Since the education reform of 1988, it has been mandatory for children from the age of five to be taught ICT (Ofsted, 2011). Due to this, E-safety is now considered a major concern within the classroom as well as at home, therefore making it the role of the teacher to consider how to equip children with the knowledge to stay safe online as well as putting in provisions that help to protect the safety of children online. (Byron, 2008). Through researching the focus topic of E-safety it has been possible to identify many factors that children are at risk from. Allen et al. (2007) identifies some key risks; unacceptable content, inappropriate contact with strangers and the potential for cyber-bullying. Despite this Allen et al (2007) does justify the use of the internet to support learners but encourages communication with parents as well as making it explicit that is the responsibility of the school to ensure children are safe online, whilst at school. This leads to question how teachers can implement strategies that ensure safety as well as teach children how to be responsible online if faced with inappropriate material.
Thursday, 6 March 2014
Week 8 Blog: Part 2- The Formal Task
E-safety in the Classroom
Since the education reform of 1988, it has been mandatory for children from the age of five to be taught ICT (Ofsted, 2011). Due to this, E-safety is now considered a major concern within the classroom as well as at home, therefore making it the role of the teacher to consider how to equip children with the knowledge to stay safe online as well as putting in provisions that help to protect the safety of children online. (Byron, 2008). Through researching the focus topic of E-safety it has been possible to identify many factors that children are at risk from. Allen et al. (2007) identifies some key risks; unacceptable content, inappropriate contact with strangers and the potential for cyber-bullying. Despite this Allen et al (2007) does justify the use of the internet to support learners but encourages communication with parents as well as making it explicit that is the responsibility of the school to ensure children are safe online, whilst at school. This leads to question how teachers can implement strategies that ensure safety as well as teach children how to be responsible online if faced with inappropriate material.
This research has
enabled me to develop an understanding of potential issues caused by children
using ICT, however it has also become clear that there are simply procedures
that can be put in place to ensure the safety of children online. Within my own
experience, I have carried out an E-safety activity with children that involved
them filling out question sheets which asked them what they had witnessed
online. This was in order to inform both the teacher and myself of how to
create next steps for learning. After reading through the sheets (which were
confidential), it was possible to discuss with children how to deal with
situations they may face online. Despite carrying out this activity, I was
unaware of how I as a teacher could protect children from witnessing
potentially harmful content online.
Allen, J., Potter, J., Sharp,J., &
Keith Turvey. (2007). Primary ICT: knowledge, understanding and practice. Exeter:
Learning Matter Ltd.
Byron, T. (2008). 'Safer children in a
digital world: the report of the Byron Review: be safe, be aware, have fun.'
[Online] Available at http://dera.ioe.ac.uk/7332/1/Final%20Report%20Bookmarked.pdf.
[Accessed 06/03/2014].
The Office for Standards in Education
(Ofsted)(2011), ‘ICT in Schools 2008-11- An evaluation of information and
communication technology education in schools in England 2008-11’ [Online]
Available at www.ofsted.gov.uk/resources/110134
[Accessed 06/03/2013]
Since the education reform of 1988, it has been mandatory for children from the age of five to be taught ICT (Ofsted, 2011). Due to this, E-safety is now considered a major concern within the classroom as well as at home, therefore making it the role of the teacher to consider how to equip children with the knowledge to stay safe online as well as putting in provisions that help to protect the safety of children online. (Byron, 2008). Through researching the focus topic of E-safety it has been possible to identify many factors that children are at risk from. Allen et al. (2007) identifies some key risks; unacceptable content, inappropriate contact with strangers and the potential for cyber-bullying. Despite this Allen et al (2007) does justify the use of the internet to support learners but encourages communication with parents as well as making it explicit that is the responsibility of the school to ensure children are safe online, whilst at school. This leads to question how teachers can implement strategies that ensure safety as well as teach children how to be responsible online if faced with inappropriate material.
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I found your comment about it being the school's responsibility to ensure children are safe online, at school interesting. I think it is important for parents and teachers to be aware that they both have a responsibility to educate children about E-Safety.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your comment as i feel that it should be the role of both the school and parents to ensure children are educated and made aware of issues surrounding e-safety. I equally feel that the views of the parents regarding e-safety is significant and should be considered and acknowledged by teachers as many parents may hold varying perspectives reagarding the issue of e-safety and the degree to which they allow their child exposure and access to the internet and therefore some parents may not view the issue of e-safety as strictly as others. In such circumstances it is significant to consider the role of the teacher in ensuring that all children are made aware of the importance of e-safety throughout their education at school.
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