Technologies · Year 2

Active learning ideas

Digital Etiquette: The Kind Keyboard

Active learning helps Year 2 students grasp digital etiquette because role-plays and rewrites make abstract online concepts tangible. When students act out messages and revise them, they connect emotional impact to digital choices in real time. These hands-on activities build empathy and decision-making skills essential for online communication.

• ACARA Content Descriptions
• AC9TDI2S01
• AC9E2LY07

• 20–35 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 4 activities

Activity 01

• Role Play
• 35 min · Small Groups

Role-Play Circles: Chat Scenarios

Prepare printed chat bubbles with kind and unkind messages. In circles, pairs read a scenario aloud, act it out, then rewrite and perform a kind version. Groups share one rewrite with the class for feedback.

Explain how to demonstrate kindness and respect when interacting online without visual cues.

Facilitation Tip

During Role-Play Circles: Chat Scenarios, set clear time limits for each scenario so students stay focused on the emotional impact of their words.

What to look for

Present students with three sample digital messages. Ask them to circle the kind messages and put a square around the unkind messages, then explain their choices for one message.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Social Awareness
• Self-Awareness

Activity 02

• Role Play
• 20 min · Pairs

Pair Rewrite: Fix the Message

Provide pairs with cards showing unkind digital messages. Partners discuss the hurt caused, then rewrite using kind words on new cards. Display rewrites on a class 'Kind Keyboard Wall'.

Assess appropriate responses to cyberbullying or unkind behavior in online environments.

Facilitation Tip

When students Pair Rewrite: Fix the Message, provide sentence starters for positive alternatives to guide struggling writers.

What to look for

Pose the scenario: 'Imagine you see a friend post something online that makes another classmate feel sad. What are two kind things you could do or say?' Facilitate a class discussion on appropriate responses.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Social Awareness
• Self-Awareness

Activity 03

• Role Play
• 25 min · Whole Class

Whole Class: Response Relay

Project a cyberbullying scenario. Students line up and take turns adding kind response phrases to a shared digital board, building a complete supportive message as a class.

Analyze how online choices can influence real-life friendships and relationships.

Facilitation Tip

In Response Relay, model how to combine kindness with clarity by using specific examples from the scenarios.

What to look for

Ask students to draw one picture showing a kind online interaction and write one sentence about why it is important to be kind on the computer or tablet.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Social Awareness
• Self-Awareness

Activity 04

• Role Play
• 30 min · Individual

Individual: Kind Pledge Poster

Each student draws their 'Kind Keyboard' with three personal rules for online kindness, like 'Use nice words' or 'Think before send'. Share pledges in a gallery walk.

Explain how to demonstrate kindness and respect when interacting online without visual cues.

Facilitation Tip

For the Kind Pledge Poster, give students access to colourful materials so the visual appeal reinforces their commitment to kindness.

What to look for

Present students with three sample digital messages. Ask them to circle the kind messages and put a square around the unkind messages, then explain their choices for one message.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Social Awareness
• Self-Awareness

A few notes on teaching this unit

Teach this topic through guided reflection rather than lecturing. Start with scenarios students recognise, like class group chats, to make the concept relevant. Avoid assumptions about their digital experience; instead, let their prior knowledge surface during discussions. Research shows that active role-play builds empathy better than passive instruction, so prioritise opportunities for students to experience both sides of a message.

Students will demonstrate understanding by identifying kind and unkind messages, rewriting unclear or hurtful ones, and practising respectful responses. They will also reflect on how digital choices affect friendships and classroom relationships. Success looks like thoughtful participation, constructive feedback, and a visible commitment to kind digital behaviour.

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• During Role-Play Circles: Chat Scenarios, watch for students who dismiss the activity by saying, 'Words online do not hurt because you cannot see the person's face.'

  Use the role-play to directly experience the emotional impact of messages. Ask receivers to show how they feel with a simple gesture or word, then have senders adjust their language based on that feedback.

• During Pair Rewrite: Fix the Message, watch for students who argue that 'It is fine to be unkind online if it is just a joke.'

  Provide a list of common internet jokes and have students test them in pairs. Ask receivers to rate how clear or upsetting the jokes were, then discuss how tone markers like emojis or context can clarify intentions.

• During Whole Class: Response Relay, watch for students who believe 'Cyberbullying only happens to strangers.'

  Use scenario cards that feature classmates or friends to show how digital behaviour affects people students know. After each role-play, ask the class to share how they would feel if this happened to them or someone they care about.

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Methods used in this brief

• Role Play