For my first summary I chose the topic of sexual predators on the Internet. I have often been concerned with this issue as I allow my students to experience the Internet. Although I closely monitor what they are accessing, I wanted to learn more about ways to prevent students from accessing inappropriate sites. During my search, I found a very useful site that contained a great deal of valuable information. This site is called Pedowatch, and is designed to aid parents, teachers, and law enforcement officials in their quest to end the large amount of pornography located on the web. The information that I found that was especially interesting and useful were the links that contained lists and explanations of steps parents and teacher could take to limit the access to these sites. The steps for teachers are very simple and rely a great deal on common sense. They give suggestions like do not allow students to give their full names and addresses, students should avoid adult oriented sites, and students should not be allowed in a chat room unless closely supervised. Most of these tips I was aware of and am currently discussing with my students, however, I did become informed about the use of web screeners to limit the access students or children may have to certain sites. I hope to look into this topic more as my use of the Internet in the classroom continues.
The information that I gathered at this site will enable me to know what areas to address when trying to make my students aware of the problems with inappropriate sites on the web. The link on this site called "Common Sense Steps Schools with Computers Can Take" gives a comprehensive list of the issues to cover. In the classroom it would be beneficial to discuss each item contained in this list. In fact, the list clearly states at the top that it may be freely reproduced and distributed for the benefit of children. I would make the students and parents aware of the list, post the list in the classroom, and review the items before each Internet activity began. I would also make parents aware that if their child refuses to follow the guidelines that have been established their child will not be able to use the Internet. I would also make parents aware of the site and the location of the list that refers to steps parents can take at home to limit the access of their children. This could be useful information to some parents who may be unaware of the problems.
For my second summary I decided to address the extremely sensitive issue of censorship. Through my search I found a number of sites that were related to this topic, however, most of them took an extremely biased stand on censoring the net. This issue is one that certainly has a variety of people very alerted and upset. Although it took a great deal of effort to find a site that tried to address the feelings of both sides of the argument I did discover one that did a fairly decent job. However, it was easy to tell that the producers of this site were very offend by the passage of the bill to limit information found on the Internet. The site I finally decide on was actually a collection of sites developed by Yahoo. This site was originally constructed in support of Black Thursday. However, this site did allow the reader to be able to access clickable links to various article related to censorship, and also gave the option to enter a page were various people had written their opinions on the issue. This page also provide a clickable link that stated and explained the censorship bill. I was surprised to learn that the violation of this law could result in a $250,00 fine and 2 years in prison.
As I was conducting this search I was bearing in mind that this issue could be addressed in the classroom in various manners. One way that came to mind was to address this issue in conjunction with the studying of the Declaration of Independence and The Constitution. However, I think that the study and discussion of censorship would be better served in a high school setting. At the fifth and sixth grade levels the study of censorship may be a bit overwhelming. Besides, I found many of the sites on the web that discussed censorship to have some very inappropriate language and comments, which brings us back to the issue at hand. Should we regulate what is located on the Internet for the students? This discuss will undoubtedly be a never ending feud!!!
Summary #3 - Center for Democracy and Technology
For my third summary, I chose the issue of frefreedom of speech, however, it was hard to decipher between this topic and the topic of censorship. While searching I came across a very interesting site that is sponsored by the Center for Democracy and Technology. This site is devoted to addressing ways to make the Internet safe for children while still preserving the flow of information that enters the web. This site states that it does not promote censorship, but empowers parents and teachers to be the key to the appropriate use of the Internet. In fact, the mission statement of the page specifically states that it does not promote the use of rating, labeling, or blocking of Internet material. They specifically promote freedom of access by everyone.
Once again we come back to the issue that parents and teachers are ultimately responsible for what children experience. I thoroughly agree with the concepts addressed by this organization. I believe that children can be taught the correct way to access information on the Internet, and that it can be a very useful tool. However, parents and teachers must first make children aware of their boundaries when using the Internet, and must be constantly aware of what children are doing. The correct use of the Internet in the classroom can be promoted by having students work in groups or as partners, usually the students will keep each other honest. At home, parents and children can use the Internet together, this will ensure the correct usage, as well as, giving parents some quality time with their children. Just like many other things in life, the Internet can be dangerous without education and the proper usage, however, it can also provide some wonderful learning experiences for our children.
Summary #4 - Internet Fraud Watch ( 1-800-876-7060)
For my fourth article I summarize a site called Internet Fraud Watch which supplies visitors with helpful tips to fraud free use of the Internet. The main index of this site gives clickable links to several helpful lists. The lists I found most pertinent was the list containing basic Internet tips and online travel fraud tips. Some of the suggestions that I found on these pages were common sense items like, beginning aware of the fact that people advertising on the Internet mat not always be what they seem and to be careful not to download programs just to see pictures or hear music, you may download a virus. This list was just some very basic tips, but may be worth your while to read and remember.
To address these issues with my classroom I would take the approach again of validating the information on the net. This would involve the process of conveying the need for students to be careful of the information that is sometimes located on the Internet. In the classroom my students are not allowed to download any information if it has not been approved by the a teacher. Our network at school is currently blocked so that students cannot order items from the Internet. However, it is necessary to make students aware that they are able to buy items on the net, however, these companies may be out to take your money. Inform students to be careful about ordering a product by sending a check or cash through the mail in return for the company sending the product. Students should be aware that if they are going to order a product make sure you have researched the company or have talked to a peer that has had success with the company. Also addressing the issue of downloading information, there are some very bright and flashy sight out their that might be waiting to supply them with a virus. Basically the key to issue is to make students aware of the definition of fraud and let them know that it does exist in several forms on the Internet.
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