E-Safety (Week 1 / 24th of January 2014)

 Internet used in schools can be fun and has a lot of advantages in children's development but, at the same time, it can be dangerous.
 Children are very fluent in technology nowadays and keen to discover more. Their learning process should be encouraged and supervised. There are several aspects that children and adults must be aware of when using the internet, and many websites highlight them. Additional help and information  can also be found on websites, such as:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/topics/stay-safe
http://www.kidsmart.org.uk/beingsmart/
http://www.chatdanger.com/resources/

 BLOGS

 Children can be supported and helped by teachers and practitioners to create blogs. Firstly, it needs to be explained that "Many blogs take the form of a personal journal, recording aspects of an individual's day to day experience." Barber and Cooper (2012, p. 3). Pupils must be also be informed that this range of diary is not private as other people can see it. Therefore, they are advised not to use their full name or address (using the first name is enough) and to share ideas on their blogs only with people they know. They can introduce school work on the blog, and sharing their learning with family and friends can be very exciting.  Blogs can effectively be used in the classroom as they can create a learning environment that extends  beyond school. Introducing blogs in education motivates pupils to: read and write, research information, participate in discussion, express ideas and suggestions. More than this children can proudly show their hard work to family and friends (no matter where they are in the world) and receive feedback, which stimulates and enables them to improve.
  Technology is and continues to be key in people's everyday life! Let's make good use of it!!!

 Reference
 Barber, D. and Cooper, L. (2012) Using New Web Tools in the Primary Classroom. Abingdon: Routledge.


Children are always told to be smart. What does SMART mean when it comes to internet safety?

 Keep safe by being careful not to give out personal information when you’re chatting or posting online. Personal information includes your email address, phone number and password.

Meeting someone you have only been in touch with online can be dangerous. Only do so with your parents’ or carers’ permission and even then only when they can be present. Remember online friends are still strangers even if you have been talking to them for a long time.

Accepting emails, IM messages, or opening files, pictures or texts from people you don’t know or trust can lead to problems – they may contain viruses or nasty messages!

Someone online might lie about who they are and information on the internet may not be true. Always check information with other websites, books or someone who knows. If you like chatting online it’s best to only chat to your real world friends and family

Tell your parent, carer or a trusted adult if someone or something makes you feel uncomfortable or worried, or if you or someone you know is being bullied online.