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Trying to prepare students for their future without Web 2.0 technologies in school ~ is like trying to teach a child to swim without a swimming pool! “(S)chools (must) find ways to incorporate educational social-technology tools in the classroom to enhance learning and provide pre-K-12 educators with an opportunity to, in the process of teaching regular subjects, teach the constructive, mindful use of social media enabled by digital citizenship and new-media-literacy training—using the media and technologies familiar and compelling to students,” is one conclusion of the Online Safety and Technology Working Group, a multidisciplinary group coordinated through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. <http://www.ntia.doc.gov/advisory/onlinesafety/> However, despite the recognized benefits, expanding the use of the Internet and interactive technologies in schools can be challenging. Among the challenges: Fear can get in the way. A recent study by the Federal Communications Commission on broadband adoption found that 24% of people with broadband access and 46% of those without strongly agree that the Internet is too dangerous for children. Filtering is preventing effective use. National Educational Technology Plan and a report by Project Tomorrow both note that the failure to be able to access relevant instructional sites due to overblocking by school filters is significantly interfering with the effective use of the Internet. Teens and adults can bypass the school filter to access desired sites - and filtering is an effective tool to manage the use of interactive technologies. New approaches to limit student and staff misuse are needed. With access to online information comes the potential to access inaccurate information. In schools today, teachers rely on the accuracy of textbooks. The responsibilities of school librarians must be expanded. Information literacy is an essential skill. When students and staff interact and publish online this will raise concerns including protecting student privacy, free speech, and copyright and fair use. I am pleased to announce the publication of a downloadable book entitled Cyber-Secure Schools in a Web 2.0 World. This book focuses on three critical issues for schools: Creating Change in Technology Adoption. Effective Internet Use Management. Web 2.0 in Schools Legal Issues. Cyber-Secure Schools in a Web 2.0 World also contains extensive templates for District Internet Use Policies, Regulations, and a Student Agreement that incorporate the provisions necessary to address the challenges of managing Web 2.0 interactive technologies in schools and to allow the educational and professional use of these technologies to flourish. This book essentially puts together much of what I have been working on since the early 90's. I published a document in 1995 on legal and ethical issues related to K-12 Internet use policies. In the late 90's and early 2000's I was expressing concerns about the overreliance that schools were placing on filtering. At this point in time, filtering is not effectively preventing student access, is preventing access to appropriate material, and will not be effective in managing use of interactive technologies. But there are concerns that must be addressed through more effective approaches. This book is all about how to ensure that the risks are effectively addressed with a strong focus on accountability. I hope you will check it out. Nancy -- Nancy Willard, M.S., J.D. Center for Safe and Responsible Internet Use http://csriu.org nwillard@csriu.org Resources for Cyber Savvy Schools: Cyber-Secure Schools in a Web 2.0 World Cyberbullying, Cyberthreats & Sexting Cyber Savvy Teachers: Internet Safety Education --- Edtech Archives, posting guidelines and other information are at: http://www.h-net.msu.edu/~edweb Please include your name, email address, and school or professional affiliation in each posting. To unsubscribe send the following command to: LISTSERV@H-NET.MSU.EDU SIGNOFF EDTECH
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