Dig into issues surrounding online surveillance through discussion, reflection, and exploration of different examples
About This Module
This curriculum module is based on takeaways from series five of NYC Digital Safety training videos. You may use this module by:
- Including it in your pre-existing public workshops
- Combining it with other NYC Digital Safety modules to make a longer data-privacy focused workshop
- Sharing the handout with library users at various service points
Downloadable presentation slide and a facilitation guide can be found below.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this module, learners will be able to:
- Define surveillance, particularly in an online context
- Describe issues and challenges surrounding surveillance in online environments
- Identify ways to continue learning about online surveillance issues
Lesson Plan
This lesson plan is also included in the downloadable facilitation guide below. You are welcome to use any and all of this, or adapt it as you see fit.
This module will take approximately 55 to 60 minutes to complete.
Introduction and welcome
Greet learners and share the plan for this module
Define surveillance and discuss the definition of surveillance
Start by introducing a broader definition of surveillance. Then, open a discussion and have your learners share their own thoughts and impressions about the term
Surveillance mechanisms
Review the information here on how and where surveillance tends to occur. Share the technologies used to engage in surveillance and the different entities that engage in surveillance, including governments and private companies
Activity: Online surveillance examples
Briefly pause to see if any of your learners have any examples of online surveillance that they have heard about and would like to share
Debates on surveillance
Review some of the debates surrounding surveillance, especially online surveillance. These debates include situations where surveillance might be beneficial, situations where it is damaging and harmful, and questions arising from surveillance and data-gathering practices online
Activity: Surveillance debate
Begin by introducing some discussion guidelines and what to do if the discussion gets heated or uncomfortable.
Next, have your learners engage in individual reflection for about 5 minutes to consider how surveillance affects their online experiences. Break your learners into small groups. Post the questions on the slide around online surveillance in different situations to them and encourage them to discuss and share their views for about 15 minutes
Wrap up, final tips, and final questions
Review the closing thoughts and share the suggested resources. See if anyone has any final questions
Next Steps
Download the materials below for use in your workshop or at service points throughout your library.
If you plan to create a longer privacy-focused workshop using these materials, here is a link to Google slides. Feel free to make a copy if you’d like to add these slides to any other deck.
And please let us know how it went! Use this form to share your feedback on this module. We’d love to hear from you.