Zippep’s Astro Circus

Posted on by hvannetten

Zippep’s Astro Circus is an online interactive resource that children can use either at home or during a classroom activity, it also has an app available on smartphones. It teaches children about online safety such as; who to trust online, appropriate internet activity and also password and information security. It has different games that will appeal to different learning styles with creative and literal thinking activities. For an evaluation on this look below:

Name of teaching resource

Zippep’s Astro Circus

Weblink (if web-based)

http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/astrocircus/astro-circus-game.html

Who should this digital teaching resource be used with? (ie year/grade)

This resource would be for children in Kindergarten to Year two (5-7 age range)

How should it be used? (e.g. individual, whole class)

This website would be best to experience individually however they could discuss some elements of it with other students or a teacher. There are lesson plans available for both individual and class activities.

Which subject or learning area would it be most appropriate to use in?

This could be used in an IT computer lesson

Identify the strengths of this teaching resource

  • Whole experience has audible and written instructions
  • There are different styles of activities (creative, matching, spelling and critical thinking)
  • Bright colours and upbeat background music make the activity inviting
  • Graphics that are relevant to the age group
  • Deals with appropriate internet behaviors, safety and security on the internet, trusting adults and positive online
    experiences

Identify any weaknesses of this teaching resource

  • Takes time to set up for each child
  • Students may need to ask for continual help
  • If all students are on the site it could get quite noisy and therefore each student would need headphones

Explain any ideas you may have for further use of this teaching resource

This teaching resource could be available for children to look at during free computer time. It also enables the teacher to talk about internet safety practices as well as encouraging children to know which adults whom with they can safely talk to. This activity also has the capabilities of helping the students with spelling, critical thinking and creative outlets. From this we could also talk about the definitions of words such as; trust, safety and security.

References

Australian Communication and Media Authority . (2015, 04 18). Zippep’s Astro Circus lesson plans. Retrieved 04 18, 2015, from Cybersmart: http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/Schools/Teacher%20resources/Lower%20primary/~/media/Cybersmart/Schools/Documents/Zippep/All_Zippep_Lesson_Plans.pdf

Commonwealth of Australia . (2015, 04 18). Zippep’s astro circus ACMA. Retrieved 04 18, 2015, from Cybersmart: http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/astrocircus/astro-circus-game.html

The AMCA (2013), Zippep’s astro circus screenshot (2013). Retrieved 04 15, 2015, from https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=air.floatingCircusMobile

Think 1. (2013). Retrieved 04 15, 2015 from https://shireen122chang.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/think-1.png

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