Comments on: Beatrice, you’re way off!

By: Heather

Heather — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:53:10 +0000

Personally, I think that social networking within a school environment, is WAY safer than trying to join a social network at home. At home a student may not have any positive resources influencing them, and therefore could get into trouble. In a school environment, a student could collaborate with other students from their class or other classes, and they would know it is a fairly safe environment to share ideas. When a child is left alone, with the whole word at their fingertips they could get into trouble and have no idea how to straighten it up. Even if collaboration was designed for at home use only, it would get really boring if you could only collaborate with your friends.

By: Spreading the “Good News” « EdTech4Newbies

Spreading the “Good News” « EdTech4Newbies — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 23:34:38 +0000

[...] share with their friends. Television leads them to believe the sites are dangerous. (see “Beatrice, you’re way off“ ) Based on those influences why would parents, administrators, or teachers support the [...]

By: John Woodring

John Woodring — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 19:01:54 +0000

I am with you Dean about setting the record straight on the myth of the online predator masking as a kid. I have to fight that battle with people in the school district who would rather bury their heads in the sand rather than educate people with the facts because the news media may spin it the wrong way.

I also agree with Dave Bircher that expecting parents to teach their children about things is like social networks is going to be like also expecting them to explain quantum physics, very few would even know about it much less be able to teach it.

For good or bad, schools are going to have to take the lead on educating both students and parents about the constructive and destructive uses of technology.

By: Dave

Dave — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 19:05:52 +0000

Thanks for pointing out things like this. There often seems to be misplaced effort in the areas of cyber safety and internet blocking, so it’s important that inaccuracies and extremist views are pointed out for what they are by trustworthy members of the community.

By: Dave Bircher

Dave Bircher — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 15:09:09 +0000

A couple of thoughts:

I agree with Rob that i would be concerned if my daughter was in chat room with sexual content. I think your point is key though, banning chilfren from the network is not the solution. Educating from an early age about the proper use of computers/networks is crucial.

Kids know how to use a computer in grade one, even Kindergarten. The,” She also feels schools should be teaching reading, math, science and computers (how to use a computer) but social networking should be taught in the homes” comment is even funny. Where is all this instruction (on social networks) happening now? Not at home. Parents usually have no idea of what there kids are doing on a computer or what they text on a phone! The idea od banning everything just does not work effectively over the long term.