February 16,
2003
In the school district
where
I teach, students as well as their parents must sign a technology use
form.
Parents first must sign the form, which gives their children permission
to use
computers and the Internet. The children sign the form, which says they
will
not abuse their privileges by misusing the computer. I read this
agreement to
all students the first day of class so that they can sign it and then
pass it
on to their parents. It clearly states that any pornography or misuse of
the
computers will result in the loss of computer privileges for the year.
Because
of the importance of using computer in my class, I discuss pornography
with the
student the very first day we use computers. We discuss the positives of
the
Internet and why we use it. Then we discuss what can go wrong on the
Internet.
At least one student will raise their hand and say that “bad”
sites
come up when you are searching. We then discuss how to handle that. I
always
tell the kids if this happens minimize the screen and come straight to
the
teacher. We discuss why we shouldn’t tell others about it, because
it
could get everyone in trouble. The teacher then checks out the site and
turns
the URL over to the technology assistant. From that point the person in
charge
of technology has the site blocked through our filtering
system
I will be honest, I
never
really thought about those sites that keep popping up and taking control
of the
mouse. It has never happened to me before, so I never really thought
about it.
After reading the article by Art Wolinsky, I decided that I should
explain this
to my students. I went to school the next day and told my students about
this
situation. I wanted to hear their feedback. We then decided if this
happens we
should use the “emergency reset button” to turn the computer
off.
They were all instructed how to use that button.
Since I teach fifth
graders,
it is easy to discuss and have them understand what this topic is all
about.
Although it is a difficult issue, it can be dealt with properly. We have
come
across some inappropriate sites, and my students have all handled it
well!
Below is a paper that I will have hanging in my room by the
computers.
Emergency Action
Plan:
Accidental Access of a
Pornographic Web
Site
1. Do not panic. Remember what we discussed…things like this happen.
2.
Minimize the document and let the teacher know immediately.
3.
Don’t tell other students.
4. If the
computer
has control of your screen, use the “emergency reset button”
to
turn the computer off.
5.
If you had to turn the computer off, let the teacher know which site you
were
at and where you were going.
6.
Lastly, act like a mature fifth grader, and remember the technology
release
paper you signed. Use the computer wisely!