Internet Safety

There are many approaches to protecting our students from the dangers on the Internet. Anyone who has ever used the Internet knows how easy it is to stumble across inappropriate sights. One way to protect our students from this is to be honest about the dangers with them. Let them know that the Internet is a great tool, but one that comes with dangers as well. Let them know that if they come across a site that they feel is inappropriate or that makes them feel uncomfortable, that they should close the window or go get an adult, be it a teacher or parent. Filters are a great tool but things have a way of creeping through.

We also need to educate our students about the dangers associated with chat rooms and related online tools (facebook, myspace, etc). Personal information such as addresses, phone numbers, pictures and financial information should never be placed online where multiple parties can see them. Students should also be wary and question the motives of people they meet online and who want to meet face to face. Dangerous people will often pose as youths and gain the trust of kids in order to coax them into meeting in real life. It is a sad reality and we need to make our students aware!

Pros and Cons of Discussion Boards

Some of the pros in regards to discussion boards are: They create a sense of community between the members of a thread, for people who have easy access to computers it serves as a convenient form of communication and it provides people who aren't comfortable expressing themselves face to face with the opportunity to do just that.
Some of the cons are: Not everyone has access to computers at all times and if being used as a classroom tool, it is easy for the discussion to get off topic.

5 ways that discussion boards could enhance the classroom are:
1) They extend the learning atmosphere of the classroom so that it reaches beyond the school.
2) Provides the shyer students with an opportunity to express themselves.
3) Repeated use of discussion boards will help students develop a sense of technological independence.
4) Useful links may be shared via the discussion threads.
5) If regularly checked, feedback to questions or concerns may be very quick.

Basic Needs of Humans and Animals

I would intergate this concept map into a second grade Science class. I would start by having the students outline 5 basic needs of humans and animals (food, water, oxygen, shelter and space) with examples of each. Using humans and 2 examples of local animals (owls and rabbits in this case), we would explore their specific needs while remembering that they branch out from the same 5 major needs. This concept map will help the students organize the material in a way that makes sense, and they will also recognize that humans and animals share the same basic needs.

The ICT outcome that corresponds with this lesson is:
C5 Students will use technology to aid collaboration during inquiry.