If you aren’t familiar with the Tech with Kids website, you might want to think about taking some time to look it over. They recently updated four lists – Apps for Traveling with Kids, Best Apps for Toddlers, Photo Fun with Kid Apps and Best Bedtime Story Apps- all great starting places for getting the youngest technology users geared up to use technology wisely.
If you aren’t familiar with the Tech with Kids website, you might want to think about taking some time to look it over. They recently updated four lists – Apps for Traveling with Kids, Best Apps for Toddlers, Photo Fun with Kid Apps and Best Bedtime Story Apps- all great starting places for getting the youngest technology users geared up to use technology wisely.
Research on texting between teachers and students shows that it can drive student engagement and deliver positive results, according to Scott Hamm, director of online education at Hardin-Simmons University. While most of the research was done on college level students, Hamm suggests the merging of texting with other classroom communications is a no brainer for younger students as well, as texting is the primary communication medium of 14- to 18-year-olds.
It is an interesting idea, but privacy concerns and opportunities for the misuse of this kind of communication, including inappropriate contact, are monumental. The job of being a teacher under these kinds of circumstances would also be incredibly time consuming. For parents, it is certainly something to be aware of as technology continues to roll out.
Research on texting between teachers and students shows that it can drive student engagement and deliver positive results, according to Scott Hamm, director of online education at Hardin-Simmons University. While most of the research was done on college level students, Hamm suggests the merging of texting with other classroom communications is a no brainer for younger students as well, as texting is the primary communication medium of 14- to 18-year-olds.
It is an interesting idea, but privacy concerns and opportunities for the misuse of this kind of communication, including inappropriate contact, are monumental. The job of being a teacher under these kinds of circumstances would also be incredibly time consuming. For parents, it is certainly something to be aware of as technology continues to roll out.
A national debate is breaking out about testing companies associated with Common Core State Standards exams that are monitoring - or contracting other firms to monitor - social media websites such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for sharing of test information and questions. The debate started when a blogger wrote about an incident in New Jersey where a school superintendent was contacted by Pearson, one of the testing companies, and asked to discipline a student for photographing a test item – an allegation that turned out to be incorrect. This incident opened the eyes of many to the fact that the testing companies are monitoring students over the Internet. One of the biggest issues with the test is that there is a 12 week window in which the tests are taken, so as one advisor to the testing companies put it “there's a real concern that someone taking the test early in the window will see questions, problems, graphs, and charts and share them with students across the country.”
While it is understandable for the testing companies to want to protect their assessments, some privacy experts feel these companies are overreaching by monitoring social media to see what students are sharing. Such monitoring is "a violation of students' trust and privacy," and is likely to chill free speech, says Khaliah Barnes, a lawyer for the Electronic Privacy Information Center, a Washington-based advocacy group. Pearson argues that the social media pages are public and available to anyone browsing the internet, so there is no violation of privacy. Either way, the issue is complex but students should understand that what they post online about tests, even if they are innocuous comments, may have consequences.
A national debate is breaking out about testing companies associated with Common Core State Standards exams that are monitoring - or contracting other firms to monitor - social media websites such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for sharing of test information and questions. The debate started when a blogger wrote about an incident in New Jersey where a school superintendent was contacted by Pearson, one of the testing companies, and asked to discipline a student for photographing a test item – an allegation that turned out to be incorrect. This incident opened the eyes of many to the fact that the testing companies are monitoring students over the Internet. One of the biggest issues with the test is that there is a 12 week window in which the tests are taken, so as one advisor to the testing companies put it “there's a real concern that someone taking the test early in the window will see questions, problems, graphs, and charts and share them with students across the country.”
While it is understandable for the testing companies to want to protect their assessments, some privacy experts feel these companies are overreaching by monitoring social media to see what students are sharing. Such monitoring is "a violation of students' trust and privacy," and is likely to chill free speech, says Khaliah Barnes, a lawyer for the Electronic Privacy Information Center, a Washington-based advocacy group. Pearson argues that the social media pages are public and available to anyone browsing the internet, so there is no violation of privacy. Either way, the issue is complex but students should understand that what they post online about tests, even if they are innocuous comments, may have consequences.
Group texting is a convenient way to have a conversation with multiple people at once, but what happens when you or a friend accidently includes the person who is the “topic” of conversation in a group text? What can you do? Being careful about preventing this from happening is obviously the first step. It is always important to check who is included on any text, tweet, post, or email before you hit the “send” button- the same way you should check for misspellings and tone. The truth is, though, that sometimes something cringe worthy will slip away from us despite being careful about proofing, especially when autofill features take over. When this does happen, Steven Petrow suggests in his digital etiquette blog that the best policy is usually to own up to it immediately. Apologizing should also be done personally – not by text – in person or on the phone. Although many times this is more easily said than done, it is good to have a strategy in mind before it happens to you.
Group texting is a convenient way to have a conversation with multiple people at once, but what happens when you or a friend accidently includes the person who is the “topic” of conversation in a group text? What can you do? Being careful about preventing this from happening is obviously the first step. It is always important to check who is included on any text, tweet, post, or email before you hit the “send” button- the same way you should check for misspellings and tone. The truth is, though, that sometimes something cringe worthy will slip away from us despite being careful about proofing, especially when autofill features take over. When this does happen, Steven Petrow suggests in his digital etiquette blog that the best policy is usually to own up to it immediately. Apologizing should also be done personally – not by text – in person or on the phone. Although many times this is more easily said than done, it is good to have a strategy in mind before it happens to you.
Have you noticed when are using the Internet on your phone that the same ads follow you from site to site? It is possible to turn that tracking off. On the iPhone, go to Settings > Privacy and scroll down to Advertising. Turn "Limit ad tracking" to On (you want to see green). In Android, go to your Google Settings app (not your usual Android settings) and tap the Ads link. Then tap "Opt out of interest-based ads". For more on both platform phones and others see: How To Limit Spying on Your Phone Habits.
Have you noticed when are using the Internet on your phone that the same ads follow you from site to site? It is possible to turn that tracking off. On the iPhone, go to Settings > Privacy and scroll down to Advertising. Turn "Limit ad tracking" to On (you want to see green). In Android, go to your Google Settings app (not your usual Android settings) and tap the Ads link. Then tap "Opt out of interest-based ads". For more on both platform phones and others see: How To Limit Spying on Your Phone Habits.
When digital learning apps are marketed directly to teachers, sometimes even as freebies, there can be unintended consequences. While novel educational apps that record and analyze students’ online activities to personalize their lessons can spur student engagement, these new tools also let the digital education service collect students’ information. There is no way to track how they are using this information or if they are reporting to the school what is being collected. This kind of issue falls under the purview of district chief technology officers and they are under fire to come up with a solution. Although having the flexibility to try the latest technology gives teachers tools to help them differentiate learning as well as keep it current and engaging, it also means that districts have to adopt some kind of standard for how apps are vetted and used. It is a tricky line to walk, but hopefully bureaucracy will not trump innovation.
When digital learning apps are marketed directly to teachers, sometimes even as freebies, there can be unintended consequences. While novel educational apps that record and analyze students’ online activities to personalize their lessons can spur student engagement, these new tools also let the digital education service collect students’ information. There is no way to track how they are using this information or if they are reporting to the school what is being collected. This kind of issue falls under the purview of district chief technology officers and they are under fire to come up with a solution. Although having the flexibility to try the latest technology gives teachers tools to help them differentiate learning as well as keep it current and engaging, it also means that districts have to adopt some kind of standard for how apps are vetted and used. It is a tricky line to walk, but hopefully bureaucracy will not trump innovation.
As schools and universities begin outsourcing more of their record keeping tasks, interest in student privacy continues to grow. A Student Digital Privacy and Parental Rights Act bill draft is now being circulated in Congress and many groups including Common Sense Media have spoken out positively about it. Other privacy advocates, though, say that it does not go far enough in putting restrictions on companies that deal with student data. Their concerns center on security, including how long data can be stored, who can access it, and who will be informed when there is a data breach. They also worry about commercialization of the information, but it is the child’s reputation that concerns them the most. Information stored about a child including mistakes, learning and disciplinary issues, quirky teacher comments, and more mean that a student’s “permanent record” at school could go on to haunt them in some way for the rest of their educational careers. It is feared that student data could start to wield reputational power similar to what a bad credit record does for adults: It could limit a person’s ability to get a job, not just access to credit. As one critic put it, “There are harms that can happen regardless of intent."
As schools and universities begin outsourcing more of their record keeping tasks, interest in student privacy continues to grow. A Student Digital Privacy and Parental Rights Act bill draft is now being circulated in Congress and many groups including Common Sense Media have spoken out positively about it. Other privacy advocates, though, say that it does not go far enough in putting restrictions on companies that deal with student data. Their concerns center on security, including how long data can be stored, who can access it, and who will be informed when there is a data breach. They also worry about commercialization of the information, but it is the child’s reputation that concerns them the most. Information stored about a child including mistakes, learning and disciplinary issues, quirky teacher comments, and more mean that a student’s “permanent record” at school could go on to haunt them in some way for the rest of their educational careers. It is feared that student data could start to wield reputational power similar to what a bad credit record does for adults: It could limit a person’s ability to get a job, not just access to credit. As one critic put it, “There are harms that can happen regardless of intent."
A new texting hotline will help teenagers get help dealing with mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. The program, launched by NYC Teen, will be piloted at 10 high schools in New York City. Students can text "NYC Teen" to 65173 to receive "prompt, confidential information and emotional support on issues ranging from feeling sad or hopeless, to depression," according to a press release from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The program will be available Monday through Friday from 2:30 to 9 p.m., and on weekends from 1 to 9 p.m. A 2013 Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that 27 percent of public high school students reported feeling sad or hopeless almost every day for two or more weeks—and only 18 percent received help from a counselor. This program’s goal is to provide an easier way for kids to ask for help.
A new texting hotline will help teenagers get help dealing with mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. The program, launched by NYC Teen, will be piloted at 10 high schools in New York City. Students can text "NYC Teen" to 65173 to receive "prompt, confidential information and emotional support on issues ranging from feeling sad or hopeless, to depression," according to a press release from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The program will be available Monday through Friday from 2:30 to 9 p.m., and on weekends from 1 to 9 p.m. A 2013 Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that 27 percent of public high school students reported feeling sad or hopeless almost every day for two or more weeks—and only 18 percent received help from a counselor. This program’s goal is to provide an easier way for kids to ask for help.
A new Pew Research report on how developing countries view the Internet reveals that many people in those regions think the Internet has a positive influence on education and a negative influence on morality. Pew interviewed more than 36,000 people in 32 emerging and developing countries for the study and asked questions about their individual Internet and cellphone usage. The study found that people who speak English are more likely to use the Internet. Internet usage is also higher among the well educated and young people ages 18 to 34. Across the 32 countries surveyed, a median of 38% said they have a working computer in their homes, ranging from a high of 78% in Russia to 3% in Uganda. In comparison, 80% of U.S. adults have a household computer. While none of this is very surprising, the morality issue will certainly influence Internet censorship in the coming years.
A new Pew Research report on how developing countries view the Internet reveals that many people in those regions think the Internet has a positive influence on education and a negative influence on morality. Pew interviewed more than 36,000 people in 32 emerging and developing countries for the study and asked questions about their individual Internet and cellphone usage. The study found that people who speak English are more likely to use the Internet. Internet usage is also higher among the well educated and young people ages 18 to 34. Across the 32 countries surveyed, a median of 38% said they have a working computer in their homes, ranging from a high of 78% in Russia to 3% in Uganda. In comparison, 80% of U.S. adults have a household computer. While none of this is very surprising, the morality issue will certainly influence Internet censorship in the coming years.
If you have a child with special needs and have had difficulties working with their school on providing accessibility to technology, you may be interested in this article about a recent initiative by Temple University. The Philadelphia-based school questioned what is meant by accessibility on campus and started an Accessible Technology Initiative to establish guidelines throughout every college and department in the school. Many colleges have disability resource centers, but as groups who represent the disabled continue to point out through lawsuits, that is not enough. Temple started to look at what they could do to ramp up the accessibility efforts across campus and in the classroom. Most importantly, Temple has recognized that accessibility is an ongoing process – not something you “solve” and walk away from. Just as the technology is constantly changing, so is the population an institution needs to serve.
If you have a child with special needs and have had difficulties working with their school on providing accessibility to technology, you may be interested in this article about a recent initiative by Temple University. The Philadelphia-based school questioned what is meant by accessibility on campus and started an Accessible Technology Initiative to establish guidelines throughout every college and department in the school. Many colleges have disability resource centers, but as groups who represent the disabled continue to point out through lawsuits, that is not enough. Temple started to look at what they could do to ramp up the accessibility efforts across campus and in the classroom. Most importantly, Temple has recognized that accessibility is an ongoing process – not something you “solve” and walk away from. Just as the technology is constantly changing, so is the population an institution needs to serve.