Cyber Week in the PYP

Last week grade 0-4 students were involved in Cyber Week. We looked at it from different perspectives. Monday – cyber possibilities, Tuesday- cyber culture, Wednesday – cyber traps, Thursday – cyber safety, Friday – cyber bullying. On our green wall on the ground floor we were observing how our knowledge grew and we could see pieces of works of others.

What was the week like in particular classes?

Grade 0

During a cyber week we investigated a definition of the Internet. We also talked about the function of the Internet in our life. We did a few activities: brainstorming, students worked in groups, we made two mind maps. Our students showed a great commintment, they were very interested in the topic of the Internet and its influence on our life. We are sure we will come back to this issue soon!

Students of1a were very involved in the activities of the cyber week. We got to know the history of computers and many curiosities about them. We used binary code to code and decode words. Everywhere we could hear conspiratorial whispers… We also worked in groups with students present at MS Teams! We also checked if it was possible to program making a sandwich… It is possible! We played two different roles – computer and programmers. It turned out that the computer does not have the ability to think – it needs precise commands! (What am I supposed to put jam on a slice of bread?! I guess with my hand…), that parents and children would do it faster and that Mrs. Kasia makes delicious sandwiches (we don’t have any pictures of this process, because hands were sticky from jam…).

We also reached the darker sides of cyberspace. We learned what hate is, we learned how to react to it properly, creating sample conversations.

We also visualised the process of spreading the computer virus using (instead of emails) an envelope with a message and a task to do. One contained the virus. We lost our data (backpacks) and the virus quickly spread to others. This led us to the question of our safety on the network. It turned out that our data need very similar protection as our homes – passwords, alarms, keys, codes. We also tried to create passwords ourselves, and then evaluated their effectiveness by playing the role of hackers and trying to guess the passwords we created.

Class 1b covered many important topics concerning networks and new technologies. Students created a brainstorm map of how they can use various applications to learn. First of all, we touched upon the topic of cyber security, coding and encryption. The students also created anti-health rules and know where to apply for help in case of difficulties.

What was new for us was “phishing”, where it wasn’t all about fishing on the Internet, but a method of cheating by impersonating other people, websites, applications to scam data.

The biggest fun for us was to encrypt messages and decrypt them.

Class 2a and 2b talked about our cyber possibilities. Together we wondered how many things we can do over the Internet. We came to the conclusion that the pandemic taught us many useful skills. We read two very interesting books: “Delivery for Webster” and “Webster Gecko Goof”. We found out that we cannot open pop-up windows, give our address and name on unknown websites. We also found out that not all information published on the Internet is true. We already know that messages should be checked in 3 different, reliable sources. Together we have established rules for safe use of the Internet. Cyber Week has significantly enriched our knowledge about the Internet.

Class 3b learned the principle of the algorithm by playing programmers and computer. Students (programmers) controlled the computer (teacher) so that the computer would make sandwiches. We created a comic book, in which we presented the principles of creating safe passwords. The comic book decorates the wall in the corridor on the first floor. We remembered the rules of using binary code by encrypting messages for colleagues and parents. We discussed effective communication and good manners in the Internet. We came to a conclusion that on the Internet, as in the real world, it is worth to be thoughtful, caring and communicating.

Class 3a was fascinated by the topic of cyber possibilities, especially virtual reality, which can be used to improve the quality of our lives e.g. in hospitals, social care homes. Pupils prepared vr glasses and presented their ideas for using them. We touched upon the topic of building a positive image in the net and prepared a thought map about the factors influencing our image in the net. We will discuss the principles of safe use of the Internet and searching for information in reliable sources.

Grade 4 started their cyber week with prior assessment. The quiz they completed gave them an answer to the question whether they are good digital citizens. Then, they considered the possibilities offered by the Internet. Next day they learned what a netiquette is. The starting point for discussing cyber traps was the short story: “Flexi-the star from the net”. The students presented a great knowledge of the safe use of the Internet and computers. They found out what a digital trace is and realized that it cannot be erased. During the IT classes, inspired by short video enlisted rules to avoid cyberbullying. During art classes, they created a work on how to demonstrate IB Learner Profile in virtual reality.