Into Film and Doc Academy urge schools to teach conscious use of the internet

What does it mean to be addicted to something and how much time on the internet is too much?  What is the role of Facebook, Google and other major corporations behind the internet?  What are the consequences of cyberbullying?  These and other vital questions about the influence of the worldwide web on modern teenagers are the focus of a hard hitting new resource for Key Stage 4 English teachers created by education charity Into Film and documentary focused education resource provider Doc Academy.

The resource is inspired by filmmaker Beeban Kidron’s thought provoking documentary InRealLife, which investigates the complex relationship different groups of young people have with the internet. Launched on 2nd July it is aimed as a tool for use by teachers now to encourage young people to use the internet safely over the summer holidays, and in the new school year to reinforce messages about online safety and support the curriculum in English, with cross curricular pointers to ICT, PSHCE and Media Studies.

A five unit lesson plan supplemented by teacher’s notes and clips from the film invites pupils to engage with the material and develop their reading, writing and spoken language skills through activities ranging from producing a Prezi presentation to holding a Question Time debate, writing a blog, creating a campaign advert and making a video diary.   Included are links to other useful resources and short films made by young people around the subject of internet safety.

The full resource and film clips are available to download at https://docacademy.org/films/19/real-life/; copies of InRealLife are free to order for all schools with an Into Film Club and a PDF of the lesson plan can be downloaded at http://www.intofilm.org/inreallife-resource

Education specialist and former Head of Faculty and Assistant Headteacher Shane Richardson, who wrote the resource, says: “InRealLife is one of the most important films for the 21st Century classroom.  Its searing deconstruction of how the internet impacts the everyday lives of young people, and the sometimes appalling consequences, are prime material for engaging students. This film will challenge and fascinate students in equal measure, providing an excellent opportunity for learning.”