Learning Objectives / Whāinga Ako

Supports DDDO Progress Outcome 2, 3; CT Progress Outcome 2

• Define what "digital ethics" and "digital society" mean in simple terms.

• Identify positive ways digital devices impact people.

• Identify simple challenges or negative impacts of digital devices.

• Understand the importance of being a responsible digital citizen.

• Demonstrate understanding of how digital devices impact humans and society.

Getting Started / Whakataki (Prior Learning Required)

You don't need any specific prior learning to begin this topic within this module! This page will cover all the foundational knowledge about digital ethics and society needed for Curriculum Level 3.

Quick Check: Think about a game you play on a tablet. What are some good things about it? Are there any small problems it might cause (like playing too long)? This is a great way to start thinking about digital ethics!

What are Digital Ethics and Digital Society?

Digital ethics is about being fair, kind, and responsible when we use and make digital tools. It asks: "Just because we can do something with a digital device, should we?" It's about making good choices in the digital world.

Digital society is about how digital devices have changed the way people live, play, and talk to each other. It's the new way our world works because of computers, phones, and the internet.

These two ideas are connected. As more people use digital devices, the good and bad choices we make about technology have a bigger impact on everyone.

How It Works / Me Pēhea te Mahi

Digital devices have a big impact on us, both good and sometimes a little tricky. Understanding these impacts helps us make smart choices and use technology to help others.

How Digital Devices Can Help Us (Positive Impacts):

1. Connecting with Friends & Family:

   • Digital devices let us talk to people far away, like grandparents or cousins in another city, using video calls or messages.

   • Example: You can show your drawing to a family member who lives far away using a tablet.

2. Learning New Things:

   • We can find answers to questions very quickly using search engines.

   • There are many apps and websites that help us learn about animals, space, or even how to draw!

   • Example: Watching a video about how plants grow for a school project.

3. Having Fun & Being Creative:

   • Digital devices let us play games, watch movies, and create our own stories or drawings.

   • Example: Using a tablet to draw a picture, or playing a game with friends online.

Challenges and Tricky Parts (Negative Impacts & Ethical Challenges):

1. Playing Too Much:

   • Sometimes, it's hard to stop using a digital device, and we might spend too much time on it instead of playing outside or doing homework.

2. Being Kind Online:

   • It's easy to say things online without thinking, but our words can hurt others. We need to be kind and respectful when we talk online.

3. Sharing Too Much:

   • Digital devices can share our photos or where we are. We need to be careful not to share too much personal information with people we don't know well. (This is about Privacy - Link to Privacy (CL4) page).

Being a responsible digital citizen means thinking about these things. It means using digital devices in ways that are helpful, safe, and fair for everyone. This fits with Māori values like Manaakitanga (showing care and respect for others) and Kaitiakitanga (being a guardian for resources, including digital ones).

Assessment / Te Aromatawai

Task: Choose one digital device or online activity that you know well (e.g., a specific game, a video-calling app, or a learning website).

Activity: Create a short report (e.g., 1 page in Google Docs) or a simple presentation (e.g., 2-3 slides in Google Slides) that:

1. Clearly names the chosen digital device or activity.

2. Explains at least two good ways it impacts people or society (positive impacts).

3. Explains at least one tricky part or challenge it can cause for people (negative impact or ethical challenge).

4. Suggests one way that you or other users can use this digital device/activity responsibly to make it a better place for everyone.

Why this assessment helps: This assesses your ability to understand that digital devices impact on humans and society (DDDO PO2), and to take immediate social and ethical considerations into account (DDDO PO3).

Evidence: Submit your Google Doc report or Google Slide presentation to Google Classroom as instructed by your kaiako.

Key Takeaways / Mātauranga

• Digital ethics is about making good choices when using technology.

• Digital society is how digital tools change our world.

• Digital devices have both good impacts (like connecting and learning) and tricky parts (like playing too much or being unkind online).

• Being a responsible digital citizen means using technology safely and kindly, for the good of everyone.

What's Next?

Now that you understand more about the impact of digital devices and being a responsible digital citizen, you're ready to explore how digital devices work in more detail and how we give them instructions. All these concepts are part of your learning in Curriculum Level 3.

• Input & Output (CL3): Revisit how devices communicate by taking in and giving out information.

• File Types (CL3): Learn about how digital information is stored in different formats.

• Computer Program (CL3): Start learning how to create simple instructions for computers.

• Digital Devices (CL3): (Revisit this page if you need to review the basics of digital devices and their impact again before moving on).

Continue your journey by clicking on the links to these exciting topics within your current module!