Professional Documents
Culture Documents
The job description of the classroom teacher changes almost as quickly as updates are on
mediators, psychologists, planners, creators, entertainers, quick thinkers, authors, baby sitters,
comedians, coaches, sponsors, furniture movers, advisers, and the list goes on. One of the most
important roles of teachers in the 21st century classroom is as protector. Teachers have always
provided protection for their students; that has been a natural and obvious role of anyone
working with children. However, as the internet has created instant access to information, it also
created access to inappropriate information. Todays classroom teacher must now provide
Students of today are tech-savvy and adept at using and learning new technology. They
have the newest versions of iPhones and Samsung devices. In most instances they are more
comfortable using these devices than their teachers. (Richardson 2010). It would be a mistake
however, for teachers to translate students technical skills to students understanding and
knowledge of web safety. Therefore, teachers must provide students with proper, relevant, and
useful information on how to navigate the web. Educators must make students aware of
preserving privacy and teach students to be critical analysts when researching or reading
websites. From the youngest to the oldest students in schools today, safety must be a major
component of instruction.
Teachers cannot assume that students know the appropriate use of technology and how to
use online information. As with any tool used in the classroom, from something as elementary as
a pencil to a laptop, it is the classroom teachers responsibility to educate the student about the
appropriate use of materials. Teachers must discuss this information as part of their classroom
procedures and rules. Among some of the most important tips for students are as follows:
messages or materials.
In addition to the guidelines for using technology, students must be educated about the
importance of internet safety; this must begin as early as kindergarten. One of the most important
things for teachers to remember is to monitor and supervise students at all times! Many schools
have installed teacher monitoring software to assist them in monitoring students online activity.
This software has been beneficial in keeping students on task when students are using school
computers. As for keeping students safe online when outside of the classroom, teachers must
educate students of the dangers of online predators, cyberbullying, and inappropriate material, to
name a few. A good acronym to remember when teaching this is YAPPY. I stress to students not
to share your full name, address, phone number, passwords or your plans and any other
personal information with anyone online. I also discuss with students the understanding and
importance of a protecting their digital footprint. I found many of the tips that I use on this site
listed below. I have linked it on my Schoology account for students to use and refer to
http://primarytech.global2.vic.edu.au/2012/10/12/10-internet-safety-tips-for-students/
Students and parents must be made aware of the potential dangers that exist online. The
following site has excellent information for teachers and parents in keeping children safe online.
It addresses common questions among various age groups. It provides parents with strategies and
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/privacy-and-internet-safety
To implement safety in the curriculum, many school systems have adopted uniform
policies in their handbooks that address the proper use of school technology. It is often a
requirement for parents and students alike to acknowledge the policies and agree to adherence of
those policies in writing. In the school where I am a teacher, we have printed those policies in the
first few pages of the students agenda books. During the first week of school, teachers include
the handbook and technology policies as part of their instruction. Parents and students are
required to document their knowledge of and adherence to the policies. This year, we have also
updated the district policies and included Bring Your Own Technology guidelines that address
the use and misuse of individual devices in the classroom. Each classroom has a visual
red/yellow/green light indicator to signal how and if BTOY technology is used at that given
time and is as follows: red - no technology used today, yellow - device out but not on, green -
device on and in use. Students are trained at the beginning of each class to look for the indicator
before using their personal technology. For instance, if a student is using their device on a
yellow indicator, they will lose their BYOT privilege for 30 days. To date, only 3 students out of
Our BYOT policies were created from the information our leadership, technology, and
student government teams obtained while visiting other schools that were allowing students to
use personal devices. The thought, planning, and implementation of these guidelines and
policies have been instrumental in a smooth transition to a BYOT school. Also, having these
policies printed in the student agenda books has freed the teacher from collecting 150 parent
signatures when using technology. Any student enrolling after the initial lessons on technology, is
individually instructed by the homeroom teacher about policies and also sent to a new student
meeting held once a month for those students. At the end of each year, our leadership team meets
Teachers today wear many hats; they are required to be many things to many people. The
same can also be said about our schools. Schools are required to support the development of
responsible citizenship in a democratic society and provide skills necessary to meet the demands
of the future. Students must also understand their roles in using technology and discerning
information from the World Wide Web. Proper training and use of technology is an authentic
skill, as is improper use of technology. With that, internet safety must a required and vitally
important element for any and all classrooms today and tomorrow.
Richardson, W. (2010) The Read/Write Web. In Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts and Other Powerful Web
Tools for the Classroom (3rd ed., pp. 11-16). Thousand Oaks: SAGE.