Most children in today's world are growing up with unlimited access to the internet. This can be a fantastic opportunity for learning. There is so much available online that can expand children's knowledge and let them experience things they would never usually be able to. However, in order for pupils to have fun and learn using the internet, they must be taught how to stay safe online. They must be made aware of the dangers of the internet and how to deal with potentially dangerous situations that may arise.
The above pictures shows an example of e-Safety rules that could be present at all times in the classroom to always remind pupils how to stay safe online. The rest of the page contains: the I.C.T. pledge which I have signed and will adhere to for the rest of my career; an example of a website used to gain information on staying safe online along with various resources for teachers and parents, and links to e-Safety videos and additional resources which can be used to discuss certain online issues.
The above pictures shows an example of e-Safety rules that could be present at all times in the classroom to always remind pupils how to stay safe online. The rest of the page contains: the I.C.T. pledge which I have signed and will adhere to for the rest of my career; an example of a website used to gain information on staying safe online along with various resources for teachers and parents, and links to e-Safety videos and additional resources which can be used to discuss certain online issues.
I.C.T. Pledge
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PGCE PRIMARY ICT Pledge
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I agree to the following pledge:
Signed: Jack W Date: 10/09/13
PGCE PRIMARY ICT Pledge
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I agree to the following pledge:
- To adhere to school policies regarding child protection and E safety.
- To adhere to the national CEOP guidelines http://www.ceop.police.uk/
- Not to take images of learners, school or University staff without permission from the school in the case of pupils or the individual in the case of adults.
- Not to publish, circulate or use for none course related purposes any image or information about a child or professional practitioner encountered as part of the PGCE programme without permission.
- Not to expose pupils to inappropriate materials or details which would allow them access such materials.
- To always annonomise material included in course related tasks and assignments.
- Not to give learners any details of personal telephone numbers, Email accounts or access to social networking accounts.
- Not to engage with learners encountered on the primary PGCE within any form of social networking .
- To report to an appropriate authority any suspicious or suspected activity encountered which might be considered to be grooming of a young person or a threat to young person.
- To promote ESafety and responsible use of ICT and web based resources so as to enable young people to interact at an appropriate level.
- To follow school policy on supporting homework by email and by creating a separate ‘professional account’ solely for this purpose.
- Avoid if loading sensitive pupil data onto your laptop OR USB. If you have no choice please ensure that it is encrypted and school policy is followed www.truecrypt.org
- Ensure your showcase website will be my own work and will accurately reflect my personal capability in ICT.
- Manage the quality of third party content on your showcase website to the best of your ability. For example untick the “Show suggested videos when the video finishes” option on YouTube content
Signed: Jack W Date: 10/09/13
Teaching e-Safety
e-Safety is not just a one off topic that will be taught once a year. It is something that teacher must embed into the classroom and something that the pupils are continually aware of every time they go online. http://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/ is a great starting point for teachers and pupils to learn together about staying safe online. It contains top tips, videos, games and a wide variety of resources (posters, guides, additional training) that can be used in the classroom. There is also a teacher area of the website (https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/Teachers/) which provides presentations, practitioner guidance and FAQs (to name a few) which all aim to help teachers deliver effective teaching and to keep children safe online.
The is the KS1 homepage. It contains advice on how to stay safe when using chat-rooms, playing games, emailing, using friend sites. This section also has the characters 'Lee and Kim' who the pupils can watch in videos about e-Safety and play games with them in different online situations. If the pupils engage with characters they like and enjoy watching, they may be more likely to respond to the lessons and messages presented in the videos and games. Similar to 'Lee and Kim' is 'Hector's World.' This follows around a cartoon dolphin trying to stay safe on the internet. The site also contains a section on who to talk to if anything is worrying the pupils while they are online.
This part of http://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/ is tailored towards KS2 and caters to the interests that these children may have such as: using mobile phones; using social networking sites; sharing files and there is a much bigger focus on cyber bullying. There is also a much bigger focus on children of this age to take more responsibility for what they see online. They are encouraged to be confident and not be scared of reporting any abuse they experience whilst online. There is also a 'Cyber Cafe' simulator where KS2 pupils pretend to run a cyber cafe whilst making sure that everyone there is staying safe online.
Below is a list of additional videos and resources that will be useful in teaching about e-Safety. They could be introduced to pupils to open up discussions about being safe online and allow the pupils to talk about what they would do if they were in any of these situations situations.
Cyber Bullying
Computer Hackers
Keeping personal information safe online
e-Safety Posters
http://www.jrcs.bardaglea.org.uk/Websites/jorichardson/Images/E-safety-posters.pdf
http://www.downs.kent.sch.uk/_files/policies/7A994FCA4E7BD46159C33B48F1EE576E.pdf
http://www.downs.kent.sch.uk/_files/policies/7A994FCA4E7BD46159C33B48F1EE576E.pdf