Home Stretch!

I enjoyed keeping a blog about the things I learned this semester. It will be valuable years down the road and easily accessible. I think a PLE causes for reflection and really gave me time to think about what we had learned that week.

Honestly the PLE was valuable and not a nuisance so I don't have anything that I don't like about it.

I plan on using blogs for my personal and professional use. I hope to have a class blog where I can keep parent informed. I think its a great way to record what's happened in the classroom.

Internet Safety

Part I: Reading

I chose to read Grade A by Marvin J Ashton. He said grade A products bring high prices and are high quality. He said the battle to be A Rated is a battle we can win. We need to be A rated in any form of media we use.

He gave the following challenges:

-to parents to be concerned about what your children read or view

-to grandparents to foster reading programs with your grandchildren.

-to youth to cooperate with parents who are concerned about your reading and your viewing. Be concerned yourself about what you take into your mind.

-to families to foster movie viewing that is wholesome.

-to every Latter-day Saint to come to a knowledge and an understanding of the scriptures.

I know good grades are valued in our society and so likewise should good media. I think its important for all of us to have a "withitness" when the media we spend time with. It is essential for our happiness! As a parent I want to hold meetings so that all of us our on the same page about our media choices. I don't want my children's moral understanding to be confused by what they see in the media. I want to define what true morality is, without them being desensitized by the media.

I can use this information with my relatives when it is applicable. I plan on being verbal about internet safety!


Part II: Watching

I watched several movie clips/podcasts from isafe.org. I was amazed at the statistics of computer use among youth. It doesn't surprise me because we live in a day where it's hard to even imagine life without the internet. I use it frequently.

First I realized how pop-ups are attractive to youth. They want to explore and are impressionable at this time. I as an adult need to make sure to buy anti-virus that also blocks popups.

Another scary thing to learn about was chatting online. The movie clip said 1 in 4 said they feel it's okay to talk to strangers online. The chance of meeting a cyberbulley/predator is too great. Youth do not need to meet people online. There are many people right up close that they don't even need to risk it. Plus chatting online robs children of developing communication skills necessary to function in the world. I know the internet can be of great value. It fascilitates communication in many ways, but the youth must be warned and aware of all that the internet means.

I plan to use these resources as a parent and a teacher. They pretty much speak for themselves. I'd use these resources as a springboard for a discussion. I want my kids to be educated! I am including these resources on this web page so that I can always refer back to them.

Here are some resources to choose from:

1. NetSmartz Video Resources:
(this site is the one officially promoted by UEN and has some great resources) (There are also some interactive online games that teach internet safety principles at the NetSmartzKids site.)

2. iKeepSafe Faux Paws Video: http://ikeepsafe.org/iksc_kids/
(This is a video developed by the BYU animation department that has also some great print resources to go with it.)

3. Frontline PBS Documentary:

(the most relevant sections to watch are . . .)

• 2. A Revolution in Classrooms and Social Life
• 4. Child Predator Fear
• 6. Cyberbullying
  

4. iSafe: http://www.isafe.org
(click on Webcast and use SchoolID 10079 or click on links below.)

• Webcast 1: Privacy and the Internet
• Webcast 2: Cyber Relationships
• Webcast 3: Intellectual Property
• Webcast 4: Malicious Code
• Webcast 5: Cyber Citizenship
• Webcast 6: Social Issues
• Webcast 8: Cyber Harassment

5. iSafe iLearn, iFifty+, or iParent Online series: http://ilearn.isafe.org/
(This is a really great resource that I would encourage students interested in the topic to explore. The training is fairly extensive and there are several hours of video-based training materials available. Those interested in doing all the modules can actually receive an internet safety certification that could be used in job applications. - completing the full training will require several hours.)

6. Internet Safety Podcast