Parkland Place Based Map Synergy Project.
At Parkland, we are working on developing a collaborative, many layered digital Google Map that captures, organises and shares many different views and perspectives on our Saanich Peninsula.
We have begun working with many classes from many different subject areas to go out and capture video, images, interviews, and content from their explorations to our unique and special spots around our region.
We hope to create many different "layers" on the map, from simple demographic layers, layers of all the SD63 Schools, as well as "Biology", "Geography", "First Nations" and "Marine Science" layers that capture the different interesting spots, discoveries and highlights from around our region. These spots will be captured through photos, videos, 360 degree photo-spheres and interviews.
Digital Citizenship is an important part of this map building process and we have begun talking with our classes and students about appropriate usage with our GoPro Cameras, and capturing only images and video of students who are 1) comfortable being captured, and 2) have a signed release form on file.
We also have all SD63 students sign a G-Suite Permission form that explains what personal information is used on their SD63 Google accounts, and that they need to be informed about what is captured, what is not, and how it will be used. We regularly review the personal information used in our systems and the addition of the SETBC required permission forms is similar to our existing SD63 practices. We are working on capturing permission forms for any student that is apart of our project in a personal and identifiable way.
Overall, digital citizenship is about more than just protecting personal information. Digital Citizenship can be simplified to just 'citizenship' in that we want our students to be respectful of each other, as well as respectful of each other's digital presence, online activities and opportunities to choose whether they are visible and identifiable participants in our community events. We need to respect all viewpoints and provide alternatives for students who are not comfortable in front of the camera, or having their personal information shared online by others. We need to practice good citizenship with each other all the time, whether digital or not. This project is allowing us to explore these concepts with students, and provide real world learning opportunities that reflect what they might be building or creating on their own in their communities and families.
We would also like to acknowledge that we have the privilege of working and living on the traditional territory of the W̱SÁNEĆ people. As part of our project, we aim to connect with local elders and knowledge keepers in partnership to respectfully include traditionally significant geographical locations. We will be connecting with members of the 4 nations that reside on the Saanich Peninsula: TSAWOUT, TSARTLIP, PAUQUACHIN, and TSEYCUM. We will be following the Saanich School District 63 protocol to ensure that all necessary steps are taken in this project when representing local knowledge from community members. It is important to us that the stories and information that is presented on our map is both factual and respectful.
We've also had a different class go to a local beach near our school to do a Beach Clean up day and they also used the opportunity to catch a few good pics and videos of our local marine environment.