E-Safety+and+Fair+Use

=E-Safety and Fair Use=

[|Know It All] This is by far my favorite site. The e-safety curriculum is well-thought through and appealing to each age group. The videos use stories to stress how important e-safety is, and how students can be blinded to the dangers of the internet. Using this method draws students in and keeps their attention where instructing and warning can be dry and repetitive. This curriculum offers a huge selection, and I would use it whenever I am talking about a particular subject, such as social networking or copyright, to drive home my point.

[|Netsmartz for Educators] This is another great resource for educators and parents. Users need to sign up in order to access the materials, but there are many to choose from. Under the "Teens" heading, there is a section of real life stories, in which teens who have been victimized over the internet share their stories. Testimonies are far more powerful than the lectures of a teacher who hasn't experienced what he or she is referring to. I would definitely use the videos and other resources. I also love the tip sheets that can be printed for students, who can post them in their rooms or on their folders, etc.

[|Cybersmart Curriculum] This website is in partnership with Common Sense Media and provides truly thorough units on very specific topics. It is divided into elementary, middle, and secondary education. The lessons go much deeper than a mere list of things to do and not to do; they cover cultural aspects of internet safety. I would use these with high school students who want to explore these topics and develop a sense of internet integrity.

[|Teaching Copyright] This site seeks to give students accurate information about copyright laws and how they can be responsible creators and users of copyrighted materials. One of the goals of this curriculum is to explore the relationship between copyright law and innovation. It emphasizes balance. I would use this to help students sift through some of the myths they've heard so they can become solid in their understanding of copyright, etc. It is important that I encourage my students to be as creative as possible while still adhering to copyright laws.

[|Copyright Kids] This is a great site for understanding copyright laws. The quiz is extremely helpful in testing your understanding of copyright and fair use, and I would definitely use this with my students. The site also contains definitions and examples. Copyright is a fairly complex subject and this site breaks it down into understandable portions, written in layman's language.

[|I Safe] This is an excellent and comprehensive resource for educators. The goal of I Safe is to educate students to be safe and responsible with internet use. Users need to subscribe in order to access the materials. There is a lot to explore on this site, and I especially liked the X block--a place where students can "hang out, learn about cyber safety, and share experiences."

[|Center for Safe and Responsible Internet Use] The Center for Safe and Responsible Internet Use focuses mainly on preparing teachers to instruct their students on the issues of cyber safety and integrity. The information is research-based and covers all aspects of digital media safety and responsibility. There are some materials for students, but it is mainly a place for professional development for teachers. I would definitely use it as a starting point for my understanding of the issues. I also like Nancy Willard's philosophy; I have included an article she wrote on this page. I believe she is the founder of this organization, and her blog is linked to this site.

[|Nancy Willard article] This is a great, insightful article in which the author shares some provocative thoughts about empowering students to make good decisions on how to handle the internet. She contends that educators can't simply try to control the internet for the students, but they must go deeper so the students will learn how to control themselves.

[|Copyright Law]