TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION UNDERSTANDING THE CONCERNS FOR SECURITY AND SAFETY OF OUR STUDENTS. By: Parris Travers

Topics  Ethical Issues for safety and security  Digital Divide  Legal use of digital media  References TABLE OF CONTENT Slides  1-7  8-13   19

ETHICAL ISSUES FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY  Social Networking  Acceptable Use Policies  Netiquette  Cyber Bullying  Student Data  Internet Privacy

SOCIAL NETWORKING  Definition: These sites allow for students to set up profiles with their names, information and pictures. They then can connect with other member's to communicate and be “Friends”. They can share through personal web pages, blogs or discussion groups.  Examples: Facebook, MySpace, Xanga, Live Journal, etc.  Issues:Unsafe disclosure of personal information ( students often do not realize that information posted becomes public), Addiction (Spending excessive time will take away from regular social activities), Risky sexual behavior (seduction by sexual predator), and Cyber bullying (sending hurtful information to others).

ACCEPTABLE USE POLICIES  Definition: Limits the use of computers and other technology to educational purposes to encourage work productivity. Student will often have to sign an agreement that shows their understanding of proper technology use. It requires students to respect the technology and the network the school works on.  Limitations: Access to profane material, posting personal information, peer- peer file sharing, plagiarism, gaming, file downloading, etc.  Enforcement: Student sign written agreement, monitoring of internet use, individual log-in.

NETIQUETTE  Definition: Is etiquette on the internet. This is rules to follow for internet communications through , messaging, chat rooms and discussion forums.  Rules: Don't lie about who you are (don’t work under someone else name or information), Know when to stop, Know when to talk (read and know what the discussion is about before sharing your ideas), Check grammar, send a message before you drop in, Log off messaging when not using it, Never send a message you would not read in public, Know when not to forward a message, Don’t send long message on instant messaging.

CYBER BULLYING  Definition : a student is tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or targeted by another child using the Internet, interactive and digital technologies or mobile phones. It has to have a minor on both sides, or at least have been instigated by a minor against another minor.  Types: Direct Attack (message sent directly to a victim), Proxy (using others to attack victim, with or without their knowledge).  Reasons: anger, frustrations, jealousy, entertainment, boredom, revenge, accident, and social status.  Effects: suicide, fights, embarrassment, misdemeanor charges, threats, loss of ISP accounts.  Link: This is a video that talks about a recent bullying case

STUDENT DATA  Definition: Information collected such as student name, address, birthdate, attendance, grades, and test scores store by the teacher and or school.  Issue: Unauthorized release of information (If student personal information is shown to others without parental permission), unintentional sharing of data (if grades are accidentally revealed in class),and personal privacy.

INTERNET PRIVACY  Definition: is the desire or mandate of personal privacy concerning transactions or transmission of data via the Internet. It involves the type and amount of information a person reveals about themselves on the Internet and who may access such information.  Major Concerns: ability to control the rate, type, and sequence of the information viewed (Spam, or commercial , is a concern because it violates privacy, steals resources and uses personal information); users to understand how their information is collected and used (Many websites require people to identify themselves using personal information or data)  Issues: Cookies (http, flash, evercookies), photographs, data logging, internet providers, legal threats (government tracking of internet user information)

TEACHER TIPS  Have a clear policy with focus on educationally valuable use of the Internet.  The policy must be supported by curriculum and instructional development.  Student should be educated about online safety and responsible use.  Ensure that you are providing effective technical monitoring.  Apply appropriate disciplines for inadequate behavior on the internet.  Offer technology appropriate assessments.  Model the netiquette skills discussed.  Keep student data in a safe place, list names only by first name admitting the last name of each student.

TEACHER TIPS  Asses regularly the presence or opportunity for cyber bullying  Outline to your students that all forms of bullying are unacceptable.  Set clear rules and guidelines with consequences for students if bullying occurs.  Use filtering and monitoring software on school computers.  Have children sign a contract that showing their understanding of all rules and consequences of improper computer use.

STUDENT TIPS  Think how you would feel if someone posted this about you.  Think before you post. Remember the information will become public knowledge. (would your parents be happy if they saw it ). .Report any issues to the Web site and to an adult.  Tell an adult if someone posts threats of violence or self-harm.  People online might not be who they seem to be. Develop a plan for meeting online friends that is approved by your parent or guardian.  If you have been contacted by someone you don’t know, and you think they might be a sexual predator, report it to an adult.

DIGITAL DIVIDE  Gender  Socio Economic  Race  Resources Equity  Teacher Bias

GENDER  Definition: gap between men and women in reference to the amount of time and knowledge available to effectively use digital information and technology.  Issues: Women throughout history have had an issue with little access to technology, media and communications. They seem to have received less education, resources to become proficient with these resources.  Results: As of today it would seem that although men had initiated the cyber world, women's appearance on it has become the norm. Although they still will be less familiar at some points with men's understanding of video games increasing their technology abilities.

SOCIO ECONOMICS  Definition: The gap between low and high socio economic families in relation to their access to online information.  Issues: Lack of funding that would support the technology and research needs of students away from school. Low economic homes lack the resources needed for students to be successful on technology assignments outside of the classroom.  Statistics: 36% of families do not have at home access to broadband resources.

RACE  Definition: The divide between different ethnic backgrounds in reference to the access of digital media and technology.  Factors: Cultural differences (what they believe in ), experience with technology (how much the provider is or was exposed to the resources), education (level of schooling in the household; the more education was received the greater the chance of technology in the household), occupation (what the career of the provider is; does their job use the technology), and income (how much is brought in yearly; although this factor is not as large as many expect only accounting for 10-30% difference), language barriers.

RESOURCE EQUITY  Definition: The gap that causes a digital divide in reference to ones ability to gather information with “user centered, barrier-free, and format- independent access”.  Issues: Those who don’t have ease of access to information are missing out on: educational opportunities, increasingly digital work force and digital society.  Factors: World wide effort to support technology, involve technology in all aspects of life, and make it major part of classroom.

TEACHER BIAS  Definition: The divide between students in reference to teachers providing different information to their students. They are receiving one bit of information from one teacher and a competing bit from another.  Factors: teacher advocacy of technology, availability to all students, unbiased forms of presentations and assignments, and diversity.

TEACHER TIPS  Understand resources may not be available at home, find another source of resources available to students outside of school.  Consider diverse styles of teaching  Make presentations that appeal to all levels of technology understanding.  Consider technological ability of all students  Develop tolerance for different digital expericences