Integrating cybersafety into your school’s curriculum

Schools have an important responsibility to integrate education about the safe and responsible use of ICT into every curriculum area at all levels. This can range from reiterating key messages from the students’ use agreement before using a computer lab, to incorporating cybersafety themed lessons into each subject taught at your school.

Educating students about cybersafety and how to be an effective cybercitizen aligns closely with each of the key competencies identified in the New Zealand Curriculum as crucial for young people to master. As well,  the values outlined in the curriculum align well with the concept of cybercitizenship, particularly those of integrity, inquiry, community and participation. The importance of incorporating such education is increasingly paramount as the sophistication of young people’s cyber-literacy continues to develop.
 
The NetSafe Cybercitizenship Pathway provides teachers with a practical guide to integrating cybercitizenship into their learning programmes.  Cybercitizenship is best developed when it is embodied and modeled  in every interaction with cyberspace, and in every learning area.  As ICT becomes increasingly integrated into the curriculum so too must the principles of cybercitizenship.

NetSafe pamphlets and posters are also available to order for your school community, and can be ordered through the NetSafe website (www.netsafe.org.nz), on 0508 NETSAFE (638 723) or from queries@netsafe.org.nz