NetSmartz Workshop NetSmartz411.org NSTeens NetSmartz Kids

NetSmartz Characters

How To Use NetSmartz

NetSmartz can be used online or downloaded onto a computer. If you download NetSmartz from your state or organization's web pages or install it using the CDs, you are using the downloadable versions. The downloadable NetSmartz Workshop versions run without Internet access and have the full-motion audio, video, and animation quality expected from a cartoon. These downloadable versions are available only to states or organizations that have an official partnership with NetSmartz and have housed these downloads on a local intranet or have been provided the installation CDs.

Initially the downloads will take some time; however, once NetSmartz has been downloaded onto a CD or a hard drive, there is instant access to the NetSmartz materials. Instructors can track children's progress by using the downloadable version. When children complete the NetSmartz safety program for their age group, a certificate and web license are printed and a report card is generated listing the scores for each activity and quiz. The computer tracks which activities the children have completed, and the report card, web license, and certificate are not printed until they have completed every activity and quiz.

At www.NetSmartz.org and www.NetSmartzKids.org, you have access to more games and activities that reinforce Internet safety and the NetSmartz characters.

Option 1: Group Activities

You can present the NetSmartz Internet safety program to an entire group of children at the same time by connecting a computer to an LCD projector or television monitor.

The activity cards include worksheets, discussion questions, art projects, writing activities, and cooperative learning techniques. The cards are designed to be easily adaptable and most take between 20 to 25 minutes of class time. You may choose to use just one activity card or incorporate several cards into a larger unit of time.

To use the downloaded programs in front of a group, log in as "teacher" for the first and last names. This unlocks a feature that allows you to go to any activity in any order. When children log in using their own log-in names, they must complete all activities in order.

Option 2: Individual Activities

Children complete computer activities through independent learning programs at their own pace on individual computers in a classroom or computer lab.

Each program has a series of interactive, age-appropriate activities that can be completed over a period of time. Children will spend approximately 5 to 10 minutes on each activity and can complete the self-running programs at their own pace. Once they create a login name, they must log in to the same computer with the same log-in name for the computer to track their progress and ensure that the activities are completed in order. If they exit in the middle of an activity, the computer will start them at the beginning of that activity the next time they log in. Upon completion, children will be prompted to print out a certificate and web license to show their instructor.

Option 3: Combination of Group and Individual Activities

Encourage children to complete the computer activities on their own and use the NetSmartz activity cards to emphasize concepts and skills that pertain to the specific needs of the child or group.

Option 4: Integrating NetSmartz into Existing Instruction

There are ways Internet safety concepts can be incorporated without formally teaching Internet safety as a separate topic.