Internet Safety

The videos posted on blackboard were all informal in there own way.  The internet is a form of technological means that should be utilized when it comes to student development but at the same time monitored strictly.   

Video 1:  This video does not particularly serve as a means of educating one on new views related to internet safety.  It easily explains the proper steps that should be taken when a internet predator has made possible contact.  Its significance lies in the fact that all children should know these steps when there is a possibility that there personal space is being violated. Children have more than one means to accessing the internet which makes it extremely hard to monitor their use.  This is why it is extremely essential that they know the the dangerous possibilities that exists with the internet along with the best ways to avoid them.    

Video 2: The second video portrays the cruel reality that exists when it comes to preditors on the internet.  The video does not serve as a means to new vision or perspective on this particular topic, but rather reminds us that not all people have the same intentions when it comes to internet activity.  It also shows how children are quite naive when it comes to communicating on the internet, which is why parents have to not only monitor but also teach about the possible dangers. 

Video 3: The last video does a great job of of showing how children use large amounts of technological means through their everyday lives.  With children having such strong dependence on various forms of the media along with technological based electronics, it is extremely important that educational standards include these forms of communication.  Educators are constantly working to find the most effective ways improve cognitive development and motivation with their their students.  Wikis, blogs, podcasts, interactive websites and other programs could all be used to improve student productivity.  With high standards being implemented on the federal and state levels regarding education, it is extremely important that districts use the most effective approaches.  Educators must understand that we are in a technological era that should be embraced and used as a means to reach our children.

Here is a site that has some steps to improving internet safety - http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/family/net_safety.html

Technology and education - this site takes a while to search through but has some good info - 

http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/technology/front_tech.htm

NJCCCS / NETS

Guidelines in the form of the NJCCCS and NETS are extremely important to the technological development of schools throughout the state.  Similar to other major subject areas, it is crucial that districts  work with the same standards and pace throughout the entire state to ensure that all students are given a similar opportunity for technological growth.  The guidelines serve as the groundwork in which educators build upon when creating basic lesson plans to a year long curriculum.  

The NETS (2008) do in fact set standards when developing technological based lessons.  Technological benchmarks are explained in detail of what should be carried out through a technological curriculum.  The main problem is that the terminology used could be considered confusing and hard to fallow.  It would be understandable if teachers did have difficulty implementing these standards into specific strategies and assessment tools. 

The NJCCCS on the other hand tend to accommodate educators quite a bit more when it comes to terminology and construction.  The NJCCCS standards were created with consideration so that they could easily be applied to lessons regarding all age groups and grade levels.  They include precise instruction on skill levels that should be obtained along with recommended actions that should be taken throughout one's lesson.  This would be a great source of guidance for teachers who are new to using technology in their daily schedules.  

Standards such as these must be created on the state and national level so that students are abbe to keep up with the technological demands of the present day.