicking on it.

Instant Pigeon
An instant messaging program in which students engage in four
conversations, allowing them to make ethical choices about
how to reply to their online “buddies” and how to deal with
issues such as uploading photos and videos, stranger contact
and cyberbullying.

There are two levels of use for this activity. The Junior Level is geared for Grades 5 and 6 and the Senior Level is geared for Grades 7 and 8. Since this is a new product for all GECDSB students, it would also be appropriate for Grade 9 students to go through the Senior Level so that they can take advantage of the excellent content.

The URL for this application cannot be posted publically. Your school's Computers in Education School Contact has access to the link and will make it available for use at your school.