Internet Safety in the Classroom.

I chose to research the area of internet safety in the classroom. As a result of researching the area, I have found that there are present issues concerning the safety of using the internet in the classroom. Thus, as practitioners it is important to have an understanding of ways in which we can address these issues and ensure safe internet use in the classroom.

Wasson (2012) argues internet safety and security is a necessary topic for discussion in this digital age. It is our responsibility, as Educators, to fully comprehend internet safety issues and plan to prevent many of these issues in our classrooms (Wasson, 2012). One issue concerning the internet is student privacy. According to Wasson (2012) we need to take steps to protect the personal information of students and teach students how to protect themselves.  In order to address this issue, Wasson (2012) suggests Educators should teach their students about Internet safety and security. Resources that could help to achieve this include virtual games that teach internet safety such as those from websites like http://www.webwisekids.org/ and http://mediasmarts.ca/ .

Although the internet is praised for the opportunity that it provides for self-expression and self-affirmation, these can soon become vehicles for cyber bullying (Kawalski, Limber & Agaston, 2012). There in lie an additional issue of the use of the internet. According to Wasson (2012) this is a growing concern with emerging social technologies and it is a topic that should be addressed in every class that utilizes technology. In order to address this issue Wasson (2012) claims teachers must ensure they educate children about what is considered cyber bullying and how to avoid it. One resource that can aid this awareness of cyber bullying is http://cybersmartcurriculum.org.

As the Department for Education (2013) argues, teachers need to teach children ways in which to use technology safely, in order to ensure children are safe online as well as are able to understand what to do if they are concerned with their safety. It is therefore a teacher’s responsibility to be a positive role model for students, when demonstrating safe surfing and evaluating web sites (Glencoe & McGraw, 2005) and therefore teaching students about responsible internet use. However, there is also a vital role for the parents to play in order to support children in becoming more technology literate. This is supported by Teachers First (2014) who state mmodeling and helping students learn about Internet safety is the responsibility of every adult in our students' lives, including teachers in all subject areas and parents at home. Therefore, it is the responsibility of adults to learn more about appropriate online behavior and build awareness of our own digital footprints, in order to share and openly discuss these issues with the young people in our classrooms and homes (Teachers First, 2014).

Useful materials to use:

http://ceop.police.uk/

CEOP works with child protection partners across the UK and overseas to identify the main threats to children and coordinates activity against these threats to bring offenders to account. We protect children from harm online and offline. It also offers guidance and advice for parents and children.

http://www.childnet.com/resources/know-it-all-for-primary

‘Know IT All’ for Primary school teachers is an award winning resource designed especially for primary school staff to help them understand important e-safety issues and how to get the most out of the internet.

http://ictearlyyears.e2bn.org/planning1_29.html

This is a website that offers guidance on using appropriate technologies in early childhood education.

i-SAFE (2010) Internet Safety Activities: Reproducible Projects for Teachers and parents San Francisco: Jossey-Bass

This book contains an east to use guide that helps children to develop their internet skills while keeping safe. It also offers a series of fun lessons and teachers' guides to help students learn how to stay safe online.

Bibliography

Department for Education. (DfE, 2013) ‘Computing programmes of study: key stages 1 and 2’. [pdf] https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/239033/PRIMARY_national_curriculum_-_Computing.pdf (Accessed: 06/03/14).

Glencoe, H. & McGraw, H. (2005) Teaching Today New York: The McGraw Hill Companies Inc [online] http://www.glencoe.com/sec/teachingtoday/educationupclose.phtml/39  (Accessed: 05/03/14)

Kawalski, R., Limber, S. & Agaston, P. (2012) Cyber bullying. Bullying in the digital age (2^nd edition) West Sussex: Blackwell Publishing Ltd

Teachers First (2014) Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers The Source for Learning Inc [online] http://www.teachersfirst.com/spectopics/safety.cfm (Accessed:0 6/03/14)

Wasson, E. (2012) Be Safe! Internet Safety in the Classroom. [online] http://erinwasson.weebly.com/1/post/2012/09/be-safe-internet-safety-in-the-classroom.html (Accessed: 06/03/14).