I think digital safety is a topic not discussed too often in the homes. My parents are not very tech savvy and therefore wouldn't be familiar with any of the implications or dangers that online activity can have except for what they hear on the news. I'm sure they've gathered a few things here and there and know what to avoid. Now that I am familiarizing myself with so many digital safety issues, it would be beneficial for my family to learn more about it through short presentations or pamphlets so they are fully aware and can forward the information to other parents.It is definitely important and imperative that students and adults recognize the dangers of being linked to the World Wide Web and help prevent it from happening. You hear and read of so many stories and crimes in the news that connect kidnapping to fake online profiles and the such, that online safety needs to be taken to a whole other level. And it starts with parents and teachers informing their children.
All five of the the topics discussed in regards to digital safety are essential in the digital world. It covers all the issues that deal with children being safe online. I liked the idea of tying all of these safety issues into an educational unit because it makes complete sense to inform future teachers and parents about online safety so they have the knowledge to advise their students and children about how to behave online and what you can expect. Children may not understand the importance right away, but the best way to prevent an incident from happening is warning them about it first.
One way we can reach students about the dangers and concerns of being safe online is to have a "Being Safe Online" contest. A list of topics can be given to them and they can enter in any category such as the five we discussed in class. There will be guidelines to follow and a list of multimedia tools that are acceptable- slideshow, video, poster, etc. I believe this contest will serve as a way to discuss challenges and educate students about making safe and responsible choices in the digital age especially with cyber bullying. It also touches on incorporating technology. It covers NETS*T Standards 1 which is facilitating and inspiring student learning and creativity. It will also promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness and engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources (ISTE, 2011).
Cyber bullying is the topic my partner and I covered. It is the use of technology to harass, threaten, embarrass, or target another person (Kidshealth, 2012). The more I read on it, the better informed I was on how to prevent it or the steps I can take as a teacher and maybe one day a parent. I remember telling a friend that students nowadays are so in tune with each other because of the internet and social networking sites, but it also creates tension between old friends which can later snow ball into something more serious and negative with the use of computers, mobile phones, and other affordable gadgets.
One of the tools my partner and I used to complete this project aside from face to face interaction was Wiggio. At first I wasn't too thrilled, but then I started to play around with the tool and I've grown fond of it. It shares so many different kinds of files that Gmail cannot do with its Google Docs. I was so amazed at how easy it was to share the finished eBook with my partner. A simple click of a button and VOILA! Another great aspect of this tool is that Wiggio can act as an online storage system. If your computer is loaded with so many projects, you can upload it to Wiggio and then delete it from your computer. It's a great space saver, I think. I sincerely enjoyed this creating an eBook mainly because I've never done it before. It allowed me to utilize the different tools and programs that were always in my computer but never opened. If I do a little more research, I am sure I'd be able to expand my technological skills.
One of the tools my partner and I used to complete this project aside from face to face interaction was Wiggio. At first I wasn't too thrilled, but then I started to play around with the tool and I've grown fond of it. It shares so many different kinds of files that Gmail cannot do with its Google Docs. I was so amazed at how easy it was to share the finished eBook with my partner. A simple click of a button and VOILA! Another great aspect of this tool is that Wiggio can act as an online storage system. If your computer is loaded with so many projects, you can upload it to Wiggio and then delete it from your computer. It's a great space saver, I think. I sincerely enjoyed this creating an eBook mainly because I've never done it before. It allowed me to utilize the different tools and programs that were always in my computer but never opened. If I do a little more research, I am sure I'd be able to expand my technological skills.
References:
Kidshealth. (2012) Cyberbullying. Retrieved June 18, 2012 from Kidshealth.
International Society for Technology in Education. (2011) Retrieved June 18, 2012 from ISTE
International Society for Technology in Education. (2011) Retrieved June 18, 2012 from ISTE
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