Guest Speaker

Highlights from our guest speaker, 3/30/2010

Archbishop is on youtube.

Issue Advocacy
Media operates 24/7 and moves on in minutes
ex. City Council declared Phila. A pro-choice city

Crisis communication:
Immediate
To community and parents
Website is a tool
Various stake holders – civic officials, neighbors, etc…

Communicate early and often

Google alerts-can find it on Google (Enter, then click on "more")

Pro-Active public relations
Promote the positive and not just the negative
Try to be proactive and not just reactive (before the news makes it public…)

More Internet Safety

One in four US teen girls reported that they met strangers off the Internet. One in seven boys admitted they did as well. While most of these “Internet friends” turn out to be another teen or preteen, that’s not always the case. Unfortunately, children are now dying at the hands of their Internet child molesters and, not all sexual exploitation of children occurs offline.

These child molesters are blackmailing the children into performing sexual acts in the comfort of their own homes, on web-cams. Yet, 100% of the children molested by Internet sexual predators went willingly to a meeting. They may have thought they were meeting a cute fourteen year old boy or girl, but they knew they didn’t know the person in real life.

This was a posting on Wiredsafety.org. This is just unimaginable! How do we teach internet safety in school with so called effective polices such as blocking or AUP's? Are our communities ready for this type of technological interface or has technology out-growing our sense of understanding? I feel that as a society we are far behind! http://www.wiredsafety.com/wiredlearning/

 

Cyber Bullies

Cyber-bullying has affected every student whether they are the victim, friend of the victim, or the bully. Latest assessments from a national survey taken by i-Safe America showed that more than 1500 students, ranging from fourth to eighth grade across the country show that:
•58% of kids admit someone has said mean or hurtful things to them online
•53% of kids admit having said something mean or hurtful things to another online
•42% of kids have been bullied while online

The tradition of home as a refuge from playground bullies is over. The Internet is the new playground, and there are no off hours. The popularity of instant messaging, e-mail, web-pages, and blogging means kids are a target 24/7.

i-SAFE America Inc.
5963 La Place Court Ste. 309 Carlsbad, CA 92008 Tel: (760) 603-7911 www.isafe.org

Chp 4-5 and SETDA

I think its vital to establish roles and responsibilities for the proper implementation and upkeep of technology. I went to the "setda" web site to look at their toolkit. The goal of this tool is to provide strategies and resources to "promote educational technology and it’s effectiveness for increasing student engagement."

SETDA believes that all people associated with technology have the opportunity to participate in 21st century society. Unfortunately, many users are not aware of the many uses of technology that can increase student learning and engagement. http://www.setda.org/web/guest/toolkits 

As quoted from SETDA:

* Learn more about the importance of student engagement
* Learn how technology engages 21st century students http://www.theedventuregroup.org/customized21stcenturytechnology.html
* Learn how to integrate Web 2.0 technology tools into the classroom
* Find professional development opportunities
* Learn more about the policy issues surrounding the use of Web 2.0 technology tools
* Learn what other states and districts are doing to engage students
* Learn how to share the benefits of using technology to enhance student engagement
http://www.echalk.com/impact/advocacy/setda/ 

Chapter 3

Administrators, and others, are very hesitant to implement technology. Based upon their age and aptitude towards technology, many administrators (and many others) steer away from this complex world of gigabytes and megabytes. As I read through chapter 3, I am overwhelmed by the many possible avenues to venture. Google docs or Zoho are just a couple of the sites I never knew existed, though I’m sure other have been using these sites for some time now.

I realize that even the “computer-phobes” use technology without realization. Our daily withdrawal from the ATM, the check-out line at the store, mobile technology such as cell phones and PDA’s, to name a few. Even I am comfortable with email as they are now a mainstay of my communication with others. If I am comfortable with various forms of technology that make me more productive, then, technology in my world is a success. Often I become overwhelmed with the magnitude of uses and tend to shut down. Change and modification then comes to a virtual halt. As chapter 3 states, “Simplify, don’t complicate.”

It would be nice if administrators who do get involved with technology support and nurture their staff. Technology is like learning a new language; be patient. Also, administrators must allow for a learning curve of sorts. When you learn a new language or topic it does take time before you can understand the “big picture.”