There are three considerations when addressing Internet safety with these students. First, the transfer of handling strangers in "real life" to those in virtual environments is not automatic. It needs to be taught. Second, while most "Stranger Danger" programs teach that strangers are scary, mean and want to hurt or abduct children, this contradicts the way collaboration occurs between strangers online. Not all strangers are dangerous. Lastly, in "real life," students can walk or run away from a potential threat. In an online environment, the danger is inside a student's home and hard to escape without the necessary skills for handling tough situations.
This is a lesson that I have done with my kindergarten and first grade students to introduce the idea that strangers exist on the Internet and to discuss how we should interact with them.
Tracy Watanabe on 21 Apr 12Great video capturing the power of 21st century learning and 1:1 in Kindergarten. -- They don't need the devices to be 21st century learners that's where the PBL comes in... The devices just makes it easier to connect beyond the four walls and create and learn from an authentic audience outside the classroom.
