Procedure

This task consists of three parts and includes a “rally” with six stations. The stations can be combined as desired depending on the time available and the needs and prior knowledge of the group.

In the first part, the moderator introduces the task, explains the method, and gives a brief overview of the stations, explaining what content will be covered and what learning objectives there are. Detailed descriptions of the stations can be found in the working materials.

The second and longest part is where the actual station work takes place. This means that participants move freely between the six stations. The facilitator is available to answer questions and provide assistance during the work phase.

The third part is a reflection session led by the facilitator. This can be shorter or longer depending on the time available.

Preparation

• In order to ensure “free” movement between the individual stations, we recommend two options, each with different preparation requirements:
  • 1) The simple option: All individual working materials for the respective stations are freely accessible to everyone so that participants can easily access the relevant material when changing stations (e.g., Miro Board). A station change could look like this: participants are in sub-group sessions, with each session representing a station. Participants must first be given permission to switch independently between stations or breakout sessions. 
  • 2) The complex option: Here, a digital tool is used to recreate a room in which participants can move around freely as avatars. The working materials are placed at different locations in the room, thus representing a station. Since the participants meet in a digital space, they can only hear the people who are in their immediate vicinity, similar to an analog space. An example of such a tool for creating a digital room is Gather Town. It may be helpful to send login details and brief instructions to all participants in advance.
• The links provided at the stations must be checked to ensure they are up to date.

Notes on facilitation

• The level of difficulty of the individual stations varies.
• Each station is a self-contained learning unit.
• It is recommended that participants complete the Internet rally in small groups. The moderator decides in advance whether the groups will be reorganized for each task or whether all stations will be completed together in a small group. Each group is free to switch between the stations, as the amount of time required varies depending on the group’s prior knowledge.
• It is a good idea to first introduce the individual stations to the participants and explain the content and learning objectives. Detailed descriptions of the stations can be found in the working materials.
• Additional start and finish points for the participants must be added to the table for the Wikipedia race.

Station overview with learning objectives

• WIKIPEDIA RACE
  • Participants find the fastest way from article A to article B. In doing so, they learn about link structures, a basic function of the internet, in a playful way. They navigate through free knowledge and marvel at digital volunteer work.
• BROWSER BALLET
  • Participants learn elegant finger gymnastics by using shortcuts to speed up their movements through the web – because a computer can be operated with more than just a mouse.
• RESEARCH MEMORY
  • Participants learn that although Google is an all-rounder for research, sometimes specialists are needed. To this end, search scenarios are assigned to the appropriate points of contact. This diversifies search strategies.
• INSPIRATION
  • The internet is not just news, shopping, videos, and social media. This station shows particularly successful websites that do something a little different. It aims to amaze and encourage a positive attitude toward internet culture.
• REVERSE ENGINEERING
  • The focus of this station is to develop an understanding of how search engines work in a playful way: Which search terms could have led to the results shown?
• SEARCH AND YOU WILL FIND
  • This is where things get serious: participants are given a set of different search tasks and have to provide accurate answers as quickly as possible.