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Demonstrate an understanding of the relevant issues and the strategies available to support the safe, responsible and ethical use of ICT in learning and teaching
In a world of fast past digital technology we as teachers are, now more than ever, required to teach our students about the safe, ethical and responsible use of Information & Communication Technologies (ICT) to our students.
Digital tools are effective in engaging and challenge learners. Meaningful use of these technologies in the classroom can be extremely beneficial. It is important that students are taught how to build their online profile safely and responsibly. As teachers we should model as well as equip our students with the tools to ensure legal, safe and ethical behaviour when using ICT, at school, home and the within the community.
It is recognised that Applying Social and Ethical Protocols and Practices is one of five General Capabilities concerning ICT across the curriculum. It involves students developing an understanding of
Digital information security, including the responsibility to protect the
Preventing cyber bullying
Ensuring online security
Respecting audiences and being aware of the portrayal of the self and others
Seeing themselves as creators as well as users of ICT
Students are required to learn about issues relating to cyber safety, copyright laws, and digital information security and apply this knowledge to every subject area.
image sourced from www.acara.edu.au
Teachers are responsible to ensure that their students are safe when using ICTs. This includes teaching students
how to avoid exposure to inappropriate material or activities
how to protect themselves when online
knowledge of who and how risks can be presented
the understanding that once uploaded, digital posts are permanent
to feel confident about alerting adults when feeling unsafe, threatened or bullied and
Using signed Cyber safety Use Agreements, outlining policies of internet use (templates are available online http://www.decs.sa.gov.au/speced2/pages/cybersafety/)
Reporting criminal behaviour including cyber crime, abuse and neglect
Cyber safety and ethical use of ICT while researching to produce an ebook on human evolution in a year 3 classroom in a private school in the Perth metropolitan area:
During a two weeks integrated HASS - Literacy - Design and Technology unit of work, children researched content from various sources including internet web site such as Wikepedia, Britannica, several university web site and image banks.
Part of the unit of work consisted in reinforcing previous developed concepts of appropriate sources and ethical and safe use of the internet. I made sure that their devices used for research (Ipads and macbook air laptops) restricted the children from viewing inappropriate content.
Additionally, I explicitely taught mini lessons on appropriate use of the internet, inlcuding rehearsing scenarios that can be potentially harmful for children.
Reflection for future practice:
Considering the importance of developing a practice of ethical and safe use of ICT, I would integrate into a future unit of work such as the human evolution one described above, actual learning experiences in which children produce their own research and reflect on what ethical use of ICT and cyber safety looks like within the work they are producing.
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