Data Defenders: Managing collection of personal information online, a game for students in grades 4-6
Organization
MediaSmarts
Published
2018
Project Leader(s)
Jane Tallim, Co-Executive Director
Summary
MediaSmarts developed Data Defenders / Protecteurs de données, a bilingual interactive game that teaches students in grades 4 to 6 about the concept of personal data and its economic value, the ways in which data is collected online, and how to control what information is collected and how it is used. In addition to teaching students about data and data collection, Data Defenders / Défenseurs des données also provides opportunities for students to practice skills and tools for managing privacy.
The core gameplay of Data Defenders is a “match-three” game that introduces players to key concepts of the information economy, particularly the idea that we pay for many online services and activities with our personal information. The game lasts two rounds. In the first round, players try to get the highest possible score by matching tiles (representing different types of personal information) before they run out of moves. In the second round, players are told that their new goal is to keep their privacy score as high as possible. To help them do this, they are given opportunities to complete quizzes that show them how to protect their privacy online and prevent them from losing privacy points.
Data Defenders / Défenseurs des données was developed in HTML5 and is supported by an accompanying lesson plan and teachers’ and parents’ guides. In addition to supporting outcomes from the Personal Data Protection Competency Framework for School Students, the online tutorial and lesson plan are also linked to existing curricular outcomes in each province and territory, to ensure that it is widely adopted in Canadian schools.
Project deliverables are available in the following language(s):
English
French
OPC Funded Project
This project received funding support through the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada’s Contributions Program. The opinions expressed in the summary and report(s) are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada. Summaries have been provided by the project authors. Please note that the projects appear in their language of origin.
Contact Information
MediaSmarts
205 Catherine Street, Suite 100
Ottawa, ON, K2P 1C3
Tel: 613-224-7721
Fax: 613-761-9024
jtallim@mediasmarts.ca
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