Internet Safety

READING:

First, and foremost, I certify that I have read all of the articles.

I read Mixed Signals from the June 2001 New Era for by #5 article.

Some of the most important things I learned from the readings was the idea that media and the internet can obviously be used for good or evil. Something I found extremely interesting was the idea that Satan uses media as a way to attack the family. I guess I had thought of this before, but mostly when I consider the evils of the media I think about the individual consequences. However, considering that the family is the most important institution of the church, it makes perfect sense that Satan would use every tool to destroy it. I also found it really interesting that the internet could be used for "idleness." Reading it from the prophet it makes perfect sense because the internet and media are all "false." I have real relationships with my out of town sisters, but other than that, everything I do on the internet does not promote a better relationship with my husband, a healthier body for myself, or anything else that "invites the Holy Ghost." Don't get me wrong, I think technology is a great way to stay connected to long distance friends, to save time, and to waste less energy, but it can so easily be abused.

I'm not sure if it will influence me much as a parent as much of what I read will be FAR outdated by the time I have tech-savy kids. However, as a teacher I will need to recognize the importance of not assigning projects that could potentially lead students to risky situations. For example, with my blog project, I would need to insure that they made their blog settings private and just added me (and possibly the rest of the class) as a viewer. I should also be careful when I have them search for pictures as that can always be a risky business. By using school computer (which I know have filters) to complete assignments I can ensure greater internet safety for my students.

I think after reading this, I have a personal goal to be on the internet less and spend more time (even if it's just 5 minutes) with my husband. So often I come home and just instantly get on the internet I lose little things like a hug as I walk in the door from my husband. Likewise, sometimes when my husband gets home I am busy doing something on the computer so I don't get up and greet him. I'm not sure how I can influence family and friends for good, but I know that there is a lot I can do for my own little family.

WATCHING:

http://ikeepsafe.org/assets/videos/?vid=fauxpaw_video

I am partial to this one as my husband is in the animation program. Even though he didn't contribute to this video, it is engaging and cute. This would be a good video to show kids right before doing internet research (for a research paper or something). I wouldn't show it to kids much older than 8th grade, but it works for younger kids.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/kidsonline/view/main.html

This video addresses the real issues, and the importance, of teaching with technology. I don't know if I entirely agree with this video entirely. I think that it is important to implement technology but NEVER at the expense of accomplishing your objective. Sometimes things are better accomplished without media and I think that if done correctly, even not using media can be effective. However, it is important that as teachers we know how to use these technologies and implement them when we can. Something else is that I will most definitely read EVERY SparksNotes for EVERY book I teach. This way I can create assignments that require them to actually read. The kid said, if there were 27 hours in the day, I would read Hamlet. But there is only 24. Well using media in a different way, you can get the students to read Hamlet, and still enjoy it. One great way to teach Shakespeare is to listen to it on tape. Not only does it make the reading go faster and makes it more interesting, but it also helps comprehension cause often vocal fluctuation can help with understanding what a sentence means. Hamlet on tape is only 4 hours. Not that I would recommend it, but that could be done in a single night. Reading Hamlet is easy, you just have to help them realize that. Same with a lot of other things they find "easier" online.

I don't think there is anything wrong with MySpace or Facebook. It can obviously be abused, but I think it can be a good thing. I don't see how it relates to teaching, except for being aware of how your students could be using those sites to torment each other. A big thing to combat this is to just create a class of mutual respect and a safe environment where the students generally start to care about each other.

I am more concerned about phones in my classroom.

http://ilearn.isafe.org/

I just thought this was a good idea and a good tool for helping students stay safe.

DOING:

I spoke with my mother-in-law who is in her late 40's and has 5 children. Her oldest is my husband (age 25), then she has a 23-year old, a 19-year-old, a 16-year-old, and a 13-year-old. She knew quite a bit about the internet, but their whole family in general is kinda sheltered. I shared some of the church talks I read with her (mostly because I felt that she would be most receptive to that) and she was fairly familiar with them. She already seemed to be implementing much of what was already in the articles such as using a filter and having the computer in a high traffic area. I'm not sure how helpful I was; she already knew a lot. Though the reception was positive and it is very relevant to her as she still has two young teenagers at home.