FINAL POSTING-EVALUATING MY PLE EXPERIENCE

For my last reflection I am to discuss what I liked about using a blog and what I didn't like. The most valuable aspect about creating this PLE was having a place where I could keep all the information I learned throughout the class. It was also nice to be able to save websites and links that I can use later as a teacher. I have loved being able to pull up my PLE and use the links I have added for other class assignments such as lesson plans and projects. I have also liked being able to look through my previous reflections and use the ideas from them. I love having the information from our activities such as the science project. I also love being able to write my feelings and ideas I have each week about what we are doing in class. I think this is a really beneficial thing for me.
The thing I like least about the PLE was when I would have technical difficulties with posting items. One time the blog erased my whole reflection and I had to type it all again. (It was a long one too.) Other than that I haven't really had any problems with the PLE.
I love the idea of having a blog or wiki for my class to use as a resource. I definitely think I will have a blog for my classes every year. I think I will use it as a way for parents to stay updated and involved with what is going on at school. I will also use it to post fun activities that we are doing at school such as videos the students made.

IP&T WEEK 15 CONTINUED

For the rest of this weeks assignment we were required to teach the information we learned about internet safety to either a child, sibling, or parent. I taught my mom and 15 year old sister about several things I learned. We talked about chat rooms, cyber stalking, and cyber harassment. We talked about the grooming process predators go through to lure in their prey. We talked about what to do if you have experienced cyber harassment or stalking. We talked about the dangers of Myspace. We talked about cyber privacy and how to be safe. We talked about being careful with what information you put on the internet. I taught my sister how to recognize if a site is secure. I taught her to look for the s after the http or the padlock symbol.
I taught them about typo squatting. This was really beneficial information for both my mom and sister. Neither of them had heard about this before. We talked about avoiding pulling up pornography by not pulling up pop ups. We also briefly talked about viruses and hackers.
I feel the discussion went very well and was very positive. My mom felt the discussion was really valuable to her. She loved learning about typo squatting and felt like it is really valuable information to know. She also liked reviewing the other information that she already knew.

IP&T WEEK 15-Watching Internet Safety Videos

Before class on Thursday we are required to spend 60 minutes watching videos about how to keep kids safe on the internet. We are then supposed to write about the most important things we learn.
The first video I watched was from isafe.org on privacy and the internet. On this video it says that there is virtually no internet sites that secure your privacy. You are at risk of loosing your privacy on the internet. Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the U.S. Avoid giving out personal information over the internet. Don't pay with a credit card on the internet unless you know the site is safe. Look for an s after the http or a padlock symbol at the bottom of the computer screen. That tells you the site is secure. Avoid putting your social security number on the internet at all costs! Less is more... Be safe!
The second video I watched was from isafe.org about cyber relationships. One risk with meeting people online is that you don't really know who you are talking to. You are at risk for Cyber stalking, unwanted sexual harassment, or sexual solicitations. If this happens to you report it. They can be tracked. Predators on the internet go through the grooming process to lure in their prey. They usually start communication in a chat room. They appear to be a sympathetic friend. They are sneaky! Never agree to meet anyone! Don't give out any identifying information on the web especially when chatting. Look for Red flags! If you are cyber harassed or stalking it needs to be reported. Tell you parents and contact local law authorities. Report it at www.cybertipline.com.
The third video I watched was from isafe.org about intellectual property theft. This is illegally downloading music, videos, and other materials.
The fourth video I watched was from isafe.org about malicious code. There are about 70,000 known computer viruses!! Holy moly! The fifth video is from isafe.org about cyber citizenship. I learned about the microdot used to send messages by taking a picture containing a secret message and shrinking it down to the size of a period and placing it at the end of a sentence.
Next I watched the documentary from PBS and frontline. Kids now are growing up online. We need to be aware of what is going on because there are a lot of things they can easily hide.
I learned so much from watching these videos. I will keep this information in mind when I become a teacher and parent. I will teach my students to be safe when they use the internet. As a parent I will keep a close eye on what my children are doing online. I think the most important thing for parents and teachers is to be involved and aware!

IP&T WEEK 14: Continued

For this week's assignment we were to read four articles about media and the internet. These articles list suggestions on how to protect our families against the evils found in the media and on the internet. We were then required to answer four questions about the reading.

#1. For my fourth article I read...
"Leave It Alone" by H. Burke Peterson found in the New Era January 1995.
#2. What were the most important things you learned from the readings?
I learned that as adults we need to be aware of technology. As parents we need to know what technologies our children are using and set guidelines for how these technologies are used. Children need to be taught about the dangers there are on the internet. Parent also need to do all they can to protect their children from these dangers. Sometimes unwanted evils such pornography can appear even when we aren't looking for it. We need to protect our families against this by using filters and teaching our children not to open pop ups. In our homes we need to put computers in areas where there is high traffic. Children also need to be encouraged to only use the internet for specific purposes such as homework.
The internet can be a great resource if it is used appropriately. There are also a lot of evils found on the internet. The family is being attacked through what is found in media and on the internet. We need to be careful what we allow in our homes.

#3. How will what you have read influence your actions as a parent and/or teacher of children and youth?
The reading has helped remind me how important it is to educate children on how to be safe. As a parent and teacher I need to teach my children how to be safe on the internet. I need to address issues such as Cyber bullying, chatting, and pornography. I will need to warn my children about dangerous people that can pose as others. As a parent I will be aware of what my children are viewing on the internet and set guidelines for them.
#4. How can you use what you have learned from the reading to have a positive influence on family and friends?
I can use the information to help inform my parents how they can and should be involved in how the internet is used at their home. I can share what I've learned with friends and express my feelings on internet safety. I have a huge impact on what media is viewed in my house. I can set an example an only let clean and uplifting things be viewed on my television and computer.

IP&T WEEK 14

INTERNET SAFETY

Today in class we are learning about internet safety. We are going to watch a video about what things children should know and be aware of about the internet. While the video is playing I am going to write down things I think are important for kids to know. These are ideas I will teach my students and future children.

A lot of kids feel more comfortable talking to people online than in person. This scares me. Children who get so comfortable talking online will be unable to interact in social situations.

There is a lot of access to inappropriate material. We need to be careful of key word searches, advertisements, and pop ups.

typo quatting-used to lure children to pornography sites Truth and domain names act-its illegal to knowingly use frequently used names (spelled wrong but close to the real spelling) that will result in pulling up pornography.

Hate sites are showing up at a faster rate than pornography. A lot of these are designed to attract children.

Piracy is a popular activity of youth.
More than 50% of high school students have admitted to plagarising off of the internet.

We need to teach children about the affects of cyber bullying. We need to teach about how this is wrong and how it hurts others. Children need to know what things are considered bullying.

Children need to understand that people they are talking to online may not be who they say they are. We need to warn children that there are a lot of dangerous people who pose as others when they really are pedafiles and predators.