Week 8 Online Safety and Security

Learning in today’s world includes the ability to use computers, as well as other technology. Students need to know how to use these tools and resources and how to construct multimedia reports. Internet searches allow students to find information quickly and in great quantities. The key reading skill for the web is for students to be able to decide quickly whether an online document merits reading. Through the use of word processing programs, students can make revisions to their writing much easier.

While students are surfing and learning, they check their email and post to Facebook. A lot of times, they don’t realize when they are giving out too much information, or they are chatting with people they don’t know. School computers have filters and firewalls, but astute students can get around these and surf in places they shouldn’t be. 

Students also need to be made aware of what is acceptable to post and what is not. They should be aware of “The Core Rules of Netiquette.” These rules include the standards of behavior online and respecting other people, such as avoiding plagiarism and respect for copyright laws when downloading books and music.

Many schools are now instituting a zero-tolerance policy on cyberbullying; however, they fail to clearly define what it is. Maybe, it’s as Justice Potter Stewart said of pornography, that he couldn’t define it, but, “I know it when I see it.” Perhaps instances of cyberbullying are deemed to be observable facts. A lot of parents are aware of this and monitor their children’s computer use at home; however, many parents are caught in surfing and Facebook themselves, and don’t pay attention to the imminent danger that their children face. The FBI has a great guide for parents (and teachers) A Parent’s Guide to Internet Safety at http://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/parent-guide.

Some think that teachers have been oversold on the educational value of technology. I don’t believe that this is the case at all. Teachers can develop a technology-enriched learning environment that enables students to become active participants in their own educational goals so they can manage their own learning, as mandated by NETS-S standards. To implement these standards, teachers design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity. Web 1.0 tools are search tools to help students locate information. Web 2.0 tools enable students to share and produce information on the Web. Some of these tools include blogging, wikis, and podcasts. Computers are most powerful in learning when they are used as a tool.

For security purposes, some schools don’t allow students to download anything from the web, but this is not a reasonable solution. Students are also not allowed to bring flash drives to save their work. They are encouraged to email it to themselves and pull it from the cloud at a later date. A school where I performed field service observation has bought Chromebooks, which are cloud-based. I think this a good idea.