What does an "Internet Safety and Security" policy need to look like in your classroom?
Since the children we work with are chronologically three to five years old and functioning at least 25% below their age, their internet use is limited. The information below is to assist teachers with the Internet Safety and Security policy for use in their classrooms.
The sites the children will visit will not be for research purposes, but as another learning tool in the classroom. The teacher will have predetermined sites that the children can visit. These may change on a regular basis, such as when themes change. The sites will be age appropriate (for developmental age more than chronological age) and encourage the concepts/goals the children are working towards as indicated on their IEP goals. Links to such predetermined sites will be on the desktop (such as Sesame Street, Dr. Seuss, 4-H Virtual Farm and Bloople's Colors).
The children will indicate the desire to use the computer and which site to visit. The teacher will be responsible form making sure the child clicks on the link and gets to the appropriate website. So that the teacher can "keep an eye on things", the computer monitor needs to be visible to the classroom (not facing the wall). Since there is only one student computer in each room, the children will have equal amounts of time and opportunity to use the device. Children may work with a buddy to help each other and encourage collaboratation to determine the best answers.
Working on the computer should be a positive experience for the children and promote self motivated learning and/or learning with a peer(s). If something doesn't look correct to the child(ren), they should immediately notify an adult in the room. If the child gets away from the initial site, they should notify an adult in the room. If the child wants to change the site / activity, they should notify an adult in the room for assistance.
When the child is finished, s/he needs to close the program/site they have been visiting and notify an adult. The computer should be turned off at the end of the day.
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Do you think by the end of the year that they might be able to advance a little further and click on another link and be able to get back where they started?
ReplyDeleteI love the buddy idea! It would be a self-esteem booster for the children that are intimidated and nervous about working the computer. Working together to figure out answers is a great team-building/collaborative skill that should be introduced early as well.
ReplyDeleteYou could also use the buddy thing as a ask 3 before me. If the children are caught up and might have a question about something they could ask 3 before you. Just a thought.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea Kelly. I think that could be used it would help with the social skills, asking questions, along with counting to 3 ... so many concepts for preschoolers. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWorking with such young children is a real challenge. I suspect that there is a very small student to teacher ration so monitoring the children's activities might be a bit easier. The goal however is to make students independent inquisitive learners, so to the extent possible you increase what they can do in very small steps to move them forward in their learning. I do like the idea of having a "buddy" or small group as in the "ask 3 b3fore me" that Kelly suggested. It does develop more independence in children.
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