Is it more unethical to allow threats to students/schools or to deny students/teachers access to instructionally relevant Web-based tools and content?
Why does it have to be one or the other? As a teacher, I have been asked a thousand times –“When are we ever going to use algebra (or poetry or science) in real life?” Students have a hard time relating what they are learning to actual use later in life. So, in my opinion, one of the most important things we can do as educators is show them the correlation between their lessons and their careers in the work world. Since technology is used everyday by almost everyone in every industry, community and household, shouldn’t it follow that we should teach our students how to use the technology to learn, as well as protect themselves from those who use it for personal gain?
First they need to learn about protecting themselves from internet predators. Web sites like Student Internet Safety (click here) can be used by teachers to show students what to watch for and how to protect their personal information. Another lesson should include the right way to search to provide the best results for your topic. A site like Noodle Tools provides great tips to share with your students. (click here) Additionally, the students need to learn to be cautious about what types of incoming information they should accept and what they should decline. Integrating Technology and Digital Media in the Classroom (Gunter) suggests using reliable antivirus software, scanning all attachments before opening and never starting your computer with removable media in the drives.
The list of possible resources could go on for pages but the overall message is to teach our students the right way to use the web based tools and content and then schools would not have to choose what to allow in the classroom. By following this plan our students would connected to many valuable lessons and real life scenarios without exposing themselves to danger.
Stacy Anderson
Resources
Noodle Tools. (2010). Choose the Best Search for Your Information Need. Retrieved on September 20, 2010 from http://www.noodletools.com/debbie/literacies/information/5locate/adviceengine.html
Shelly, G.B., Gunter, G.A., Gunter, R. (2010). Integrating Technology and Digital Media in the Classroom. Boston, MA. Course Technology, Cengage Learning.
Unknown Author. (2010). Student Internet Safety. Retrieved on September 22, 2010 from www.studentinternetsafety.com
I'm with you Stacy, I don't think it's one or the other as far as ethics. These aren't the only options, they represent he farthest extremes of polar opposites. This is like saying the only two arguments on driving is to either let everyone on the road or no one. We know that the reason schools wrestle with these questions is because of legal liability. But like driving, we have a means of sort of proving that one is capable of handling a potentially dangerous medium with caution and responsibility. Like you stated there is already curriculum in place to teach students responsible use and once they show they know how to handle the internet responsibly I think they should be able to have full access without any repercussions to the school or district.
ReplyDeleteAaron Huestis
I really like how you gave suggestions on how to start teaching students about Internet safety. A lot of blogs say that it is important to teach kids how to be safe, but they don’t say how to do it.
ReplyDeleteThe Student Internet Safety site had some useful information. I thought it was great that it brought up online harassment. It seems like many students are bullying and are victims of bullying on the internet. I think it is extremely important to teach students that cyber bullying is still bullying and that there are ways to use participatory websites and avoid getting bullied.
I also agree that students need to be taught how to search so that they get the results they want and do not get inappropriate or useless information. The Noodle Tools site is great. Thanks for sharing!
I love the fact that you talked about teaching students about internet safety. I also like the fact that you provided your readers with links to access tips on teaching students how to use the internet safely. This is so true. I think that it is important to start teaching students how to appropriately use the internet as well as it's threats in the younger grades. By doing this it will help to protect our students from the many dangers of the internet.
ReplyDeleteI viewed the websites that you link in your blog. I enjoyed these websites. They had useful information on internet safety.