I think the most important aspect in keeping kids safe when using Web 2.0 is education. The kids really need to be educated in what types of actions and content are appropriate for the internet. Not only will it effect their life now but it will also effect their future reputation. Some things within the realm of Web 2.0 can never be erased and it will stick with them forever.
Kids also need to be educated in internet ethics. Its not so much that kids need to know that they shouldn't write bad things (i.e. harassment) about others on the internet, they need to understand that nothing about another person should be posted without permission from that person. Kids in general just have to be respectful of themselves and others. They should treat others the way they would want to be treated.
I see this rule being used less and less in high schools today. And I think for some kids in particular the internet can be a tool that makes it easier for them to be even nastier. They can do and say things to other students without even being face to face. They need to understand the consequences of their actions. They need education.
I also think that this can go the other way. Kids who are shy are more open to give feedback and praise over the internet than in person and this is great for boosting confidence. I was actually very shy in high school and I found networking through the internet to be very satisfying because I felt safe in that I could read what I was going to say before I really said it.
All in all kids need to feel safe using the internet and all it's web 2.0 tools and applications. We need to prepare kids for the world out there after school and how to be successful in it. They need to understand what is acceptable and what is not. Our district was shown this video by an administrator at the beginning of this school year. She went on to say how important it is that we educate our students for the ever changing world out there but she didn't really express how very important it is that we educate them in the ethics of the 21st century. It is our job as educators to teach them how to be a respectful internet user which I feel will lead them to overall success.
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Commenting to my own blog. Haha, dont know if thats appropriate but I was just going through http://voicethread.com/#q.b8878.i68326 , a presentation on Second Life (http://secondlife.com/) , and a comment that Peggy Sheehy mentioned really struck me. She has created an island that students cannot leave or communicate with others. She says that that this keeps her students safe but if we really want our students to be 21st century learners then we have to let them out and communicate with others.
Students shouldn't be locked up just so we as educators can feel safe!!! Again, we need to teach them these specific ethics skills.
I agree with you Jess. We need to teach good skills and promote the safe and ethical use of the tools, not prohibit it through limiting access. Does your school have a general "school code/saying/code of ethics"? If so, you could incorporate that into your "technology" code of ethics for your classroom!
Jess, Thanks for the comment on my blog. In response to your question, have you thought about posting math content and having students reply? Yes I have and failed miserably. I find it hard to get kids involved at home with blogging. I think it is a wonderful idea but with so few connections to the net at home I can hardly "require" that they view the blog...and few kids anywhere are motivated enough to go out there and do it on their own. That is why I try and make the blog as useful and interesting as possible...without any extra work for them. Check Out My Class Blog
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