AITSL: Standard 4.5 - Use ICT Safely, Responsibly and Ethically
Prompt Response: “Demonstrate an understanding of the safe, responsible and ethical use of ICT for learning and teaching.”
Using ICT in the classroom enables teachers and students to be able to access and share an unfathomably large amount of information on essentially any topic. The online connectivity that the internet enables us to engage in presents many fantastic educational opportunities, however, being connected online is not free of risks. Risks can include; cyber-bullying, scams, viruses and malware, sexually explicit content, identity theft, privacy and copyright violation and other various criminal activities that can be extremely damaging to an individual’s reputation and personal life. It is part of the role of being an educator to be aware of, and understand the many risks associated with using ICT and online content in an educational setting. Safely, responsibly and ethically incorporating ICT into a classroom environment means that a teacher must take necessary measures to protect students from risky online activity. A teacher may undertake preventative measures such as educating students on the dangers of ICT by discussing potential outcomes of sharing personal information, engaging in online ‘chat’, not using virus protection, or posting and accessing inappropriate photographs, videos or text. A teacher can also ensure that they do not expose students to any inappropriate or damaging content by using content blocking software, strong anti-virus software, and always ensuring before class that any online content to be shown and accessed in class is appropriate and risk-free for students. Another key area of ethical use of ICT is having an understanding intellectual property and copyright laws. It is important for teachers and students to be aware of the rules and processes surrounding the use of material and content created by other individuals. Teachers and students must undertake necessary measures to ensure that when using someone else’s work, they do not violate copyright and intellectual property law. Use of another person’s work must be properly referenced.
A useful, government website for educating both teachers and students about online safety and ethical use of ICT is www.cybersmart.gov.au. Here, teachers, students and parents can access a comprehensive range of information regarding the risks of the online world and how to deal with potential issues that may arise. Students can evaluate their cyber-safety skills and knowledge by engaging in interactive games featured on the website.
References:
Australian government. (2015). What Is Cybersmart?: Program Principles. Retrieved 12 May, 2015, from http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/About%20Cybersmart/What%20is%20Cybersmart/Program%20principles.aspx
Nsw department of education and communities. (2014). The Code of Conduct. Retrieved 12 May, 2015, from http://www.teach.nsw.edu.au/documents/code_guide.pdf
Prompt Response: “Demonstrate an understanding of the safe, responsible and ethical use of ICT for learning and teaching.”
Using ICT in the classroom enables teachers and students to be able to access and share an unfathomably large amount of information on essentially any topic. The online connectivity that the internet enables us to engage in presents many fantastic educational opportunities, however, being connected online is not free of risks. Risks can include; cyber-bullying, scams, viruses and malware, sexually explicit content, identity theft, privacy and copyright violation and other various criminal activities that can be extremely damaging to an individual’s reputation and personal life. It is part of the role of being an educator to be aware of, and understand the many risks associated with using ICT and online content in an educational setting. Safely, responsibly and ethically incorporating ICT into a classroom environment means that a teacher must take necessary measures to protect students from risky online activity. A teacher may undertake preventative measures such as educating students on the dangers of ICT by discussing potential outcomes of sharing personal information, engaging in online ‘chat’, not using virus protection, or posting and accessing inappropriate photographs, videos or text. A teacher can also ensure that they do not expose students to any inappropriate or damaging content by using content blocking software, strong anti-virus software, and always ensuring before class that any online content to be shown and accessed in class is appropriate and risk-free for students. Another key area of ethical use of ICT is having an understanding intellectual property and copyright laws. It is important for teachers and students to be aware of the rules and processes surrounding the use of material and content created by other individuals. Teachers and students must undertake necessary measures to ensure that when using someone else’s work, they do not violate copyright and intellectual property law. Use of another person’s work must be properly referenced.
A useful, government website for educating both teachers and students about online safety and ethical use of ICT is www.cybersmart.gov.au. Here, teachers, students and parents can access a comprehensive range of information regarding the risks of the online world and how to deal with potential issues that may arise. Students can evaluate their cyber-safety skills and knowledge by engaging in interactive games featured on the website.
References:
Australian government. (2015). What Is Cybersmart?: Program Principles. Retrieved 12 May, 2015, from http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/About%20Cybersmart/What%20is%20Cybersmart/Program%20principles.aspx
Nsw department of education and communities. (2014). The Code of Conduct. Retrieved 12 May, 2015, from http://www.teach.nsw.edu.au/documents/code_guide.pdf