Retro-Tech Journey of Yesteryear!

It was in the 1990’s and early 2000’s when I was a student in the Philippines. Crazy to think that that was more than two decades ago, and I still clearly remember that the technological landscape was no near to where it is today. Many schools did not have access to computers, and those that did often had older, bulky desktop computers. These machines were at a snail’s pace and didn’t have internet access, if you’re lucky enough, you get one through a dial-up connection. This required using a phone line attached to the wall. Which means you need to stay close to the phone that is in a spot that is highly visible. And you couldn’t be on the phone while using the internet because it just won’t work. These connections are so awful that it would take somewhere between 5-10 minutes to load a page. So, you need to make sure that the URL you are typing the first time is correct. Otherwise, you’ll have to redo it and will surely be waiting forever.

We also used floppy disks to store data on computers. It was really fun to have different colors of disks, and, oh you would need more than one because this storage tool has only so much memory to store information. I remember back in my high school days, ten students had to share one old computer. As a result, we were often grouped into larger teams to make better use of our time. If you’re still reading this, you’re probably thinking, ‘How in the world could this possibly happen?’ I understand your sentiment! It was quite bizarre to think that some of us, including myself, experienced this archaic era of technology. It seemed like computers and the internet were a luxury twenty-five years ago.

With such limited access to technology when I was in high school, cyber safety or digital citizenship wasn’t really a focus in schools. Computer classes mainly revolved around learning basic skills like typing and using simple software like word processors or spreadsheets. Our teachers never talked about things like online privacy or how to stay safe while browsing the internet because there wasn’t a concern at that time. Sometimes I wish that the digital world we’re in right now could be as simple as my experience in the 90s. It could save parents from worrying about their child who is inside the house but who can get into trouble at any time. The documentary Sextortion of Amanda Todd challenges our views on how we interact with other people online. I truly admire the bravery and willingness of her parents to share her story. This is absolutely an eye-opener that predators are always on the lookout for new victims. Being vigilant requires hard work, and we must all be willing to do it for our kids. Can we actually protect our kids from all the dangers of the online world? Mary Brooks-Kempler’s TED Talk gives us insights on how to stay safe online and is an invaluable resource that everyone can learn from.

My first social media account was on Friendster in 2008. Back then, having a social media account was a big deal. By the time Friendster became a trend, I had already finished my undergraduate degree. Did I know anything about cyber safety? Well, I knew one thing – not to talk to strangers. That principle helped me stay safe, but I didn’t receive any formal education about cyber safety or digital citizenship. Digital citizenship is a great deal and everyone, not only teachers need to take this seriously. Safety within the online community can be achieved through learning and putting those knowledge into good use for the benefit of everyone. Despite not having learned about cyber safety myself, as a prospective teacher, my goal is to provide my students with essential knowledge to navigate the online world safely. Here are some practical ways in a middle-years classroom to help students navigate the online world safely.

• Role-Playing Exercises: Organize role-playing activities where students practice handling various online situations, such as cyberbullying, identity theft attempts, or encountering inappropriate content.
• Digital Citizenship Curriculum: Integrate a comprehensive digital citizenship curriculum into your lessons, covering topics like online rights and responsibilities, digital footprint management, and cyberbullying prevention.
• Cyber Safety Challenges: Organize cyber safety challenges or competitions that encourage students to apply their knowledge and skills to solve practical online safety problems and scenarios.
• Digital Literacy Projects: Incorporate digital literacy projects into the curriculum that require students to research and create multimedia presentations or campaigns promoting cyber safety awareness among their peers.
• Family Engagement Events: Host family engagement events focused on cyber safety, where parents and guardians can learn about online risks and strategies for supporting their children in navigating the digital world safely.

By implementing these strategies tailored to the needs and interests of middle school students, I hope to effectively empower them to become responsible digital citizens and navigate the online world safely.

Here is another great and practical resource about being a good digital citizen from LearnFree.

 

In a time where fancy gadgets and new tech seem to rule the world, it’s nice to think back to the days when things were simpler. Back then, even though we didn’t have the coolest gadgets, life felt special in its own way. We weren’t constantly glued to screens or rushing around. Instead, we had real connections with people, and life moved at a more relaxed pace. Sure, today’s technology is super convenient, but there’s something special about those old-fashioned moments. Maybe it’s about finding a balance between the past and the present, where we can enjoy the benefits of modern tech while still cherishing those simpler times.

Check out some of these resources that we can utilize in our future classrooms! Let’s all be safe online while working towards leaving a positive digital footprint.

Be Internet Awesome

Bright Futures

Common Sense Education

Digital-Travellers

Learning for Justice