Mod 2: Internet Safety Tips for students

Hello again,
   Every student should follow their school's Internet Usage Guidelines.  It often involves having a parent sign a permission slip that give the student access to the Internet.  The parent decides if the student can participate in online activities within the school and classroom.
   Students also need to learn to be proactive and follow their classroom or library media's Internet usage rules.  I will post some ideas that help children be safe while online.
NetSmartz, a program from the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children has great ideas for keeping safe whether you are surfing the Internet or blogging.  Let's take a look.

Safety Pledges:
Primary
Internet Safety Rules

   1. I will tell my trusted adult if anything makes me feel sad, scared, or confused.
   2. I will ask my trusted adult before sharing information like my name, address, and phone number.
   3. I won't meet face-to-face with anyone from the Internet.
   4. I will always use good netiquette and not be rude or mean online.


Intermediate
Internet Safety Rules

   1. I will tell my trusted adult if anything makes me feel sad, scared, or confused.
   2. I will ask my trusted adult before sharing information like my name, address, and phone number.
   3. I won't meet face-to-face with anyone from the Internet.
   4. I will always use good netiquette and not be rude or mean online.

Middle and High School

1. I WILL THINK BEFORE I POST.

I agree not to post information and images that could put me at risk, embarrass me, or damage my future, such as

    * cell & home phone numbers
    * home address
    * sexual messages
    * inappropriate pictures and videos

2.  I WILL RESPECT OTHER PEOPLE ONLINE.

I will not

    * post anything rude, offensive, or threatening
    * send or forward images and information that might embarrass, hurt, or harass someone
    * take anyone's personal information and use it to damage his or her reputation

3.  I WILL PROTECT MYSELF ONLINE.

If someone makes me feel uncomfortable or if someone is rude or offensive, I will

    * not respond
    * save the evidence
    * tell my parent, guardian, or another trusted adult
    * report to the website, cell phone company, CyberTipline.com, or the police

the Internet safety pledges can be found here:

http://www.netsmartz.org/Resources/Pledges

NOTE:  I removed the original pledge #3 due to the wording.  (It deals with meeting online friends). It is my understanding that the pledge dealt with meeting friends known by the student.  But after reading one of my classmate's comment on the "safety issue" of the pledge, I removed it.  I sent a message to the National Center for Exploited Children in regards to the wording and hope they will respond to my question regarding the pledge.  If there is an answer to my email I will post it in future posts.

And for additional information on being safe Online, go to 
http://www.netsmartzkids.org/

Mod 2: Joining the Blogsphere

Hi and welcome to my blog.  This is my first blog that deals with technology and its benefits for students, teachers and parents.  I am a new school media specialist and my classroom will be the school library. 

   This week, I would like to introduce you to the world of blogs.  Blogs are according to Will Richardson, “easily created and update-able websites that allow an author or authors to publish instantly to the Internet from any Internet connection” (Richardson, 2009).  Any one who has an Internet connection can make and use a blog. 

    There are blogs on cats, dogs, movies, books, cooking, and many other topics.  In the K-12 school setting, blogs can be useful for journaling about books read, writing book reviews, keeping up with class assignments/class projects and so much more. The possibilities are endless.

    There are a few ways I would take advantage of using blogs in my school library.  Here are three:

• Use a school media center blog to keep students, teachers and parents aware of what is happening in the library
• Have the students create their own blog on their own or work in teams of two.
• Have the students write responses to a book we read during story time.  They would also interact through their blogs to comment on books we are exploring and reading.

The above ideas would meet the following New York State Standards

Standard 2:   Language for Literary Response and Expression

As speakers and writers, students will use oral and written language that follows the accepted conventions of the English language for self-expression and artistic creation.

Standard 4:   Language for Social Interaction

Students will use oral and written language that follows the accepted conventions of the English language for effective social communication with a wide variety of people.

Standard 5 - Technology Education

Students will apply technological knowledge and skills to design, construct, use, and evaluate products and systems to satisfy human and environmental needs.

We have barely scratched the surface on the advantages of blogging.  Stay tuned for more...