Creator: Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung | visit site
Grade Range: 8 - 11
Immerse yourself in the all-too-real world of cyber warfare through this interactive documentary. While possibly a bit alarmist, this project tells the story of cyber warfare using several types of media: online video "webdoc," a graphic novel app (device agnostic and free), a fictional eBook/audiobook/paper book, and interview clips from real world experts on cyber security. Unfortunately, the "webdoc" video intro includes an expletive inappropriate for a classroom, so you will want to <b>preview</b> and probably skip the intro if sharing this in a school setting. Check out the Facts section for tips on protecting your own online data and browsing information. Netwars is optimized to work on any device with a modern web browser and an Internet connection. Only the interactive novel has iOS and Android apps
In the Classroom
Use portions of this site with more mature students to spark discussion about the real (or unreal?) threats of cybersecurity. Every week, news stories about data breaches and hacking proliferate. Include this site as one of many current events topics in a government or civics class where you talk about the issues facing both the executive and legislative branches -- as well as the constitutionality of some proposed solutions. In a research unit in English class, include this as a site to be evaluated. Is this a reliable source? Does it show bias? Is the threat portrayed substantiated with facts or is it designed to scare the audience? Have student groups write and create a web tour using a tool such as Screencast-o-matic, <a href="/single.cfm?id=9564">reviewed here</a>, to make an argument about the site and support their points with examples from the site’s visual "text." Challenge gifted students to research other evidence supporting or debunking the facts from this site. Since the site is also available in German, world language teacher may want to share it with more advanced German students for language listening and practice.
At Home
Watch the videos or explore the graphic novels together with your teen to talk about where cybercrime may be headed. If your teen, like may, lives a totally digital life, this site can open up conversations about the possible scenarios that may occur in the future. Your teen may also discover an interest in cyber security as a career! This is definitely one to explore and talk about <i>together</i>.
Tags
Subjects
Careers & Guidance, Current Events, Engineering/Technology, English, German, Gifted, Government/Civics: U.S, Information Literacy/Research, Science, Social Studies, Social Studies, World Languages, World Languages,