The world wide web can be used for many of purposes; to connect with others, to discover new learning - broadening one's mind. However, the internet also provides opportunities to harm one's safety.
It is essential that the world wide web is used in an appropriate way that does not harm the safety or wellbeing of students. Thus, explains the protection policies implied by Queensland Education. The department of Education Queensland ensures the safety and protection of all Queensland students by ensuring that inappropriate or harmful websites are blocked. These include websites that may contain inappropriate advertising. These policies are implemented on behalf of good means, however limits the students access and abilities to explore what the world wide web has to offer. For instance, common purposeful tools that may enrich a Child's learning like that of YouTube is blocked on the schooling system.This action is yet justifiable due to that fact that any individual is able to upload clips to this popular and widely used site. Furthermore, when students are required to do research on a particular subject it is discovered that many of these websites are non accessable. I have shared this frustration myself when I attended a state school (near to two years ago).
This is where I see the use of the internet in schooling is limited. It is frustrating to think that resourceful, meaningful and purposeful tools are being blocked. Guidelines or monitoring will have to eventually recognise this view of limiting a Child's right to access tools that will enhance their learning. As technology grows, so too will the ability to determine the 'unsafe' and recognise the potential it may have in learning.
Web spaces such as wikispacs and weebly allow for teachers to create a means where students are protected and able to access appropriate tools that will enhance their learning journey. Teachers are able to already to the hard yards in finding and accessing appropriate materials such as websites, interactive activities and other tools to complete tasks. However, I do believe these spaces have a time and a place within the schooling context.
An example was shown within week two of managing eLearning of a school newsletter. The teacher had used a space to communicate with parents of students within their class. However, students names and situations were identified as well as private information that parents may wish to not made public (like that of lack of funds regarding school excursion) Furthermore, the space breach of copyright and other rights, such as publishing students pictures and information without permission.
It is neccessary for teachers to ensure that these spaces are used in a appropriate manner within the classroom to protect the students as well as the students learning journey.
Evidence of using the tools: Weebly space is used to link the tools used throughout Managing elearning to Blooms Taxonomy.
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