Beginning in the Fall of 2009, the school
system I currently work for, created a 21st Century committee to
help create learning opportunities that would enable students to be more
prepared for their future. Goals were
created and strategies were made to help promote 21st Century
learning and to ensure that this type of learning was standard protocol. These learning opportunities utilized the implementation
of more technology, the integration of 21st Century skills with core
curriculum, and the increase of staff development opportunities.
I feel the most important aspect of the 21st
Century strategies is the opportunity for staff to be trained on the different
types of and the different uses of technological devices. Teachers need to be confident in their
abilities to use a variety of electronics before they can expect their students
to use them appropriately.
Safety is the number one concern for most
administrators. This also holds true for
students while they are online. Once
these devices are in place, it is vital for a school to be able to ensure
student safety.
Shelby County Schools are committed to not
only providing excellent instruction, but also to providing a safe learning
environment; a safe learning environment that pertains to onsite safety as well
as online safety.
Many different online safety tools are shared
with Shelby County staff, parents and students via the Shelby County School
System website. Some of these resources
include i-Safe, SafeKids.com, Family Shield, Internet Acronyms for Parents, and
many others.
One way internet safety is taught at Chelsea
Intermediate School is through our media specialist. She meets with each class, individually, and
shares these resources with our students.
She also teaches them how to recognize a valid websites when conducting
research for class projects.
Another way online safety is shared is
through presentations made during our Parenting Day activities each year. During the 2011-2012 school year, a retired
FBI agent from Hoover, Alabama was invited to speak to parents regarding ways
to safeguard their children from online predators.
Many of the same suggestions are shared on
the following link that can be found on:
Stevie,
ReplyDeleteI like that your media specialist is addressing the concept of online safety with your students. I feel that we need to address this concept when students start using computers in the elementary schools. I have dealt with several technology-related issues this year in which the students have said they have not understood their actions. So next year, I can say "Wait didn't you learn about online safety at the Intermediate School?" Thanks for sharing.
Our media specialist is great about talking to kids about Internet safety, and, at the middle school, students begin learning about being good digital students through elective classes. Most parents are very supportive and want their students to have access to technology, but every now and then we get a parent who doesn't want his/her child to have access. I try to explain to parents that part of the problem with Internet issues is a lack of student education about how to properly use them. Though we "win" most parents over, some still refuse to let their children have computer access at school.
DeleteOur media specialist is great about talking to kids about Internet safety, and, at the middle school, students begin learning about being good digital students through elective classes. Most parents are very supportive and want their students to have access to technology, but every now and then we get a parent who doesn't want his/her child to have access. I try to explain to parents that part of the problem with Internet issues is a lack of student education about how to properly use the tools. Though we "win" most parents over, some still refuse to let their children have computer access at school.
ReplyDelete