http://www.slide.com/r/uve_4QW06D-Mi1l-0JZX_hRsa6gXs-zH

Web-Based Software

APPS you can access through your Web Browser - Web-based software lets you create spreadsheets, edit photos, and create documents. Applications can be found at www.zoho.com and Google Docs, docs.google.com You must sign up, but it's all free. It has planners, an chat functions so you can share schedules and talk online!

NEW HORIZONS: Internet Safety Classes in School

NEW HORIZONS: Internet Safety Classes in School

http://www.auntlee.com/safety/

Internet Safety Classes in School

Internet Safety classes in school? - Isn't this where it should all start? There is so much that kids have learned on their own, yet there is still so much that they don't know. Kids do need to be warned about the dangers of sharing personal information on the Internet and agreeing to meet Web acquaintances in person. Virginia is the FIRST state to mandate that public schools offer Internet safety classes for all grade levels. Texas and Illinois have Internet safety education, but they don't make their courses mandatory. These such efforts are long overdue as the Internet's technological advances have enabled criminals to reach more victims. We as teachers/guides are sensitive to the needs of the students, however it's difficult to feel comfortable unless we know our students know the dangers they may encounter. There is not a way to protect youngsters from on-line predators unless they themselves are educated. With today's tools, there is permanence in what students are uploading to the web. How will that information effect them when they're looking to apply for college or out job hunting? Do they know how much of this information can be used against them - or exposed? Internet safety classes should be offered into existing coursework for 11-16 year olds as the state of Virginia is doing. Although young people feel pretty safe or "bulletproof", young people are still vulnerable. It's necessary to reinforce the old warning: "Don't talk to strangers". It is my opinion that each state has a Dept. of Education (of Technology), and should work with schools to integrate Internet Safety lessons at no cost to the student, or the district. If they have these classes before they enter High School, then we can do less on-line babysitting and get down to using the Web for all the resources it has, and without fear that "someone" will become a victim.

Reflection

Reflection of the Web 2.0 class - Everyone is surrounded by information in today's world. We are bombarded daily by more information than we could possibly process, yet we still seek information. Continuously, I ask myself; how do I familiarize myself with the 21st century learner? First, we must connect with each other, and that's what this class has helped us do. Myra knew how to engage us in new and exciting ways, just as we have to do for the youth that we serve. The tools that she showed us, help us to organize our information, such as RSS feeds. She also showed us that the new web is participatory, with information flowing in all directions rather than from author to reader. I really enjoyed building a blog of my own. All of a sudden you become part of this community communicating with people with the same or like interests.

• It could allow an administrators to post news events for a school community for upcoming events, announcements, classroom information, school menus (just about anything).
• Someone could use it to announce a short-term problem, or for public relations.
• Blogs could be an excellent tool for community building as regular posts could keep people up to date on a specific topic.
• A blog could even replace a school website that was built a very long time ago.
• The interactive tools we learned about allow students to collaborate on projects, build knowledge together, and publish thier ideas.

After this class, I feel much more comfortable in being a "true guide" as these students approach me. There are opportunities that allow these students to find exactly what they are looking for because of the Web's endless supply of information. Everything anyone could want is someplace on-line and I would not have realized half of it unless I reached out for that professional development and took this class. Because I like to read about the lastest technology, I'll continue to blog about "things" I come across. Myra's blog was a great resource for this class. The idea of building your own professional network where you find the people from whom you can learn and ask questions or make comments is one of the major benefits of blogging. These conversations are so valuable and allows people to collaborate like never before. Through these interactive and public discussions, ideas can be developed and expanded upon. I think we will see more and more podcasts for educational learning opportunities and it will develop rapidly to support and assist educators.

The free online photo management and sharing applications that we learned about were the best. Now I can post my pictures on www.flickr.com and share those photos with family and friends in my hometown 2000 miles away. I no longer have to carry my photo album across the country to share it!

In closing, I do think that students today will need 21st century skills in their job markets. They will be used to communicating with a wide range of people (from all over the world) and they will continue to build personal networks. Schools can help guide them. Educators can help students learn how to process and use the information wisely. Parents of these students are also getting on board using cell phones (text messaging) simply to check in with their kids. They are finding out the benefits of these simple "tools" (cell phones). Two of the Washington area's largest school districts send automatic text message alerts for weather-related school closures and other emergencies. It has us "connected". Technology is changing quickly, and we each seek our own comfort level. Thank you Myra for bringing this PST to the Clerks of Svvsd!

Thing #23

Expand your mind - http://movies.atomiclearning.com/k12/home has been one of my favorite pastimes. It's loaded with tutorials and it's so easy to become familiar with a program in a just a few steps. This is a great tool to have at our fingertips. If a school or district is committed to implementing new technologies, the staff will get the message. This is one tool that is worth your time in "expanding your mind". It's free, it's supported by the school, and it's very easy to understand! It puts you in the "technology expert" seat in a hurry! The ability to be exposed to all the tools (like atomic learning can show you), can help you understand the educational potential of those tools. Keep exploring, it will make a difference!

Thing #22

Cellphones as classroom learning tools - I took Bud Hunt's K12 online class and this was the first conference I tapped into at http://k12onlineconference.org/?p=152 to open the discussion about Cellphones as learning tools. I listened to this podcast and the theory of connecting kids favorite digital toy with classroom learning. But, aren't they distracting? Didn't we live without them for 100 years? Aren't they disruptive and don't they allow kids to cheat on exams by textmailing each other? Apparently not in 25 NH schools where kids can access homework, class assignments and conduct research. But, who is footing the bill? The parents, the school? This conference is also where I linked to http://www.gabcast.com/ and made my own podcast. The benefits of cell phone use: they couple w/Web 2.0 resources, can be data collection tools (and not just social toys), mobile web, calendars, calculators, cameras and audio recording devices. Is the cellphone the "next swiss army knife"? Welcome to the 21st century!