To promote internet safety in my classroom, some of the strategies that I would use to educate my students
on internet safety is to keep my students informed on the power of the internet and how digital activities have a direct impact on their private lives. It is also important to set very clear expectations and guidelines for internet use in the classroom. In addition to setting clear expectations and educating the students on internet safety practices, it is necessary to develop a habit of monitoring student activities online. This continuous effort not only keeps students in check but it allows timely adult intervention when there is internet misuse such as cyber bullying, inappropriate content, etc.
The following are 3 websites that I found for safe and healthy use of the internet:
www.Ikeepsafe.org
This website provides a foundational approach for introducing children to healthy use of the internet. According to information on the website, it was developed “In response to new student data privacy laws passed in California, the California Student Privacy Badge makes it easy for educators to identify privacy compliant products for use in classrooms, and allows vendors to clearly communicate their dedication to privacy best practices”. Parents, students, educators, and communities are encouraged to use this website for determining safe and healthy use of the internet. The website has a mission to “to give parents, educators, and policymakers the information and tools which empower them to teach children the safe and healthy use of technology and the internet”.
Ikeepsafe.org uses videos, quizzes and online activities to teach kids the basics of internet safety. A cat’s online adventures are featured on the videos that teach internet safety. Then students take an online assessment before they are allowed to start using the internet. By passing the quiz, the students demonstrate a clear understanding of internet safety and consequences for misuse. One important strategy that www.ikeepsafe.org reinforces is to emphasize the expectations through videos for healthy use; dangers and consequences of misuse as well; and allowing students an opportunity to demonstrate internet readiness or maturity prior to use.
on internet safety is to keep my students informed on the power of the internet and how digital activities have a direct impact on their private lives. It is also important to set very clear expectations and guidelines for internet use in the classroom. In addition to setting clear expectations and educating the students on internet safety practices, it is necessary to develop a habit of monitoring student activities online. This continuous effort not only keeps students in check but it allows timely adult intervention when there is internet misuse such as cyber bullying, inappropriate content, etc.
The following are 3 websites that I found for safe and healthy use of the internet:
www.Ikeepsafe.org
This website provides a foundational approach for introducing children to healthy use of the internet. According to information on the website, it was developed “In response to new student data privacy laws passed in California, the California Student Privacy Badge makes it easy for educators to identify privacy compliant products for use in classrooms, and allows vendors to clearly communicate their dedication to privacy best practices”. Parents, students, educators, and communities are encouraged to use this website for determining safe and healthy use of the internet. The website has a mission to “to give parents, educators, and policymakers the information and tools which empower them to teach children the safe and healthy use of technology and the internet”.
Ikeepsafe.org uses videos, quizzes and online activities to teach kids the basics of internet safety. A cat’s online adventures are featured on the videos that teach internet safety. Then students take an online assessment before they are allowed to start using the internet. By passing the quiz, the students demonstrate a clear understanding of internet safety and consequences for misuse. One important strategy that www.ikeepsafe.org reinforces is to emphasize the expectations through videos for healthy use; dangers and consequences of misuse as well; and allowing students an opportunity to demonstrate internet readiness or maturity prior to use.
www.CommonSenseMedia.Org
Common Sense Media is a widely known website for validating the age restrictions for specific media use. In my opinion, it is a comprehensive website for educating children on healthy internet use, rating media, internet safety advocacy and best practices for educators, schools, and parents.
One strategy that I could use to keep my students safe while using the help of this website is to review best practices prior to developing lesson plans that require students to use the internet. Its recommended best practices for educators is a great tool and reminder for maximizing online learning experiences by taking a proactive approach to internet safety rather that a reactive approach… as the saying goes “prevention is better than cure”. Another strategy for using it is to recommend it to parents when an online assignment is given. That way, parents can easily review websites with their children prior to using new website for completing homework or online research from home.
Common Sense Media is a widely known website for validating the age restrictions for specific media use. In my opinion, it is a comprehensive website for educating children on healthy internet use, rating media, internet safety advocacy and best practices for educators, schools, and parents.
One strategy that I could use to keep my students safe while using the help of this website is to review best practices prior to developing lesson plans that require students to use the internet. Its recommended best practices for educators is a great tool and reminder for maximizing online learning experiences by taking a proactive approach to internet safety rather that a reactive approach… as the saying goes “prevention is better than cure”. Another strategy for using it is to recommend it to parents when an online assignment is given. That way, parents can easily review websites with their children prior to using new website for completing homework or online research from home.
This website is actually in collaboration with the National Program for Missing and Exploited Children. It uses songs, videos, comics, quizzes, and interactive games to teach children about internet safety. It is not linked to other websites; therefore, it minimizes unnecessary exposure of kids to other websites. It also provides resources and tips for educators to effectively incorporate their website tools into instructional materials and lesson plans. Therefore, Netz Smartz kids supports safe and healthy internet use for students and educators as well.
One helpful strategy from using Netz Smart Kids to keep kids safe in my classroom is to use the videos that teach consequences of internet abuse by age group. For example, videos that show the consequences of online drama would be a great teaching tool for teenagers given that they are more prone to split second choices that usually lead to online drama due to peer pressure. In other words, it’s resources are categorized by age groups. The fact that it raises awareness for missing and exploited children creates an opportunity for me, as the teacher to emphasize the connection between internet safety and real life safety.
One helpful strategy from using Netz Smart Kids to keep kids safe in my classroom is to use the videos that teach consequences of internet abuse by age group. For example, videos that show the consequences of online drama would be a great teaching tool for teenagers given that they are more prone to split second choices that usually lead to online drama due to peer pressure. In other words, it’s resources are categorized by age groups. The fact that it raises awareness for missing and exploited children creates an opportunity for me, as the teacher to emphasize the connection between internet safety and real life safety.
Tools of the future
In exploring tools of the future, I particularly took a keen interest in cloud computing and infrastructure. It was only about a year ago that I realized some solutions which used to be downloaded to a computer are now cloud based. For example, Microsoft Word Online, Power Point Online, and Excel Online. The newer cloud based solutions are OneNote and OneDrive. OneNote is a collaborative Learning Management Platform, while OneDrive is a cloud storage space. According to Solomon and Schrum, “Typical cloud computing providers deliver common business applications online which are accessed from another web service or software like a web browser, while the software and data are stored on servers” (p. 250).
In exploring tools of the future, I particularly took a keen interest in cloud computing and infrastructure. It was only about a year ago that I realized some solutions which used to be downloaded to a computer are now cloud based. For example, Microsoft Word Online, Power Point Online, and Excel Online. The newer cloud based solutions are OneNote and OneDrive. OneNote is a collaborative Learning Management Platform, while OneDrive is a cloud storage space. According to Solomon and Schrum, “Typical cloud computing providers deliver common business applications online which are accessed from another web service or software like a web browser, while the software and data are stored on servers” (p. 250).
OneNote is a fusion of Microsoft Word capabilities embedded into a Learning Management System. OneNote can be used to create digital binders, save work to OneDrive, and assign work to students, which they can complete online. The best part is that anyone using OneNote can work online or offline. Recently, Microsoft launched an add on tool to the OneNote platform called Learning Tools.
Learning tools is a collection of research proven tools that support diverse learners. With Learning Tools, educators can really personalize learning by using its “dictate” tool support students who struggle with mobility and fine motor skills to author content. Its “immersive reader” tool incorporates highlighting and voice text to incorporate two senses and provide reading supports to English Language Learners and readers who struggle with decoding. When using learning tools, the immersive reader tool can also break down a word by syllables for easier pronunciation. For example, Ge.og.ra.phy. It also has the capability to aid comprehension by emphasizing visual cues to passages being read.
Learning tools is a collection of research proven tools that support diverse learners. With Learning Tools, educators can really personalize learning by using its “dictate” tool support students who struggle with mobility and fine motor skills to author content. Its “immersive reader” tool incorporates highlighting and voice text to incorporate two senses and provide reading supports to English Language Learners and readers who struggle with decoding. When using learning tools, the immersive reader tool can also break down a word by syllables for easier pronunciation. For example, Ge.og.ra.phy. It also has the capability to aid comprehension by emphasizing visual cues to passages being read.
Web 2.0 certainly has a future in education; however, I’m concerned that some of the Web 2.0 tools that drive the curriculum today will likely be phased out within the next decade because technology is moving very fast and the longevity of educational technology is only defined by its ability to remain dynamic, that means, what is new today will likely be outdated by tomorrow… figuratively speaking of course. To think that VHS probably belongs to museums today and the iphone is less than 10 years old yet has managed to leave a legacy in technology, tells me there’s more to come and it is beyond my imagination. But if I would dare to imagine, I envision school systems where subject matter experts will support authentic learning by visiting classrooms in hologram. Or the teacher can use holograms to provide instruction to homebound students. As a matter of fact, I won’t be surprised if some classrooms in Japan are already playing around with holograms.
Some of the challenges that may arrive with holograms or adding new technologies is complexity, high cost and frustration. According Schrum and Solomon, “adding new technology without simultaneously upgrading the bandwidth and infrastructure would almost guarantee failure and frustration. In other words, keeping up with modern technology can be complex and expensive.
No matter the cost, of keeping schools abreast with newest technology, its advantages are numerous: For students with disabilities, some of their academic accomplishments that could not be accomplished in the past would be made possible. For the average learner, increased engagement is beneficial for maximizing academic potential. These benefits are priceless and worthwhile.
Resources
Solomon & Schrum, 2014. Web 2.0 How-To for Educators. 2nd Edition
2016, July 16. Retrieved from www.ikeepsafe.org
Some of the challenges that may arrive with holograms or adding new technologies is complexity, high cost and frustration. According Schrum and Solomon, “adding new technology without simultaneously upgrading the bandwidth and infrastructure would almost guarantee failure and frustration. In other words, keeping up with modern technology can be complex and expensive.
No matter the cost, of keeping schools abreast with newest technology, its advantages are numerous: For students with disabilities, some of their academic accomplishments that could not be accomplished in the past would be made possible. For the average learner, increased engagement is beneficial for maximizing academic potential. These benefits are priceless and worthwhile.
Resources
Solomon & Schrum, 2014. Web 2.0 How-To for Educators. 2nd Edition
2016, July 16. Retrieved from www.ikeepsafe.org