Cyber+Safety+Webpage

**Cyber Safety Webpage **

Southern Lehigh School District’s [|AUP] has guidelines on Internet responsibility (p. 7), prohibitions (p. 11), blogging, safety, and privacy (p. 19). The Educational Technology Report stated that cyber safety training occurs for students, educators, and parents in the middle school (SLSD, 2011, pp. 10, 34, & 40). This year on February 13, 2012, the School District reviewed their policies on [|//cyberbullying//].

According to the //Child Internet Protection Act// //of 2001// (CIPA), in order for schools and libraries to be eligible to receive discounts for telecommunications, Internet access, and connection services ( i.e. E-rate discounts) they must verify that they have implemented Internet safety policies, have Internet filtering measures in place, and monitor online activities of students. These measures provide protection to both children and adults from digital images that are obscene, display child pornography, and are harmful to minors (FCC, 2011).
 * Legal Reasons for Cyber Safety **

The //Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act// //in 2008// advanced Internet Safety in schools. Schools must certify they are educating students “about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms, and cyberbullying awareness and response” (FCC, 2011, p. 3).

Up to this point, s chools have been encouraged to update their Internet safety policies and procedures. According to the Federal Communications Commission (2011), on July 1, 2012  when the 2012 funding year begins, Internet safety policies and procedures must be in place in accordance to the Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act of 2008 . The mandate did not define social networking and cyberbullying nor did it detail how schools will educate appropriate online behavior; this is left up to each school district’s discretion (p. 4).

An important safety topic is cyberbullying. In 2010, the Pew Report provided a research-based [|slide presentation.]  Here are some vital facts from their slide show. Focus especially on the 26% of students that have been bullied or harassed and the 15% that have received sext. In addition, among the nearly one thousand two hundred 11 – 16 year olds surveyed, 3% were bullied daily, 3% were bullied on to two times a week, and 5% were bullied one to twice a month. Schools can teach cyber safety by utilizing web-based lessons from websites like <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">[|Common Sense Media] <span style="color: #010101; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> and <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">[|iSAFE] <span style="color: #010101; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">.
 * <span style="color: #010101; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Cyberbullying **

<span style="color: #010101; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">(Lenhart, 2010, slide 11)

<span style="color: #010101; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">(Lenhart, 2010, slide 13)



<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Common Sense Media’s website dedicated to Internet and cyber safety.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Common Sense Media offers 25 //free// lessons on [|digital citizenship] that begins with grade 2 and continues through senior high. The lessons cover topics on responsibility, respect, reality, and safety.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Digital Citizenship **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Common Sense Media <span style="color: #010101; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> offers //free// lessons on Internet safety. Locate the <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">[|Educators] <span style="color: #010101; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">’ tab, to get “Get Started.” Educators may select from among many lessons geared towards grades K – 12. Some of the topics covered are cellphones and digital communication; online bullying and cyber relationships; digital creation, plagiarism, and piracy; online privacy and security; social networking and community; and more. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Common Sense Mediaalso offers a free educational cyberbullying toolkit called [|Standing up, Not Standing By].
 * <span style="color: #010101; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Internet Safety Lessons **

<span style="color: #010101; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Common Sense Media offers <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">[|Professional Development] <span style="color: #010101; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> resources. Educators can get training <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">on Digital Literacy and Citizenship. Just choose your grade level and what topic you plan to teach and learn on your own time. <span style="color: #010101; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Most importantly, these lessons are aligned to Common Core English Language Arts (ELA), American Association of School Librarians, and International Society for Technology Education (ISTE). At the conclusion of each lesson, it indicates to which Common Core standards it aligns. For an overview of these standards, go to <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">[|Alignment and Standards] <span style="color: #010101; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">. <span style="color: #010101; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Common Sense Media offers cyber safety <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">[|webinars] <span style="color: #010101; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">. Teachers can view new ones or check their archives. Webinars are presented on Blackboard collaborate.
 * <span style="color: #010101; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Staff Development **

<span style="color: #010101; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Common Sense Media offers educational materials for parents. Parents can use a Tip Sheet titled <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">[|Common Sense on Internet Safety for Elementary School Kids] and review Internet safety with their children. Under the [|Review & Advice] tab, parents can find ratings for movies, apps, games, websites, books, and music.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Parents **

<span style="color: #010101; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">iSAFE is another website for Internet and cyber safety. It provides resources for teachers, students, parents, and administrators about Web 2.0 technology, personal safety, cyber community issues, cyber predator identification, cyber security, intellectual property, and effective outreach to peers, parents, and community.

<span style="color: #010101; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Educators can //subscribe// to differentiated <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">lesson plans for multiple learning needs in K – 12; these align to state and federal standards. Here is an overview of the [|lessons]. These are available online for those with Internet access or offline for those without it. Educators can purchase [|Gold, Silver, or E-Rate plans]. The E-Rate plan has about 100 lessons that cover topics on cyber bullying, social networking, and personal safety as specified in the 21st Century Act of 2008. The Silver plan offers over 200 lesson plans and 3 webcast video lessons. The Gold plan includes both E-Rate and Silver lesson plans.
 * <span style="color: #010101; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Lesson Plans **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Teachers can //purchase// assessments at the National Assessment Center (NAC) to assess students before and after lessons to see if concepts have been grasped. These assessments provide “ <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">NAC data and performance metrics [that] can be used by individual schools, school districts and statewide education departments/boards to validate their compliance with legislation mandating e-Safety professional development training for teachers and/or Internet safety education for students” (National Assessment Center, 2012).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Assessments **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">i-SAFE provides //free// learning modules for teachers to learn about their services. You can access these at their [|website]. To keep track of what lessons educators have completed, a “My Info” page is accessible from the upper right hand corner.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Staff Training **


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Free iTunes Apps **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> **for Internet Safety**

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> 1. [|Professor Garfield Cyberbullying]by Paws Incorporated

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Current customer ratings: 4.5 stars

2. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">[|Professor Garfield Online Safety]by Paws Incorporated

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Current customer ratings: 4.0 stars


 * <span style="color: #010101; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Internet Safety Tips **
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">To create [|**strong password**]**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">: **

> 2. Once you make a password, **check the** [|**strength of a password**]<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 18.6667px;">. > <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">3. **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Think, **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> what is **safe** to post on the Web: [|ReadWriteThink] offers [|Online Profile Tips]. > 4. **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Protect your Identity: **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">[|Ten Twitter Safety Tips to Protect Your Account and Identity]
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">use symbols such as @#$%^&
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">use at least 8 numbers, letters, and symbols
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">do not use common words or numbers such as 123, password, birth date, login name and any words from the dictionary
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">use capitalization and small letters (howtomake.com, 2008)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Watch [|Alicia’s story] of being lured by an online pedophile. ** Warning, ** <span style="color: #010101; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">this video is geared toward older children, at least middle school age or older. media type="youtube" key="hR0bXZrIErE" height="403" width="591" align="center"
 * <span style="color: #010101; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">True Story **

<span style="color: #010101; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">To view a judiciary hearing of Alicia <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Kozakiewicz’s <span style="color: #010101; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> testimony to bring about legislation against Internet predators, go to <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">[|Aliciaproject.com]

**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Reflections **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">This activity fulfills the requirements for
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">I.B. Integrating technology into curricular planning and instructional design including: **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Learner characteristics, developmental levels, and individual differences as related to instructional technology resources and modifications
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Electronic mail and Internet resources for communications and instructional support
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">III.D. Communicating effectively with parents/guardians, other agencies and the community at large to support learning by all students. **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The activity was to “create a webpage on the SLSD site to serve as a portal for Cyber safety related information.” The activity fulfills the PDE requirement for integrating technology into curricular planning for differentiated learning, Internet resources for communication (I.B.), supporting learning and communicating effectively with parents/guardians, students, and teachers about cyber safety (III.D.).

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> To prepare for this activity, I researched numerous sites for information about cyber safety. I ended up focusing primarily on two, Common Sense Media and iSAFE. The first, Common Sense Media, offers all of its materials //free// to educators, students, and parents; the materials are aligned to Common Core and state standards. The second, iSAFE can be //purchased// and provides lessons according to a school or district’s needs. Both appear to be very thorough. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Safe Internet use on school property or events is the responsibility of all educators and administrators. To fulfill this accountability and their Educational Technology goals, SLSD needs to systematically teach Internet safety and digital citizenship.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">I was already quite familiar with iSAFE, but was gratified to learn about Common Sense Media as a quality free site aligned to ISTE’s standards and Common Core Standards. I also had not known that by <span style="color: #010101; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">July 1, 2012 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> the Federal Communications Commission (2011) has put tighter guidelines on ensuring Internet safety policies and procedures are in place.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">I began an **app** and **tip list** for the Internet Safety webpage; these lists can be added to as needed. The apps might prove especially useful as new ones are created for iTunes and can be utilized by school districts.

**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">References **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Common Sense Media. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.commonsensemedia.org/

<span style="color: #010101; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Federal Communications Commissions. (2011). //FCC 11-125//. Retrieved from <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;"> http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/db0819/FCC-11-125A1.pdf

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">i-SAFE. (2012). //National Assessment Center//. Retrieved from <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">http://www.isafe.org/about/nac = = Lenhart, A. (2010). //Cyberbullying: What the research is the telling us//. Retrieved from http://www.slideshare.net/PewInternet/cyberbullying-2010-what-the-research-tells-us-4009451

makeuseof.com. (2008). [|//How to create strong passwords that you can remember easily//]. Retrieved from http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-create-strong-password-that-you-can-remember-easily/

Southern Lehigh School District. (2011). //Educational technology report//. Retrieved from slsd.org