Safety in the World Wide Web

Within this "technology generation" are bright young minds that seamlessly reach between their many resources to select the tool they are the most comfortable using for any given purpose. This is the ideal- one reason I work so hard- making sure learners have the technology they need to feel that there is nothing that can hold them back in whatever their quest may be. And I love that. However, just as we equip our children to walk down the street on their own, we must equip them to learn the potential dangers that they may encounter surfing through the world wide web.

Remarkably, age makes no difference in the world wide web. A 9 year old is just as likely to run into trouble as a 15 year old, a 25 year old, a 40 year old and so on. We're not talking age here, where talking knowledge.

WWW users must have the knowledge they need to protect themselves against spammers, phishers, and online predators and the devastation they can cause. There's no need for fear here- just as you do not fear walking down the street. You know you may encounter an obstacle or dangerous person on any given street or day- but you have a plan... at least I hope you do.

No matter what age you are or level online knowledge you have - take some time to invest in your own knowledge and/or the knowledge of your children. This investment will help them become wise and critical thinkers, confident explorers and just may save their life.

I recommend doing some reading in the following resources. Then take time to reflect personally or with your children (ALL AGES- Yes, high school, college and young adults too!) on just what would you do IF...

1. What would you do if someone asks you for personal information like phone numbers, last names, addresses, bank account information?

2. What would you do if someone asks you for a photo of yourself?

3. What would you do if someone asks to meet you publicly? or secretly?

For more of these conversation starter questions see the Web Wise Kids Internet Safety Plan
http://www.webwisekids.org/uploads/internet_safety_plan.pdf

For more about scammers and phishers:

Brochure about common international financial scams
http://travel.state.gov/pdf/international_financial_scams_brochure.pdf

Blog where visitors can read and share stories on Internet scammers
http://www.419legal.org/blog/2008/05/05/money-mules-fraud-from-overseas-are-baiting-locals-for-help/

Snopes.com

http://www.snopes.com/

http://www.snopes.com/fraud/fraud.asp

For more about stranger danger:

What to do if someone comes to your house...

http://www.snopes.com/crime/prevent/doorpound.asp

CBS News clip on strangers and college students... a good eye opener for young adults and their parents.

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=2042316n

Spiderman said, "With great freedom, comes great responsibility."

Make sure you are responsible for educating yourself and your children on the potential dangers out there and you have a plan if something comes up.

I want you to be safe from the sharks when you surf.

Image from http://www.surfsizenow.com/images/surfing-picture-of-shark.jpg

Blogging Away!

Learning a second language is challenging and rewarding. So many more connections can be made when people speak the same language... as this generation of students communicates seamlessly through technology in their primary languages- why not branch out into the electronic world of communicating in their new language? Writing, thinking, responding, documenting, sharing, reading, reflecting- all in their new language... = BLOGGING! Educators can mold the tasks to their specific lessons and objectives, students can reinforce their second language in an online community of learners.

Why I love it!

1. EASY TO USE

2. Students enjoy learning and connecting this way- engaging!

3. So long to learning within the four walls of a classroom... there are no boundaries in the blogging world...

4. Relevant!

5. Paperless!

6. Free!

More to come on students blogging in their newly learned language...

Image taken from http://www.brandrich.com/blog/index.php

Promethean Boards!

Technology is changing the way we learn and teach! PISD has brought a pilot program to the students and teachers- a program that is exciting, innovative and relevant!

PISD is promoting interactive classrooms from Kinder to High School through the use of Promethean Interactive White Boards, Active Tablets, Active Slates, and Active Expressions. These tools essentially transform an average classroom white board, or projection system into an interactive flip chart with an infinite amount of pages, applications and possibilities.

CIT's a Teachers will be trained on how to use the boards effectively... we are already observing exciting results. I can't wait to see more!

Positive Feedback...

I had a discussion yesterday about the state of schools in America... where we've been, where we're headed, how we are measuring up with the rest of the world... and need I say more?

Between the economy, the election, the war, the media and our never-ending "To Do Lists"- it is sometimes hard to stop and smell the roses. But, the truth is- wonderful things are happening every day in our school system. As educators, AND patriots, we must fill our tanks with those positive happenings and allow them, and each other, to fuel our inspiration and enthusiasm for tomorrow- regardless of how many more tasks are tacked on to the list.

If something has inspired you lately, if you've seen a brilliant success happen in our school system- let us know about it! Someone may need to hear your positive words. Thank you for sharing.

Great List of FREE Resources for 21st Century Learners and Professionals

Want to make sure you are up to date on the best learning and professional tools?

Check out this article and quick slide show from the Centre for Learning and Performance Technologies http://www.c4lpt.co.uk/25Tools/index.html

The tools are a mix of personal productivity tools (for managing personal learning) as well as authoring tools (for creating learning solutions).

Image from www.able.state.pa.us/.../view.asp?a=7&Q=117064

Other Great Blogs About Instructional Technology

Here's a great one from Dr. Chris Moersch a.k.a. "The Loti Guy."

http://www.loticonnection.com/weblog/lotiguyspeaks/ I liked his recent entry on "Teach 2.0." His ideas for classroom learning activities are all exciting and engaging, both rigorous and relevant, not to mention FUN! But... what stops these great ideas from happening in all of our classrooms today?



Ask a group of educators and you will get all kinds of feedback- teachers are being stretched to the limit to keep up with the various demands placed on them and their students. It can be exhausting! But, Dr. Moersch hits the nail on the head when he states...

"Exercising the instructional muscle embedded in Teach 2.0 pedagogy will only help to unfold the potential of Web 2.0 technology as well as increase student engagement and achievement in the classroom."

The metaphor is perfect- think of technology integration as exercise. We can start small and build up as we go. In our outside lives, exercise is one of the most, of not THE most important component of successful and happy lives- yet we often forgo our exercise regimens because we feel we are too busy or tired to give our health the priority it needs. But, just like technology integration, the more we exercise and push through the unknown and tough days- we find the rewards to be exponential and wonder how we ever lived without proper exercise before.

If you are going strong- push for the next level. If you just getting started- good- start small and remember to keep building. You already have resources and support, all you need to bring is motivation and commitment. Now, let's hit the gym!

Instructional Technology... What are you excited about?

People who love technology- love to find new resources and share them with interested parties. My latest favorite find is VoiceThreads http://voicethread.com/. This is cool website which allows users to participate in a dialogue around an image, or series of images. It's almost like photostory meets blog meets chat room meets you tube. There are lots of instructional implications for this online resource. Students can create presentations or participate in online discussions, or voicethreads that others have created. These voicethreads can then be packaged up for later use or assessment. COOL! What have you found lately? How might it be used as a tool for learning?