Blog 2: Tips for keeping Kids safe

As I read this Article for the classroom I found this information to hep parents out. In the Video i have posted shows how much the teenagers are on the internet and social media. Everyone knows the Internet use comes with risks, but they may not be the ones most people imagine. The fear of sexual predators online is a problem, but it’s inflated because among the 50,000 arrests made in child molestation cases in 2009, only 850, or less than 2 percent of them, involved offenders who met the victim online.  The other things that are problems are cyberbullying, over sharing, spending excessive time online, and easy access to mature material. The Flip side of using the internet is the wealth of educational and social-enrichment opportunities.  There are four tips that can help keeping kids safe.

Talk to your kids early and often about being safe online

            The first tip is talk to your kids early and often about being safe online That means asking your children about the websites they like and always check it out to see the dangers. Parents should also teach their kids about the potential hazards of links, downloads, and sharing too much information online.

            The Second tip is securing your equipment. Having the latest security software, Web browser, and operating system are the best defenses against viruses, mailware and other online threats. Even if you can’t afford one there’s some online. Always use software that updates automatically and secure all other devices that connect to the Internet and your computer. These measures also help protect against children's identity theft. In addition there are kid-friendly E-mail accounts online and parents can establish filters on Internet search engine. Parents can also monitor the History button.

Establish rules no matter how hard ir is.

            The third tip is establishing rules on the computer.  Set rules that children are clear about. For example the amount of time allowed for Internet use. Limit the time on the computer and make sure school work is done before anything else.

            The fourth tip is to get online and check what your kids are on.  Become familiar with your kids websites by friending them on and monitoring Facebook or monitoring their favorite sites.  Check to make sure they cannot get into trouble and be aware of what they could encounter.

Reflection in my Classroom

Internet safety is something I try to address frequently and authentically with my students. I have found education around this issue to be so important. When students develop internet behaviors without guidance, problems are sure to occur. My hope is that teaching students the dangers and with the parents help we can help them to navigate the Internet better! The article I am using as my main point of the blog has some great resources, but forgot to mention other helpful hints.  Since Social media website and apps are on the rise and aren’t going anywhere it’s important to have rule for those as well. Example it’s to never safe to add people as online friends unless you know them in real life or have parent permission. Never allow your student to arrange to meet an online friend without talking to you about it. It’s also important to teach your child to watch what they put online and what they share with friends.  Because the frustrations that they may post today or the funny inappropriate picture they send to their friend for a laugh may come back and haunt them in their adult years. Today’s generation of teens is the first that will not be allowed to forget their mistakes. Most of their formative years have been recorded online, and that includes the activities that most teen do.  There’s article you can research on about how one Facebook post or one picture was sent has caused a teen trouble that most of them regret doing. Its better they learn what to post now before it’s too late.

Teach your teens the Consequences of what they post.

Blog1: How the Technological World Meets Your Child's Education

     Technology has made the world better in many ways especially when brought into the classroom.  When integrating technology successfully into the classroom, teachers must be informed of the needs of the children while still keeping up with the learning objectives. It is also very important how technology is used to help the student learn with the right technology.  When integrating technology into the classroom, it is important not to confuse it with using the internet for the project, researching information for your lesson, or using Microsoft Office products to help your assignment in any way. When using technology, it’s important that that it doesn’t cause distraction to the assignment and the students keep their mind on the subject. When technology was first introduced to the classroom were based on the work of behaviorists such as B.F. Skinner, whose work considered computers were able to provide drill and practice on previous learned skills. David Ausubel added on by helping us understand that how a learner receives and stores information affects its usefulness of the information. Ausubel’s theory would be known as the directed method, and it would lay the groundwork for a more efficient method of creating directed instruction.

Another theory that is important in technology is Constructivist instruction. Constructivism is a theory of learning that describes how our mind creates knowledge. This theory is based on the works of Jean Piaget. Piaget’s theory has two major parts: one component that predicts what children can and cannot understand at different ages, and a theory of development that describes how children develop cognitive abilities. These are two keys that are important for teaching and learning in the classroom.  The first rule is that learning is an active process where experience plays the key for storing the information and how information is presented. The second rule is that learning should be authentic as possible. The technology connected to Piaget would be CD-ROMs and Videodisks.  Another technological use for Constructionist learning by computer programing language LOGO developed to rely on computer for realization.  Vygotsky constructive theory is often called social constructivism. Vygotsky claims meditation is the central point of our psychology. Through meditation a human’s cognation engages in relationships with the material and social environments that are fundamentally different from non-meditated relationships. In Vytosky’s view to use technology to connect students is appropriate. When integrating technology there isn’t a right or wrong answer, but the teacher must make the final decision on what’s best suited for their classroom. There are three questions to ask yourself if technology is worth it. The first is the lesson content worthwhile? The second question Does the lesson activities engages students? The third question How technology enhances the lesson in ways that would not be possible without it?

Reflection in my classroom

The article is an excellent source to show me how to not only use technology to enhance the children’s learning experience, but also not overuse that it would harm the children learning.  When integrating technology in my classroom I will use it to enhance their learning experience other than using the textbook.  An example later on this year we will watch Martin Luther King's “I have a Dream” speech so they can not only hear the speech, but have a visualization of it. When teaching your children, I will use the constructivist instruction theory more because it shows more results in the class.  When teaching, I will make sure when I integrate technology that the lesson content is worthwhile, the lesson activities engages students, and technology enhances the lesson in ways that would not be possible without it.

Entry 1: Integrating a technological world into to your Child's Education

Technology in the classroom has changed in the past several years with the introduction of tablets

      

            Technology has become part of our lives in more ways than one. It touches almost every part of our lives, our communities, and our homes. Yet most schools are behind when it comes to integrating technology into classroom learning. Schools are just beginning to explore the potential technology offers for teaching and learning. When technology is integrated right, it will help children survive in this world that feeds on technology.

When integrating technology into my classroom, it does not mean that I am teaching basic computer skills and how to use Microsoft Office to do the work instead of using paper. Effective technology integration must happen through the curriculum in ways that deepen and enhance the learning process. When integrating technology in the curriculum, it must have active engagement, participation through all students, frequent interaction and feedback between the students and teacher, and enhance the learning experience. Effective technology integration is achieved when the use of technology is routine and transparent and meets the instructional goals. Technology integration with the Internet also provides each classroom with more interesting, diverse, and current learning materials. The Internet connects students to numerous opportunities for expressing understanding through images, sound, and text that isn’t offered through a textbook. Technology also changes the way I teach, by offering me effective ways to reach different types of learners and assess student understanding through multiple means. An example would be that we now have tablets in the classroom to enhance a lesson through an app or website. When technology is effectively integrated into subject areas, it makes teaching and learning more meaningful and fun for both the students and teachers. So when my students are using technology its not to make my life easier, but help them learn in ways other than basic lecture. 

                                              In regards Mr. Vega
                                                             

 

Computers are the most common use technology used at home to enhance learning.