BY JOHN DECOSTE
Kings County Advertiser/Register
In an age of constantly changing technology, it’s more important than ever balance safety and access, says Valley school board coordinator of educational technology Ryan Hainstock.
Hainstock was invited by the West Kings PTSA to speak April 13 on student internet access and security in today’s school system and society. Between 25 to 30 people attended.
Noting the AVRSB was one of the first boards in the province to provide internet access in the classroom, Hainstock acknowledged, “the evolving role of the internet in society is changing the way we operate.”
He described cyber-bullying, in the news of late, as “one of the (many) challenges that come with technology.”
Monitoring student internet access “used to be fairly simple when we were what we called ‘Web 1.0’ and the internet was all one-way traffic.
“Now, we’re into what we call ‘Web 2.0’, a new generation of web services and applications with an increasing emphasis on human collaboration.
“It’s a lot more two-way now, and you don’t have to be an expert to have a presence on the web. Kids in elementary school can be involved in social networking, which gives us new challenges and new issues to deal with.”
The board’s challenge is, on the one hand, “to ensure our kids have the skills to cope in the 21st century,” while making sure the proper safeguards are in place.
“We need to make sure our students are prepared to deal with not only what’s out there, but also for what’s coming,” and by being “proactive rather than reactive.”
Cyber-bullying is a concern, but so is “the digital footprint that we all - and especially our children - are leaving. The internet and Web 2.0 have created a social network that has a much larger audience. We can block certain sites, but it’s only as good as what we can control.”
Whatever the school board does “has to be within our existing policies and our student code of conduct,” and it has to be accompanied by “education and awareness” and changes in practice.
Incidents of bullying, “whether they take place on the school grounds or on the computer, all fall under the school’s code of conduct,” and are all taken seriously at the school and board level.
“There are no boundaries anymore between school and home. Another of our challenges is how to address that.”
One of the most delicate balances is between the potential negatives associated with the internet, and its obvious advantages as an educational tool.
“Classrooms are changing,” he says. “We need to be teaching our students to be problem-solvers using technology. They’re going to need to be able to do even the simplest things” in order to cope in today’s world. At the same time, today’s young people must understand both “digital etiquette” and “digital law,” including “the consequences of things like cyber-bullying.
“The web is world-wide, and there’s a whole new accountability,” Hainstock says. “There are rights and responsibilities to be followed,” just as in any other facet of life.
More emphasis also has to be placed on “digital health and wellness” – and, especially, the physical and psychological consequences of spending too much time on the internet or social networking sites – and “digital security.”
As students, teachers, parents and school boards, “we need to address all these things. Cyber-bullying is serious, but it’s only one of many issues.”
Questions from the audience ranged from a parent’s concern “students just don’t realize just how public social media sites are” to at least one student who has experienced cyber-bullying first-hand.
Specific to cyber-bullying, Hainstock urged victims to “document all that is happening. Create copies of as much as you can. Keep addressing it, approach the school administration and, if it’s gone beyond plain bullying, the police may have to become involved.
“As parents and educators, we need to be informed so we can inform ourselves, and support our children and students. We also need to be aware that there can be ‘too much technology’ in our lives.
“We shouldn’t be afraid to encourage our children and students to do more things face-to-face.”
Useful internet literacy and safety sites
- EParenting: A series of tutorials from the Media Awareness Network for keeping up with your kids’ online activities, which includes an agreement you can personalize.
- GetNetWise: A good site with lots of information and practical tips in keeping students safe.
- Web Awareness: The Media Awareness Network’s web safety section. Great lessons and background information for teachers, interactive resources.
- Web License:Much like a driving license, a series of exercises to help students see how much they know about etiquette and safety.
- NetSmartz: A good site that uses stories to highlight the dangers that may exist on the Internet.
-StaySmartOnline :Guides for teachers and parents on internet safety for kids.
- KidzPrivacy: The American FTC site to promote web awareness and safety with kids.
Source: AVRSB
Jdecoste@kentvilleadvertiser.ca
