Digital Media Literacy · 2nd Year

Active learning ideas

Online Rights and Responsibilities

This unit focuses on the ethical framework of digital citizenship, emphasizing that the internet is a shared public space. Students explore their rights, such as the right to privacy and freedom of expression, alongside their responsibilities to treat others with respect and dignity. This aligns with NCCA DML Learning Outcomes 1.4 and 1.5, which encourage students to be active and ethical participants in digital environments.

• NCCA Curriculum Specifications
• Junior Cycle DML LO 1.3
• Junior Cycle DML LO 1.4

• 30–45 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 3 activities

Activity 01

• Formal Debate
• 45 min · Whole Class

Formal Debate: Privacy vs. Safety

The class is divided into two sides to debate whether parents or schools should have the right to monitor student social media for safety. Students must use evidence from their research to support their arguments.

What are my rights online?

• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Self-Management
• Decision-Making

Activity 02

• Collaborative Problem-Solving
• 40 min · Small Groups

Collaborative Problem-Solving: The Digital Bill of Rights

In small groups, students draft five essential rights and five essential responsibilities for their classroom's digital interactions. They then negotiate with other groups to create a final 'Classroom Charter'.

How do I respect the rights of others?

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Relationship Skills
• Decision-Making
• Self-Management

Activity 03

• Role Play
• 30 min · Small Groups

Role Play: The Upstander Scenario

Students act out short scripts involving online exclusion or unkindness. They must practice different ways to intervene as an 'upstander' rather than a bystander, testing which approaches are most effective.

What is digital citizenship?

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

A few notes on teaching this unit

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• Freedom of speech means I can say anything I want online without consequences.

  Rights come with responsibilities, and platforms have 'Terms of Service' that prohibit hate speech or harassment. Discussion based activities help students distinguish between an opinion and harmful behavior.

• I don't have any rights online because I am a minor.

  Students have clear rights to data protection (GDPR) and protection from harm. Role playing legal scenarios helps students understand how to exercise these rights effectively.

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Methods used in this brief

• Formal Debate
• Collaborative Problem-Solving
• Role Play