Group items tagged

"Companies have long used criminal background checks, credit reports and even searches on Google and LinkedIn to probe the previous lives of prospective employees. Now, some companies are requiring job candidates to also pass a social media background check."

"BASKING RIDGE, N.J., June 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless said today it is spotlighting Net Safety Tips On The Go, the first-ever digital safety and security advice app for Android(TM) smartphones as part of National Internet Safety Month. Now available in V CAST Apps, the app, developed by Google and Verizon together with premier online safety education organizations, provides critical online privacy, security and youth online safety educational messages to help Verizon Wireless customers protect their privacy, families and finances when using their Android smartphones. "

"Have you ever Googled yourself ? Have you ever checked your virtual identity? Do you know that you leave a digital footprint every time you get online? Do you know that whatever you do online is accumulated into a digital dossier traceable by others ? These and several other similar questions are but the emerging tip of the sinking iceberg.One that is packed full of concerns related to issues of our online identity and privacy issues."

Children will find a way! Evidence of Digital Fluency

Something else we need to consider when teaching digital citizenship.

There are a number of labels to describe the young people currently studying at school, college and university. They include the digital natives, the net generation, the Google generation or the millenials. All of these terms are being used to highlight the significance and importance of new technologies within the lives of young people (Gibbons, 2007). For some, new technologies have been such a defining feature in the lives of younger generations that they predict a fundamental change in the way young people communicate, socialise, create and learn. They argue that this shift has profound implications for education (e.g. Prensky, 2001a; Gibbons, 2007; Rainie, 2006 and Underwood, 2007). Typically, supporters of this concept view the differences between those who are or who are not digital natives as primarily about when a person was born. This paper will critique and show new evidence against this conception of the digital native as based purely on generational differences. The paper will separate the 'doing' from the 'being', that is it will propose a number of digital activities (doing) that indicate digital nativeness and then examine which types of people (being) are most likely to demonstrate these characteristics. The paper will show that breadth of use, experience, self-efficacy and education are just as, if not more, important than age in explaining how people become digital natives.

"Schoolchildren are at risk of having their online activity tracked and monitored for targeted advertising by internet firms through free cloud based education services. A survey has found that many parents do not know about data mining - the process of tracking email and web browsing habits in order to target advertising - but once they do they have grave concerns for their kids' online privacy, and believe schools need to do more to protect it. The survey commissioned by American IT industry group SafeGov asked 1000 Australian parents about their knowledge of data mining."

Teaching digital citizenship and keeping students in the classroom safe online (and off of course!) is a priority for teachers when using iPads, Google Apps, and other devices & websites in the classroom. While even the best laid digital citizenship plans can lay the foundation, teachers need to continue revisiting topics and guiding students all year.

"Hello, my name is Kara Lee and I am an Instructional Technology Facilitator. I received my Master's of Science in Instructional Technology from the University of North Carolina-Wilmington. I currently work in the NC Public Education School System. When talking to staff, parents, other employees and friends, their biggest concern is keeping up with technology and the language the new generation speaks! As adults, it is our job to educate ourselves on emerging technology so that we are always aware of things our children have access to and how they are using them. I hope this site will be helpful to you in becoming more aware of things parents of Digital Natives need to know to help keep their children safe in a Digital World! "

As part of our Connected Learning Community, we are highlighting the importance of balance, safety and responsible behavior online (generally called "Digital Citizenship") through a variety of events, lessons and activities.

"Teachers in Cherokee County Schools feel it is vitally important to teach children about the issues our digital world presents as we use technology in the classroom. But teachers cannot do it alone, parents can reinforce what students learn in school by practicing safe Internet use at home. These web resources will help you learn more about being a good digital citizen and how to keep children safe online."

Great guide!

Worry about information overload has become one of the drumbeats of our time. The world's books are being digitized, online magazines and newspapers and academic papers are steadily augmented by an endless stream of blog posts and Twitter feeds; and the gadgets to keep us participating in the digital deluge are more numerous and sophisticated. The total amount of information created on the world's electronic devices is expected to surpass the zettabyte mark this year (a barely conceivable 1 with 21 zeroes after it).

"Transliteracy is the ability to read, write and interact across a range of platforms, tools and media from signing and orality through handwriting, print, TV, radio and film, to digital social networks."

"Last week, I wrote about how the internet facilitates civic participation and encourages individuals to connect with each other. But what about those on the other side of the digital divide? Not everyone has access to the technologies that enable this new kind of participation. As Gov 2.0 becomes the norm, and digital citizenship becomes even more intertwined with "offline" citizenship, how will we ensure that everyone is included in the benefits of participatory governance - not just those already fortunate enough to have broadband access at home and the know-how to use it effectively?"