Attribution:TechnoGiants Blog
It is imperative that we keep our students safe on the Read/Write Web (Richardson, 2010). Internet safety is not only important for educators, school staff or media specialist, but students of all ages as well. From novice users in kindergarten, to more trained experts in post-secondary institutions, anyone that publishes content, search the Internet, and download/access digital media must be aware of Internet Safety. Not everything on the Read/Write Web is obscene. There are so many great websites and resources to use on the net for starting businesses, for personal use such as social media, and even instructional content in the field of education. Sometimes, digital content is filtered, and other times it is not. Providing our students with the knowledge they need to keep themselves safe on the Internet is crucial. As educators, we should model the expectations for our students, and spend a great deal of planning and testing out ourselves, before having our students go online (Richardson, 2010).
Richardson (2010) contends, that teachers can do many things to keep students safe on the Internet. First, educators must teach their students what’s acceptable and safe, and what not. Secondly, teachers can plan ahead by discussing Internet safety with their students and having the appropriate information in hand. Most schools have Internet filtering, but there are times when students can get around that. Monitoring what the students are doing online, rather than letting them surf the net without restrictions is just another way we can ensure students are being safe and displaying the habits of good digital citizens. Lastly, setting high expectations for technology use and modeling Internet Safety in my own practice will help students understand and uphold their moral compasses while maintaining discipline in their conduct on the Read/Write Web (Richardson, 2010).
Richardson (2010) contends, that teachers can do many things to keep students safe on the Internet. First, educators must teach their students what’s acceptable and safe, and what not. Secondly, teachers can plan ahead by discussing Internet safety with their students and having the appropriate information in hand. Most schools have Internet filtering, but there are times when students can get around that. Monitoring what the students are doing online, rather than letting them surf the net without restrictions is just another way we can ensure students are being safe and displaying the habits of good digital citizens. Lastly, setting high expectations for technology use and modeling Internet Safety in my own practice will help students understand and uphold their moral compasses while maintaining discipline in their conduct on the Read/Write Web (Richardson, 2010).
After browsing the Internet, I found a few websites that would be beneficial for teachers and students to become more educated on safe use of the Read/Write Web. First, Digital Citizenship is a great website that provided lots of valuable information on norms and appropriate uses of technology. The nine elements of digital citizenship was discussed thoroughly on the site, including the difference between plagiarisms and copyrighting. I found lesson activities that I could complete with my students, to inform them about digital health and wellness, laws that govern the exchange of information over the Internet, and digital literacy. Furthermore, this website offered resources on safe use of Internet tools such as Podcasting, social networking sites like Facebook, and even taking a pledge to be a good digital citizen. Strategies that I find useful in keeping my students safe when publishing content to the web would be, seeking permission from the parents, student and the administration team. Moreover, having students and parents sign a pledge helps hold the student accountable for good digital citizenship, and may increases parental involvement. In my own educational practices, I have witness students signing a pledge not to bully, or to stay out of trouble, and it really keeps the student focused on doing the right thing. Having something in writing is binding and similar to a contract, which helps my student’s ingrain responsibility in their actions.
I teach daily using a blended learning model, and fifty percent of the day the students use personal laptops or a student desktop to receive instruction. At times, I see other teachers allow their student to surf the net without restrictions. This has led to students downloading music, accessing inappropriate sites, and leads to loss of instructional time. If teachers become more aware of Internet safety and appropriate use, while teaching and modeling the expectations, a lot of situations can be minimized if not avoided in classrooms, especially when technology use is abundant. The ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) website offered an abundant amount of instructional resources, support and technology standards for students and educators. I found and posted the NETS-S technology standards in my classroom, so my students could review them frequently, and know what is expected of them. Moreover, I will periodically explain to my class the characteristics of great digital citizens, and show them how to share, publish and download safely on the web in my daily pedagogical practices. I also have also collaborated with my current LSTC, so that she can share the information on the ISTE site with teachers and staff on her Tech-Tuesday Professional Learning technology presentations.
Another website I found to be informative for my students and peer colleagues was Digital Citizenship: Rights, Roles & Responsibility in a Digital Society. Reviewing this website gave me great insight on rights and responsibilities, digital etiquette, and security of the Read/Write Web. I also found great lessons to complete with my students, resources on Internet safety, and websites such as Brainpop with hands on activities that could be used with middle school students. In addition, I could use this site to teach students about publishing content to the web safely, using weblogs and social media, and understanding the dangers of Internet predators, sexting and cyberbullying. I will be sharing this information with my students and staff as soon as possible, because a lot of educators in my local district are not informed on Internet safety. As a transforming technology coach, I look forwarding to guiding teachers in the right direction in fair and safe use of the Internet to ensure exceptional teaching and learning while utilizing technology, as well as making students aware of the dangers of the Read/Write Web as 21st century digital pioneers.
Reference:
Richardson, W. (2010). Blogs, wikis, podcasts, and other powerful web tools for classrooms. (3rd ed.). Thousand Oak, California: Corwin.
I teach daily using a blended learning model, and fifty percent of the day the students use personal laptops or a student desktop to receive instruction. At times, I see other teachers allow their student to surf the net without restrictions. This has led to students downloading music, accessing inappropriate sites, and leads to loss of instructional time. If teachers become more aware of Internet safety and appropriate use, while teaching and modeling the expectations, a lot of situations can be minimized if not avoided in classrooms, especially when technology use is abundant. The ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) website offered an abundant amount of instructional resources, support and technology standards for students and educators. I found and posted the NETS-S technology standards in my classroom, so my students could review them frequently, and know what is expected of them. Moreover, I will periodically explain to my class the characteristics of great digital citizens, and show them how to share, publish and download safely on the web in my daily pedagogical practices. I also have also collaborated with my current LSTC, so that she can share the information on the ISTE site with teachers and staff on her Tech-Tuesday Professional Learning technology presentations.
Another website I found to be informative for my students and peer colleagues was Digital Citizenship: Rights, Roles & Responsibility in a Digital Society. Reviewing this website gave me great insight on rights and responsibilities, digital etiquette, and security of the Read/Write Web. I also found great lessons to complete with my students, resources on Internet safety, and websites such as Brainpop with hands on activities that could be used with middle school students. In addition, I could use this site to teach students about publishing content to the web safely, using weblogs and social media, and understanding the dangers of Internet predators, sexting and cyberbullying. I will be sharing this information with my students and staff as soon as possible, because a lot of educators in my local district are not informed on Internet safety. As a transforming technology coach, I look forwarding to guiding teachers in the right direction in fair and safe use of the Internet to ensure exceptional teaching and learning while utilizing technology, as well as making students aware of the dangers of the Read/Write Web as 21st century digital pioneers.
Reference:
Richardson, W. (2010). Blogs, wikis, podcasts, and other powerful web tools for classrooms. (3rd ed.). Thousand Oak, California: Corwin.
Voki Message to Students
Here are some tips for Safe Internet Use on the Read/Write Web:
Here are some tips for Safe Internet Use on the Read/Write Web:
- Be careful what you publish on the Internet. Sometimes it is not so easy to hit the backspace or delete button on digital media.
- Take the Digital Citizenship pledge to hold yourself accountable for your actions and behaviors when using the Internet.
- Surf the Internet Responsibility and become more familiar with digital etiquette.
- Understand the difference between plagiarisms and copyrighting.
- Use the technology standards posted in my classroom to know what is expected of you.
- Know that technology use is a great thing and welcomed, only if you possess the knowledge to keep yourself safe.
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