Our world is ever changing, now more than ever with the advancements of technology. More and more technology is integrated into our everyday lives. We use the internet to determine where we go to eat, the movies we see, and choices we may make. Now-a-days, our digital footprint plays apart in the decisions being made about us, like in the hiring process for example. This is one of the reasons why the younger generations need guidance in the digital world.
By using a four part process, we can begin integrating internet safety into the classrooms. This begins by actually integrating technological tools into the curriculum. We should offer real life stories and examples for the students to discuss and learn from and teach practical strategies so that the students can begin to form their own briefcase of actions. And, as with most all in life, communication is key! We need to communicate with the kids to see whats going on and to help them learn more about the high tech world we live in.
In order for kids to really gasp the importance of internet safety, we should help them understand more about their digital footprint.
When you visit a site, information is left behind, which can be searched for from others. What goes on the internet can never be deleted, so we should stress the importance of thinking before posting online.
Looking at this article really brought me back to grade school where they taught more about the dangers of the internet, especially with chat rooms. This never really affected the kids too much, as then we did not really understand what any of it meant and didn't see the danger in using the internet as it was just a screen in front of us. Back then, the school took more of an abstinence approach to the internet, which never worked out. Having read the "Teaching Kids about Digital Footprints and Online Reputations" article, I see the different, better, ways that there are to discuss internet safety and usage with younger generations.
I agree with Kathleen Morris that students should be informed and educated about their digital footprint, as well as about digital citizenship and literacy. It is important that students know how to properly look up and convey information on the web (digital literacy). An acronym that she used in her post was "Y.A.P.P.Y.", and this acronym is to teach internet users what not to share in the world wide web (especially for children). This stands for your name, address, phone number, passwords, and your plans.
In my case, I plan to be teaching junior high, so "Y.A.P.P.Y." is a little tougher to stress, as students now have many different social media outlets, where they share so much information about their lives and their plans. This makes stressing the importance of their digital footprint all the more important, as it is something that will follow them through life.
This also applies to their digital citizenship, or their behavior on the web. I believe it is incredibly important to teach the appropriate behaviors for online, just like we would for in the classroom. Kids can be cruel, whether intentionally or not., especially when online. The internet takes away the personal feel of encounters, so it is easier for attitudes and behavior to go a little sour.
Hey Kat. I read your post, and I love how you said that 'the school took more of an abstinence approach to the internet'. I agree completely. Schools really were afraid of letting us kids on the internet, but that really shouldn't have happened. Instead of fearing it, they should now teach kids how to protect themselves on the internet. As teachers, we can't really sit over their shoulder and monitor their every action, but the least we can do is inform them on how to protect themselves.
ReplyDeleteRight? And when the schools did let us use the internet, they were very controlling about it (they blocked like EVERYTHING).As teachers, it isn't our job to control what these kids do, but rather to guide them and prepare them for the future. If we sit over their shoulders, as you've put it, all we would be doing is boxing them in at school, leaving them with that need to spread out. Boxing them in is as bad as holding in emotions, sooner or later they burst out, and that can be dangerous. From my past school experiences, this is basically what would happen with kids when we were allowed in the computer lab. Students spent more time learning how to get around all the blockers than they did on the activities and projects we were supposed to do.This led to viruses and a few rated M for mature sites.
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