Applying Social and Ethical Protocols and Practicals (ASEPP) at the Year 10 level

General Capabilties of the Curriculum

Applying Social and Ethical Protocols and Practices (ASEPP) is one of the five interrelated elements of the ICT learning capabilities set by the Australian Curriculum. This element aims to facilitate student understanding and competency towards applying social and ethical procedures when using digital technologies (Australian Curriculum, n.d.). ASEPP is split into four content descriptors that detail the skills and knowledge students should attain by the end of year 10.

1) Recognize intellectual property
2) Apply digital information security practices
3) Apply personal security protocols
4) Identify the impacts of ICT in society
A more in-depth description of the content descriptors is provided at the following link:
ICT General Capabilities

By knowing these essential practices and procedures, students will understand the benefits and consequences that are associated with the independent, group, or community use of ICT technologies. (Australian Curriculum, n.d.)

Why is it an important part of the curriculum?

ICT Technology has grown at a rapid pace to present us with new and innovative opportunities towards the way individuals learn and interact within society. In particular, ICT has expanded in the areas that include computer networks, electronic devices, information accessibility, and the development of virtual communities. (Government of South Australia, 2009)

Young people have become increasingly accustomed towards an open and collaborative online environment in which it has become a part of their daily lives. During this time, year 10 students are at a very dynamic stage of their development that is commonly associated with risk-taking behaviors and the emergence of independent decision-making capabilities (Australian Institute of Family Studies, 2016; Parent Link, 2016). By becoming involved in this area of development, parents can help students to learn about the associated risks and practice the skills required for safe and ethical ICT use. Providing this guidance can help to facilitate critical thinking towards what children are exposed to, and further promote the key trends that confront online safety (Parent Link, 2016).

The key trends that confront today's youth can be found here at eSafety.

Learning ASEPP within the Health and Physical Education setting.

Students can develop these capabilities within a Health and Physical Education context through analyzing the impact that ICT technologies may have on themselves and others throughout society. A lesson may begin with a pre-assessment activity such as a mind-map, where students brainstorm a list of different technological formats that they use or are available for use on a daily basis. Answers may include examples such as:

- Social networking sites
- Computers
- Mobile phones
- Game devises

Mind-map example by G. Altmann (geralt), n.d.

This activity can then be extended upon to challenge students to critique the benefits and potential harms associated with ICT use. Example:

Positive: Social networking helps friends connect more easily
Negative: Social networking can be used as a source for cyber-bullying.

These activities provide students with the opportunity to reflect upon and explore the impact that technologies may have. With this established, learning can then shift towards the key idea of their own digital footprint and how students individually navigate throughout the online world. The following resource, Digital Citizenship for Students represents an activity that challenges students to critique their own digital citizenship through ways they can safely navigate, or respond to specific situations that are commonly encountered within ICT technologies.

Ultimately a lesson that incorporates these types of activities can help facilitate a student's understanding that ICT technologies bring great benefits, albeit potential harms through their own digital footprints. Being aware of these issues can furthermore allow students to reflect and forward plan on how they can become safe, ethical, and responsible digital citizens.

What students can do at school, home, or elsewhere

Students can readily transfer skills and knowledge to ensure safe, responsible, and ethical use of ICT throughout their schooling, at home, and in the wider world. Such precautions may include:

1) Understanding their role as a digital citizen: We live in an environment where we have become digital citizens in everyday tasks and routines. By understanding and heightening our awareness towards these issues can allow students to implement strategies that protect themselves in the use of ICT. Find out more about digital citizenship here.
2) Know potential threats or consequences: The following video provides a concise summery for the issues, threats, or consequences that students face as digital citizens.

(Teen Expert Josh Shipp, 2012)

3) Clean up their digital footprint: The following resource, clean up your digital footprint can be used by students or parents alike to assist them in protecting their reputation as an individual online.

How can parents become involved?

There are multiple ways that parents can become involved in educative process for ASEPP. These include..

1) Take a hands-on approach: This effort is the first step towards creating a positive and supportive environment in which you and your child can strengthen communication and trust. This strategy is also a great opportunity for you to further your own digital citizenship skills and understanding for cyber safety.

2) Take steps towards managing the use of ICT devices: This resource by eSafety can inform you of the different strategies and measures you can take to manage ICT devices within your own home.

3) Understand and promote the concepts of Creative Commons (CC): Understanding Creative Commons licences will allow you to promote the safe and ethical use of online resources. This can help your child to develop a greater appreciation for the work of others and assist them in their capability to find and utilize reputable resources legally.

Example of a CC licensed image (Busges 2014)

References:
Altmann, G. (n.d.). Woman, Thoughts, Girl, Social Media, Joy, Map, Mind Map. Retrieved from https://pixabay.com/en/woman-thoughts-girl-social-media-1169316/

Australian Curriculum. (n.d.). Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Capability. Retrieved from http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/generalcapabilities/information-and-communication-technology-capability/introduction/introduction

Australian Government: eSafety. (n.d.). eSafety Issues. Retrieved from https://www.esafety.gov.au/esafety-information/esafety-issues

Australian Government: eSafety. (n.d.). 7 ways ti manage web-connected devices in the home. Retrieved from https://www.esafety.gov.au/education-resources/iparent/7-ways-infographic

Australian Institute of Family Studies. (2016). Online Safety. Retrieved from https://aifs.gov.au/cfca/publications/online-safety

Busges, M. (2014). Open Content - A Practical Guide to Using Open Content Licenses. [image]. Retrieved from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AOpen_Content_A_Practical_Guide_to_Using_Creative_Commons_Licences_web-29.png

Creative Commons. (n.d.). What we do. Retrieved from https://creativecommons.org/about/

Government of South Australia. (2009). Cyber Safety: Keeping Children Safe in a Connected World. Guidelines for Schools and Preschools. Retrieved from http://old.decd.sa.gov.au/docs/documents/1/CyberSafetyKeepingChildre.pdf

Harris, M. (n.d.). Digital Citizenship for Students - Internet Safety Scenarios. Retrieved from http://mattharrisedd.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Digital-Citizenship-for-Students-Internet-Safety-Scenarios-Matt-Harris-Ed.D..pdf

Parent Link: ACT Government. (2016). Cyber Safety. Retrieved from http://www.parentlink.act.gov.au/parenting-resources/parenting-guides/adult-issues/cyber-safety

Teen Expert Josh Shipp. (2012, August 23). Internet Safety Tips for Teens - Helpful and Funny [video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cnc4LaevRBw