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© Copyright 2007 Toronto Public Library 1

The Kids @ Computers Challenge!


Kids @ Computers

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The Kids @ Computers Assignment Overview ………………………….. 3 How Do I Take the Challenge? ……………………………………………. 4 Kids @ Computers Glossary ………………………………………………. 5 Kids @ Computers Q&A

Web surfing, Privacy and Safety ………………………………….. 7 Email ………………………………………………………………….. 9 Chat Rooms and Instant Messaging ………………………………. 10 Exploring the Toronto Public Library …………………………….. 12 How to do Research on the Internet ……………………………… 14 \Find Some information now ………………………………………. 16 Exploring Toronto …………………………………………………... 18 Fun Fun Fun ………………………………………………………….. 19

The Toronto Public Library ………………………………………………… 20 Web Awareness ……………………………………………………………... 21 Family Contract for Online Safety ………………………………………… 22 Notes …………………………………………………………………………..23


The Assignment

Kids @ Computers includes both this booklet and your Toronto Public Library Children’s Card. Be sure to keep both of these safe in order to complete the tasks!

Why? • Kids @ Computers is all about learning information skills using the Internet and

library resources. • Plus, when you have a valid Toronto Public Library card you can go to any one of the

99 libraries and use the FREE Internet computers to complete your Kids@Computers program.

• You can book a computer (using Reserve a Computer Service) by yourself, up to three days ahead of your trip to the library AND guarantee your session for a full hour.

Where are these 99 libraries?

Ask for a map at the library front desk to see where the 99 libraries are located – remember each library will let you use their Internet computers for free! OR

Go to the Toronto Public Library home page “Your Library” section to see an online map with hours and locations.

• http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca • http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/hou_loc_index.jsp

How do I use the Reserve a Computer Service?

Reserve a Computer is available at any library branch or from anywhere that you have Internet access. Use your Toronto Public Library card number and a PIN (the last four numbers in your phone number) to login and reserve yourself a spot at your favourite library.

• http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/res_index.jsp

http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/

http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/hou_loc_index.jsp

http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/res_index.jsp


THE Kids @ Computer Challenge

How can you take the challenge?

• Find the Kids @ Computers website by typing http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/kac into the address box:

Click on “START” to Take the Quiz!

For help when doing the assignment, select the “links” page.

You can download the Kids @ Computer Challenge in the “downloads” section.


GLOSSARY

You will probably see some words in your assignment that you do not know. Here is a list of some that you should get to know.

Attach To fasten or include a photo, music or file when sending messages to other people over the Internet.

Bias/Biased A way of thinking or an opinion that always favours one way of feeling or acting over another way.

Branch A library location and building in the Toronto Public Library there are 99 different library locations, each with its own branch name.

Browser A software program that lets you view web pages (also called websites) on the World Wide Web to find text, graphics, sound, movies, games, chat rooms and more.

Chat A way for people from all around the world to “talk” to each other on the Internet by typing. People can chat with one another by visiting a chat room.

Chat Room A place on the Internet where you and your friends can hang out to talk and share ideas.

Cookie Information that a Web site puts on your computer so that it can remember something about you later.

Cyberspace The online world of computer networks. Sometimes people will use the word Internet and Cyberspace to mean the same thing.

Dewey Call Number A unique number on the spine of a nonfiction (true) book that helps you find the book on the shelves of a library.

Discussion Groups A place on the Internet where you can share ideas and talk about things with other people. It is different than a chat room because you usually talk about just one thing at a time.

Download A way to open and save programs, images, audio files, or information from another computer onto your own computer.

Email Electronic mail – a way of sending messages from one computer to another. You can attach photos or files or other information with your message. The message waits in another computer until the person goes online to get it.

File Sharing Lets you search and copy music, movies and files from other people’s computers onto to your own computer.

Internet Millions of computers around the world connected to each other by telephone wires, cables and satellites. Browsing the World Wide Web, sending email, chatting, and downloading are just some of the things you can do on the Internet.

Message Board Websites that offer message boards allow you to post (write) notes or comments that can be seen and read by everyone who visits the site.

Moderator Someone in charge of a chat room to make sure nothing bad happens.

Netiquette Rules or manners for polite and considerate ways to behave and talk on the Internet.

Online Surfing When you go on to the Internet and visit lots and lots of websites. Privacy Policy or Privacy Statement

This tell you how a website will use your personal information. For example, a privacy policy will tell you what information the website will collect from you and what they might do with that information.

Search Plan The different steps to follow to find information about any subject.


Search Plans can work on the Internet and at libraries. Search Tool A Web site that you can use to search for different subjects. For

example, Yahooligans and Google are great examples of search tools that you can use to help with your school projects.

Software A program with instructions for running your computer. The instructions are stored as bits and bytes. Microsoft Word, a Browser, and even computer games are examples of software.

URL Uniform Resource Locator

The address of a website on the World Wide Web.

User Name A nickname you use instead of your real name so that no one knows who you are.

Virus A computer program that is written to purposely damage your computer. Your computer can get a virus from another computer, from disks or from the Internet. You can protect your computer from viruses by using antivirus software and by only downloading programs or attachments from people and places you trust.

WWW World Wide Web

The Web is the part of the Internet that consists of pages (documents) linked to each other around the world. These pages have written information, pictures, sounds and more.

Definitions have been adapted from the following sources:

• TekMom, Anne Savage, Copyright 19982004 • MirriamWebster, Incorporated, Copyright 1998, 1999 • Wikipedia.org, Copyright 2004


KIDS @ COMPUTERS Q&A!

The first 5 sections can be answered mostly by viewing the Quiz on the Kids’ Space website. There are also some websites in the links area for more complete information.

Sometimes we suggest which website to look at. Other times you have to decide for yourself which ones to use.

Web surfing, Privacy and Safety LEVEL ONE

1) If you're surfing the internet and an ad pops up on your screen, what should you do?

2) What are “private” pieces of information?

3) If a website you're on asks for private information, what should you do? What should you know about the website?

4) What should you do if someone you meet online wants to meet in person?

5) What's the least private method of communicating online? a) chat rooms b) instant messaging c) email

Why?


Web surfing, Privacy and Safety LEVEL TWO

1) Many websites have privacy policies. Can you find them at the websites in the links? Do they use cookies?

2) Do the websites tell you how to get rid of the information they have collected about you?


Email – LEVEL ONE

1) What two things do you need to login to an email account?

3) Should you open emails from people you don't know? Why?

4) What is junk mail or spam?

Email – Level Two

1) Can you name 2 ways to not get spam?


Chat Rooms and Instant Messaging – LEVEL ONE

1) Which of these is ok to talk about in a chat room?

a) Your real name b) How old you are c) What school you go to d) Your user name e) Your favourite movie f) Your address

2) What does it mean when a chat room is monitored or moderated?

3) What's a “buddy list” in Instant Messenger? It is also called a “Friends list”.

4) How is instant messaging safer than chat rooms?


Chat Rooms and Instant Messaging – LEVEL TWO

1) What types of files can you download from the internet?

2) Name one thing to worry about when downloading files


Exploring the Toronto Public Library – LEVEL ONE

1) List three activities or events happening at the Toronto Public Library. Hint : start at the Fun & Toronto section on Kids’ Space

2) Find the library closest to your home. What is the name and address of this branch? Hint: Check the Hours and Locations section on our main page

3) Find a book you'd like to read from the Books and Stories section of the Kids’ Space site. Write it down here.

4) Now look it up on the catalogue. Does your closest library own the book?

5) If you have an email address, try sending an ecard from the Games & Giggles section of the Kids’ Space site.


6) You can get homework help on the Kids’ Space site. Find three interesting topics you'd like to research in the Homework section of the site. Hint: Look in Explore and Learn.What did you choose?

Exploring the Toronto Public Library – Level Two

1) Look this book up and put it on hold in the catalogue. If you don’t want to read it, cancel the hold. Bone: Out from Boneville

2) What is the book of the week on Ramp?


How to Do Research on the Internet LEVEL ONE

1) If you were looking for information on how lions hunt, list the search terms you'd use to get the best results. Can you think of at least 4? Write them down.

2) Why does using more search words give you better results?

3) Why is it important to know who created a website?

4) How many websites should you read when doing research for a project?

5) You have homework on the planet Mars. Look at the 2 websites about Mars http://www.idiotica.com/encyclopedia/content/mars.htm http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/facts/ Who wrote these 2 websites? Which one has better information?

http://www.idiotica.com/encyclopedia/content/mars.htm

http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/facts/


How to Do Research on the Internet LEVEL TWO

1 )What does it mean if a website URL ends in: a. .gov b. .ca c. .org d. .com


Find some information now – LEVEL ONE

1) How much does the Earth weigh? Hint: Look at How Stuff Works and use the search box

2) What is an echidna? Name 3 things about it. Hint Kids Click

3) While you are in Kids Click, can you find a website about spelling here too? What is the URL?

4) Find a dictionary website in KidsClick. Look up the word “zither” and write down what the word means.


5) Find out what the weather's like in St. John's Newfoundland today.

6) If you weighed 100 pounds on earth how much would you weigh on Saturn? Use both links to find your answer and if you need to, look at others too.

Find some information now – LEVEL TWO

1) You want to find out information about Curious George because you saw the movie. Try Google and wikipedia. Which do you like the best? Why?

2) Try a dictionary site, like dictionary.com, and find a word that is new to you. Write the word and its meaning.


Exploring Toronto – LEVEL ONE

1) Find something fun to do in Toronto with your family on the weekend. Hint: Try the Kids’ Space website.

Fun Fun Fun – LEVEL ONE

What is your favourite website on the internet? Why do you like it?


The Toronto Public Library is the largest public library system in Canada, with over 99 library branches and more than 11 million items to borrow or use in the library.

What’s in it for you?

• Millions of books, CD’s, videos & DVDs, and magazines to borrow

• Internet access and great Internet resources o Kids’ Space – Websites, fun facts, games, homework help o RAMP for teens – online meeting place to find out about Toronto, share ideas,

homework help, Websites o Ontario History Quest – original letters, diaries, pictures, documents for history

projects in grades 710

• Leading to Reading and Homework Help Clubs Help with reading and writing skills for children in grades 26 during the school year.

• Summer Leading to Reading Fun activities, games and help with reading skills for children grades 2 –6.

• TD Summer Reading Club Loads of fun activities, games and programs to help you enjoy your summer reading.

• Ontario Library Association Reading Programs Read your favourite authors, learn about others and vote for the year’s best author in Blue Spruce (age 58), Silver Birch (age 811) and Red Maple (age 1115) categories.

• Youth Advisory Groups Youth, grades 7 to 12, earn community service hours, make new friends, talk about books, movies, music, create library displays, and just have fun.

For more information about the Toronto Public Library programs and services, go to its homepage at:

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Web Awareness

What is the World Wide Web? • Electronic pages containing text, pictures, sound, video, music or software • Links to sites for downloading or using games, music, software • Places to communicate with other people by email, instant messaging or chat.

How do you see what is on the Web? • Software on your computer called a Web Browser like Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape

Communicator lets you see things on the Web.

What is Email? • Email is electronic mail that lets you send messages over the Internet almost instantly no matter

where you are in the world. • It is faster and cheaper than regular mail.

What is Chat? • Chat is one of the favourite places for kids on the Web • Chat allows lots of people to talk (by typing) in real time, all at the same time, and everyone gets to

see what everyone else is saying.

What is Instant Messaging? • Instant messaging is software that lets you choose the people you want to talk to or mail. • It is safer than Chat because you get to decide who is in your own instant messaging group or list.

Advantages of the Web for Children • Huge amounts of uptodate information about any subject you can think of • Help with homework or research • Fun, entertaining games • Music, videos and information about hobbies, sports, things to do, you name it… • Opportunities to share ideas and communicate with other kids • Opportunities to create and share personal websites, drawings, music or writing

Disadvantages of the Web for Children • Misleading or incorrect information • Online hoaxes or scams • Threats to personal privacy • Pornography, racist, bigoted or personally unacceptable content or messages • Promotion of unhealthy or antisocial activities • Market targeting and promotion of products or services to kids • Information on violent, dangerous or illegal activities

(Adapted from www.mediaawareness.ca Copyright 2004)

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Family Contract for Online Safety

1. I will not give out personal information such as my address, telephone number, any pictures of myself, parents’ work address/telephone number or the name/location of my school without my parents’ permission.

2. I will get to know the web services and sites my child uses and the online friends that they make, just as I would know the places they go and the people they play with. If I don’t know how to use them, I will get my child to show me how.

3. I will tell my parents right away if I come across information that makes me feel uneasy or if messages are mean or unkind to me or anyone else.

4. I will never agree to see someone that I meet online without first talking to my parents. If my parents agree to the meeting, I will be sure that it is in a public place and will bring my mother or father with me.

5. I will not overreact if my child tells me about a problem he or she is having on the Internet. Instead we will work together to try to solve the problem and prevent it from happening again.

6. We will talk together as a family to set up rules for going online. We will decide on the time of the day and length of time for being online and the websites that are okay to visit. I will not access other areas or break these rules without their permission.

7. I will not share my Internet passwords with anybody, including my best friends, except my parents.

8. I will be a good online citizen and not do anything that hurts other people or is against the law.

Adapted from Online Safety Project 2002 and SafeKids.com 2004

• I agree to the rules set out above.

• I will help my child follow this agreement and will allow reasonable use of the Internet as long as these rules and other family rules are followed.

• I agree to the rules set out above.

• I understand that my parent(s) has agreed to these rules and I agree to help my parent(s) explore the Internet with me.

Parent(s) sign here. Child sign here.

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Notes

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