Internet Safety

This course EDRL6004 has prepared the Reading Specialists to integrate the technology into the school's curriculum.We have learned to blog, create photostories, wikis, e - books and do concept mapping, which can assist us to motivate the students, to learn the subject matter.Some of us struggled to grasp concepts but was eagerly assisted by our fellow teachers and tutor.As we practice with the tools, we have become better at using it. Now we are eager to go back to school an introduce the technology to our Members of Staff and our students.When we have accomplish this feat, our students will become enthusiastic about the technology, just as we have grown to love it or moreso.

We have read blogs from other teachers about teens and multitasking technology.We know how we can deal with the problem through educating the students about the dangers of the inability to recall information studied.Of most importance, is Internet Safety.Although there are laws which prohibit students from giving personal information online, it is the responsibility of teachers and parents, to educate the children of potential dangers of surfing the web.They have to be aware of websites that are unsafe.It is necessary that parents and teachers work along with students as they navigate the web.

Dealing with tech savvy kids

It is indeed a task for parents to deal with their children who spend their leisure time online than outdoors.However, they can manage how they use the technology.Parents have to be involved in their children's activities. They must know whether they are doing Home Work or chatting with friends.How do they do that? Computers should be placed in a strategic place in the sitting room. Then their activities can be monitored.Parents can show interest in their Home Work or Research projects and offer help. Our kids can't be left alone.

I believe that they should be educated on the dangers of multitasking technology. They should prioritize what is most important, the research project, the music or the cellphone.Also,it is important that they keep their grades up.

Is it good for our children to multitask technology all day long?

Is this the price of progress? The adults prospered with the advancement in technology and children are making use of them all.Is it alright for them to multitask? Rosen (2010), agrees that it is the responsibility of parents to teach their children how to use the tools sensibly.Also, parents need to instill a sense of balance, so that their homes are not ruled by the technology.Parents can develop ways of affording more family time to counteract this problem.For example,parents should set the standard during this time by switching of their cell phones and the television.

At school,students should be educated on using the technology safely, how to maintain good grades and have a social life.

What do you suggest as alternatives to the problem of multitasking?

Teens use technology to multitask and stay connected

Girls are better at multitasking than boys.

Critics of modern technology are of the belief that teens prefer to stay at home with their computers and video games. However,there are those who believe that technology facilitates greater connectivity among children between the ages 12 - 17 years. Young people use a variety of technologies and media at the same time to achieve a number of different goals.
The most popular form of multitasking is being online and watching television at the same time.

A Media Head Survey revealed that 35%of girls watched television while on the Internet, compared to 32%of the boys. Girls multitask in other ways.They use mobile phones, instant messaging and video phones with greater frequency than boys.

What do you think?