Final PLE post

The most valuable aspect of this PLE was being able to reflect on the things that I learned and ideas that I have for incorporating technology in my teaching. I now have my own personal site that has my ideas and the knowledge that I gained through this course. There are some aspects of this course that I will definitely want to remember, so this PLE will be very helpful in reminding me of what I learned.

The only real issue I had with the PLE was the occasional problem I had with posting something or uploading a picture or video. I didn't have any problems with the postings, I thought they were a good time for reflection. However, I understand technology is unpredictable so that isn't something that can really be changed. I would change the number of PLE postings due during the practicum. I often found myself writing the same answers each week.

In the future, I would most likely use a blog for personal use to keep my extended family updated on my family's life. However, I do think that it would be interesting to use a blog as a type of class newsletter, where parents can be updated on what is going on in their child's classroom.

Readings on Media and the Internet

For my fourth article I read "I Have A Question" by William C. Porter. From these articles, I learned that the most important thing in regards to Internet and Media safety is to make good choices about what you view and watch on the Internet and the media. This may include setting rules and guidelines for your family to follow in order to protect them from the dangers posed by the Internet. The Internet and media can be positive and productive resources, however we must know how to combat the negative and evil influences that can be found through these mediums. By reading these articles, I have learned that many of the dangers on the Internet and media occur unintentionally or are subtle and indirect. This knowledge helps me to know to be more explicit in helping my students to understand what to do if something that they were not expecting occurs while they are on the Internet or watching some sort of media. Through what I have learned, I can encourage my friends and family to make good choices when using the Internet and media. I can also set my own limits on how much time I spend on the Internet and the media. My students and future children will look to me as an example, so if I am making good choices about what I choose to do, they will hopefully take counsel from that and choose to make productive and positive choices on the Internet and media. I will also take some of the ideas given about how to make my home safe from Internet and media dangers. These articles really helped me to see how important it is to make conscious choices about how I will use my time with the media, as well as how I will teach my students and children.

Internet Safety Video Clips

Many children have never known life without the Internet.
Online to have "fun"
1 in 4 students don't have problems talking to strangers online.
Problem sites: pornography, gambling, hate sites
260 million pornographic websites
40% have visited an inappropriate website
90% of 8-16 years old have viewed pornography online. It is usually unintentional.
Inappropriate material appears in key word searches, advertisements, etc.
Companies use popular misspellings to lead students to pornographic sites: "typo squatting"
Hate sites are showing up at a faster rate than pornography
Over 50% of HS students have admitted to plagiarizing
30% say its easier to talk with people on the Internet than in person
3rd and 4th graders: 18% go into chat rooms, 46% use E-mail, 26% use IM
High tech teasing: psychologically harmful, longer duration. "The new bathroom wall"
Cyberbullying can be deadly: depression, suicide, murder
People online may ot be who they say they are.
Every child with Internet access at risk.
Cyber predation: internet friendship, built false trust, arranged to meet, criminal act--The Grooming Process (these predators act like they are understanding, caring friends) They listen to the children, give them more attention than they receive and find out important details about the child.
Boys are victimized as often as girls
Parent-child communication about internet behavior is lacking.