Shawn Moran

SLM 521

April 22, 2005

Health and the Internet (Course Module)

Objective: For this course module, participants will be able to identify possible physical and psychological effects of using the internet.

Introduction: In 1965 only 5 percent of children 6 – 11 years old were overweight. By 1994, the rate of overweight children had risen to 14 percent and the number has since increased. Many health professionals believe childhood obesity has increased, in large part because children spend more time sitting in front of electronic media, including the internet.

Activity: Participants are to read each of the following websites that help explain how the internet affects children, both physically and mentally.

Computer Health

Computer Use Among Children

Isolation and the Internet

Impact of Computer Use

Visual Effects from Computers

Physical Impact of Computer Use

Physical Effects of Computer Use

Computer Caution

Assignment: After reading the above websites, write a response, at least 1 page (double spaced) in length, consisting of the following:

Write a paragraph on the possible physical and mental effects that may arise from children spending too much time on the internet.
Once you have written the paragraph on possible physical and mental effects, write another paragraph on what you think can be done to help counter the various health issues related to children and the use of the internet.

Submission: Email the response to the instructor as a word document.

Rubric:

	Unacceptable	Developing	Accomplished
Understanding of the material	The response shows little research on the topic.	The response shows a moderate amount of research on the topic.	The response shows that the participant fully understood the material.
Organization of the material in the response	The organization was presented in an unclear fashion and contains numerous errors.	The organization contained few errors and was semi-difficult to follow.	The organization was easy to follow and the response showed no errors.
Knowledge and originality of the topic.	The response was put together in a hastily manor and showed no originality.	The response was put together with a minimum amount of thought to format or originality.	The response was well thought out and the author showed signs of originality.