As discussed in previous blogs, children today are growing up in a rapidly
changing technological society. Children use and engage with the internet in a
variety of ways. Outside of school they use it to communicate and keep in touch
with their friends through gaming and social media. When they are at school,
children are encouraged to use the internet to research topics and find out
information as well as to access educational websites and games.
The Get With It! booklet, a guide for parents about social networking
websites ackknowledges that many parents are not confident with their
understanding of social networks and therefore are unaware of the potential
dangers of it. The booklet provides advice for parents about how to keep
children safe online, however teachers and schools also have a responsibility
to protect children and ensure E-safety when using the internet.
The E-safety in Initial Teacher Training Powerpoint suggests that trainee
teachers need to be aware of the legal requirements and policies they are
required to understand and implement in the primary classroom. However, as with
parents, many trainee teachers lack the confidence and knowledge to confidently
promote the safety and well-being of children online. There are many websites
available that can provide information for trainee teachers about the benefits
and disadvantages of children using the internet, particularly social media. Digizen
(Online) has a section specifically for trainee teachers advising them on how
to encourage safe use of the internet as well as providing them with ideas and
activities they can use in the classroom to involve and inform children.
Although teachers need to be educated about online safety, children are the
most vulnerable to issues such as cyber bullying and grooming. Therefore, teachers
should allow children to explore websites such as CBBC Stay Safe (Online). It
provides children with videos and quizzes about internet safety and issues such
as illegal downloads and keeping social network sites private.
This research has allowed me, as a trainee teacher, to understand some of
the advantages and disadvantages of children using the internet. It has also
provided me with resources and information to develop my awareness of this
topic and feel confident to educate children about the dangers.
Get with it! A parents’ guide to social-networking websites, Internet
Advisory Board, Dublin
http://learn2.winchester.ac.uk/pluginfile.php/315525/mod_resource/content/1/get%20with%20it.pdf
http://learn2.winchester.ac.uk/pluginfile.php/315525/mod_resource/content/1/get%20with%20it.pdf
I think the suggestion of allowing children to go on websites such as 'CBBC stay safe' would be really effective as children would enjoy carrying out the quizzes. I completely agree that as trainee teachers, we need to be very much aware of how to support children in staying safe online.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your point about trainee teacher's lacking confidence in regards to how to approach and promote the teaching of e-safety within the classroom as i would feel apprenhensive about doing it myself, particulary because i feel that children are rapidlydeveloping and using an array of technologies that i am unaware of or that i hold limited knowledge about.
ReplyDeleteWhen on SE3 my school was running a e-safety week and the CBBC stay safe website was provided to the children for extra infromation. I also agree with the point about trainee teachers being aware of how to implement the importance of staying safe online, as children are exposed to online profiles from a much younger age now therefore they need to be aware of any possible dangers. you have also provided some very useful websites for future reference.
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