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Child predators offering game points in exchange for nude images through Internet-connected video games have prompted a warning for parents. "Kids are playing games, and they are being asked to take photos of themselves naked in order to get game points," state attorney Cybercrime Detective Lt. David Maurer said. "There is not only the chatting version of the games but also a webcam involved."

While many stakeholders are involved in developing policies on the use of Web 2.0 technologies in K-12 education, new research suggests that teachers are the most important group driving adoption. This is a major finding from a national research survey of more than 500 district technology directors. The survey was commissioned by Lightspeed Systems Inc., a leader in network security and management software for schools, and Thinkronize Inc., creators of netTrekker, America's number one educational search tool, with support from Atomic Learning.

Excellent overview of Web 2.0, what it is and how it works.

This is an excellent article that has been reposted. It includes a lot of the information that outlines WHAT web 2.0 is. This includes videos and many important hyperlinks. Excellent article for newcomers to web 2.0 to pick up on.

In his article, Thompson offers an exploration of the meaning and application of Web 2.0; evaluates how Net Generation students, who will enter the classroom with Web 2.0 expectations and experiences, will reshape institutions of higher education and their practices; and examines what some of these IHEs are specifically doing to meet the needs of the next generation of students. Thompson suggest that in order to move our educational practices forward, it is incumbent upon us to recognize and react to our changing student population.

A Practical Guide to Using Web2.0 Technologies to Recruit, Organize and Engage Youth.
Ben Rigby and Rock the Vote have put together a book for activists, politicos, and organizers called "Mobilizing Generation 2.0: A Practical Guide to Using Web 2.0." It is a how-to guide to help those who want to mobilize using the web, focusing on how organizers can leverage blogging, social network sites, photo/video sharing, mobile phones, wikis, maps and virtual worlds.

Presentation at the K-12HSN Conference Online by Joseph Bires. A discussion of how the use of Web 2.0 technologies has challenged and changed the concept of acceptable use. The presenter suggests ways to balance protecting students, teachers, and schools from the dangers of the Internet, while still integrating Web 2.0 technologies into the K-12 curriculum. Also, philosophical issues of acceptable use are discussed such as identity and transparency. Finally, practical suggestions are shared to help every teacher and administrator. This talk is available as an MP3 audio file and an audiofile blog.

CoSN Receives MacArthur Grant: Exploring Policy and Leadership Barriers to Effective Use of Web 2.0 in Schools
The $450,000 grant began July 1st and over the coming year CoSN will focus on the following key objectives:
1.Identify findings from existing empirical research relevant to the use of new media in schools and the barriers to their adoption and scalability.
2. Assess the awareness, understanding, and perspectives of U.S. educational leaders (superintendents, district curriculum and technology directors/CTOs) and policymaker's on the role, problems, and benefits of new media in schools within a participatory culture context.
3. Investigate and document the organizational and policy issues that are critical obstacles for the effective deployment of new media.
4. Develop a concise report of findings and construct an action plan for intervention.

Chances are your district's acceptable use policy is outdated. With the proliferation of Web 2.0 tools, multifunction cell phones and handheld computers, to name just three, it's obvious that keeping AUPs up to date requires constant attention.

Giving Students Ownership of Learning: Footprints in the Digital Age. In the Web 2.0 world, self-directed learners must be adept at building and sustaining networks.

Buy Amazon Seller Account Introduction An online service provided by Amazon.com called an Amazon seller account enables companies and private sellers to list their goods on the Amazon marketplace. There are two categories of Amazon seller accounts: Individual and Professional. Professional accounts have a closing cost of $39.99 per item but no monthly fee. The closure charge for individual accounts is $0.99 per item, and the monthly price is $0.99.

Introduction An online service provided by Amazon.com called an Amazon seller account enables companies and private sellers to list their goods on the Amazon marketplace. There are two categories of Amazon seller accounts: Individual and Professional. Professional accounts have a closing cost of $39.99 per item but no monthly fee. The closure charge for individual accounts is $0.99 per item, and the monthly price is $0.99.

Cybersafety in a Web 2.0 World: What Parents & Policymakers Need To Know [PDF]

Interview with the Honorable Melissa Bean, Larry Magid, Nancy Willard and Sharon Miller Cindrich.

Bumped in to this today -- would you belive in coincidences -- Parents as Partners at joined by Steve Hargadon tonight 14 April 9pm PDT (too late for GMT me) -- participate at chatroom http://edtechtalk.com/live -- to discuss web2.0 pedagogies in schools and best practices for educating parents -- I so wish I could stay up but will have to leave that for others (aka feedback request please) -- although thinking about it I might manage to get up early the following day (ouch).

An effective school-based strategy to address the issue of online safety should include these six key components:
EDUCATIONAL USE - Schools must ensure that when students use the Internet, their activities have an educational purpose -- class assignments, extra credit work, and perhaps some high quality enrichment activities as a reward
SUPERVISION AND MONITORING Schools must shift focus from reliance on filtering to better supervision and monitoring.
MEANINGFUL CONSEQUENCES Misuse of the Internet must lead to a meaningful consequence -- but it should be recognized that suspension of Internet access privileges just causes more work for teachers. Requiring a service contribution to the school and establishing "close monitoring status" for all Internet use are preferable consequences.
ACCIDENTAL ACCESS TO PORN - All students and staff must know that if inappropriate material appears, they should quickly turn off the monitor or turn it so it can't be seen, and then report it. Following any incident or discovery, there must be a responsible assessment of culpability.
INAPPROPRIATE BLOCKING Selected staff in every school building must have the authority and ability to quickly override the filter to provide other staff or students access to sites that have been inappropriately blocked
INTERNET SAFETY AND RESPONSIBLE USE EDUCATION Schools must provide effective Web 2.0 Internet safety and responsible use education to students and parents.

Online Safety 3.0 enables youth enrichment and empowerment. Its main components - new media literacy and digital citizenship - are both protective and enabling. Ideally from the moment they first use computers and cellphones, children are learning how to function mindfully, safely and effectively as individuals and community members, as consumers, producers, and stakeholders. The kind of online well-being we identify as "online safety" isn't logically something completely new and different added on to parenting and the school curriculum.