Month: June 2024 (Page 2 of 2)

In today’s digitally connected world, cyber safety has become an essential aspect of our daily lives. As we increasingly rely on the internet for communication, education, and entertainment, understanding how to stay safe online is crucial. Cyber safety encompasses a range of practices and measures designed to protect individuals from online threats and ensure a secure and safe digital experience. As we spend more time online, it’s essential to understand the various aspects of cyber safety to protect ourselves and others from potential online threats. Key areas of focus include privacy issues, cyberbullying, scams, and managing digital footprints that can follow you for life.

During my schooling, cyber safety was taught in a manner that frightened us into believing the internet was a dark and dangerous place. While the internet can indeed be harmful if misused, instilling fear was not an effective method. We were constantly warned, “we can see everything you’re looking at,” which was not a proper way to educate us about technology. This approach instilled fear among my peers and I without truly explaining the negative consequences of abusing technology. I believe the right way to teach young kids about technology is to clearly explain both the potential dangers and benefits of the internet. By providing honest and comprehensive information, we can better equip children to make informed decisions about internet safety. However, I also believe it is important for educators to have access to the same resources as their students in a respectful way to ensure appropriate use and to maintain a safe online presence.

Children and teenagers are particularly vulnerable to online threats. Educating them about the potential dangers and teaching them how to navigate the internet safely is crucial. This includes discussing the importance of not sharing personal information, recognizing inappropriate content, and knowing how to report issues.

The rapid evolution and rise of technology, as highlighted in our recent lecture and by Michael Wesch in his video, have profound implications for the future of education. This transformation presents both opportunities and challenges for educators, students, and the community the school is framed upon.  As an educator, reflecting on these changes is crucial for shaping an effective promising education for the children of tomorrow.

Michael Wesch emphasizes the shift towards participation that is facilitated by digital tools and social media platforms. In this new culture, individuals are not just passive consumers of information but active contributors and collaborators as anyone is able to start a page. This change has revolutionized the future and gave voice to those backgrounds that were never to heard and valued. For the classroom, this means that learning can become more interactive, collaborative, and student-focused by becoming personalized to meet each students needs.

Reflecting on the insights from the lecture and Wesch’s video, it is clear that the new culture of participation and the digital age of our world is chaining quickly.  By embracing the opportunities and addressing the challenges, we can create a more engaging, inclusive, and effective educational experience for all students. As educators, our role is to guide and support students in navigating this complex narrative, empowering students to become active, informed, and responsible participants in the digital age, that are responsible for their digital footprint.

Shazam is an app that I have known about forever but never really started to use it until recently. The most annoying thing is when you are out in public and someone starts playing a good song and you do not know it… you can either interrupt them and the song and ask them what it is called, wait and hope for  the best, or you can simply use Shazam! This is the quickest and easiest option, and would be a great use for music teachers in the classroom, as they can use it themselves and introduce their students to the app.

Shazam is an app you can download onto your phone for free, and use to identify the song playing in real life! Using the mics in the phone the phone is able to listen to the words/beat and rhythm of the song to identify it!

I can easily access Shazam in a hurry by pulling the control centre down on my iPhone, selecting the Shazam button and immediately it begins listening to the song around it. This is a great tool that adds convenience to your daily life as well as having the ability to easily identify a song as the tip of your finger tips