March 31, 2008
E-Journal Entry #8
Students and Online Safety
EDT598
Dear Journal,
As promised, I am back to update and complete this E-Journal Post. I have now finished the reading, slide show, video, visited four links, created a lesson plan, and researched the MSAD #34 Student Computer and Internet Use Policy. Even though this assignment was designed to be more in depth due to missing class on March 24, it wasn’t the amount of work that slowed me down. Over vacation, I attempted to research this assignment at home, on dial-up, with a PC computer with Windows 98 and a Pentium II processor. I finally had to give up and visit our friend Hilu who has broadband access. Combined with my school’s Apple MLTI Laptop, I was astounded at the light years apart my computer set-up was from Hilu’s! I think I feel a complete technology make-over about to happen for us!
I thought the slide show was very creative. I went through it several times, each time realizing something more I missed the previous time. It reminds us that today’s kids are constantly connected through multiple sources and not just users but active contributors to the Web. This slide show is aimed more for students and would make a great choice to show students/parents to start or further an online safety discussion. The video is geared for parents, informative, and very up-tempo! It’s pace caught me off guard as I was attempting to take notes. Parents play a big role in teaching safe behavior online. Parents need to understand the risks, identify the risks, educate themselves and their kids, define family rules, and keep the lines of communication open. For example, examining how we react when a child reports to us that they inadvertently viewed inappropriate content online!
I read chapters 7 & 8 and visited four links as well as the slide show and video. I thought the GetNetWise. org link had a useful Glossary-Guide To Internet Terms. The bewebaware.ca link featured bilingual English/French options and was parent oriented. The Netsmartz.org link featured and excellent Supplemental Materials Page, features bilingual English/Spanish options, and is geared to parents and educators. My favorite link was isafe.org “The leader in e-safety education.” I found the video clips for short messages and extended information a very engaging feature geared more for parents and educators. All of the above mentioned sources of research for Students and Online Safety eventually make essentially the same points. However, there were three separate information boxes in the slide show that summarized it best for me. What can we do? 1) public spaces for computer 2) open dialogue 3) negotiate use and purpose 4) monitor behavior 5) set limits 6) listen to understand. What can they do?1) no personal details 2) no meeting strangers 3) no sharing passwords 4) agree on limits 5) combat cyberbullying 6) keep safe. What are the issues? 1) keeping tabs on where your kids are 2) privacy 3) inappropriate content 4) bullying and predators. Think Before You Post!!!
The Computer And Internet Use Policy for MSAD #34 assumes the premise that student use of computer, networks, and Internet services is a privilege, not a right! Those who violate said policy may have privileges revoked or be subject to further disciplinary and/or legal action. All Internet access is filtered per guidelines of federal law. Certain sites like MySpace, YouTube, flickr, and Facebook along with gaming sites are blocked period. Before any privileges are granted, students and parents must sign and return Computer/Internet Access Form to be retained at the student’s school. In summary, the policy addresses Acceptable Use, Prohibited Use, Illegal Activities, Violating Copyrights, Plagiarism or Copying Software, Misuse of Passwords and Unauthorized Access, Unauthorized Access to Chat Rooms, and News Groups, and Student Security. It may seem like all the blocks, filters, policies, contracts, possible consequences, meetings, lectures, and discussions are a great deal of work, but as our text book points out, “Schools have to be more vigilant than ever.” Followed later with, “Protecting children and personal data online is a legal responsibility.” (Web 2.0 new tools, new schools, Page 138) Well, that is all for now. Shawn.
