A couple of days ago, I commented on UMPCs and how close they are to the tablets I described in my 2004 book, Redefining Literacy. Part of that book was a future fiction of a 2014 middle school classroom.
Another feature of that room and many classrooms were permenantly installed video cameras enabling parents and the community to virtually attend their schools classes.
At this moment, thanks to a Twittered reference by Will Richardson, I am watching presentations of science projects, delivered by a class of 8th graders — in real time.
As Will said in his Tweet, “Too cool! I’m learning!”
I caught the very end of the projects. I then went back to view the rest later. All I could think was…Man this is awesome.
Being in a technology stagnate district, I would have to get permission slips signed by each parent to go through with this… A hurdle I wish I didn’t have to jump over.
What about a Technology Conference geared toward Parent Digital Literacy?
On the one hand, it is indeed cool to be able to see classes and presentations in action. On the other hand, much of what I’ve read about online safety discourages images of children of any age on the Internet and my district Acceptable Use Policy states that “Students shall not reveal on the Internet personal information about themselves or other persons. For example, students should not reveal their name, home address, telephone number, or display photographs of themselves or others;” While it doesn’t specifically mention “live videocasts” certainly, live video is a type of “display photographs of themselves.” Watching children live could allow a predator to obtain lots of information about that child which could later be used to gain that child’s confidence when outside of school.
Is the whole issue of Internet safety for children overblown and what’s wrong with broadcasting student presentations live, or does more thought need to take place?
So this teacher, while indeed well intended, could end up putting kids in jeopardy. What if a child shown is part of a custody battle (remember divorce rates are over 50%)and now the estranged parent could possibly know where to find them.
I am sure, however, that the teacher who posted these got signed waivers….right?
I do not think that Internet safety is overblown…but showing kids’ photos on-line? Aren’t schools opening themselves for lawsuits whether something happens or not?
A teacher puts his/her students in greatest jeopardy when they take kids on field trips in school buses. I have a hunch that more kids are hurt annually from bus accidents than from online predators. I believe students are in even greater jeopardy when their teachers fail to take risks. This teacher took a risk and I commend him for doing so. Not many others have the guts to open their classroom for visitors to have a look in.
One other thought on the predator thing. If you are a child predator, you’re more likely to get information on kids from a local newspaper, where they publish pictures and first/last names for kids, than you are from some live presentation taking place 1500 miles away.
It seems like we’ve let the American media get the best of us in this country. How many of us in this country are influenced by the “To Catch a Predator” garbage?” We’re going to let hysteria affect how we use 21st century teaching and learning tools in our classrooms?
I agree, parent education if a big part of this. Show your parents Karl Fisch’s “Did You Know 2.0” video and have a conversation with them about it…you’ll see that the parents are more afraid of the USA losing its competitive advantage than the hysterics associated with online predators.
Matt Montagne
Off subject from the coolness of the kids presentations—I saw the statistics of stranger abductions somewhere, it’s a miniscule part of the hundreds of thousands advertised on the news. The one teen who runs away with a guy she meet on the internet is flashed all over the news—I’d think a young woman would have a better chance of getting struck by lightening twice than lured by an internet predator.
@Matt, I couldn’t agree more. The fact of the matter is that parents do succumb to media hype. The sad part is the students hear their parents. Many of my students (in elementary school) fear putting info about themselves on the internet. I had a conversation with a class of 5th graders on Thursday about this very thought. 20 out of 25 students thought that any information about themselves on the internet would put them in great danger from a predator. They honestly feel that it will be an automatic abduction. If a predator wants to abduct a child, they will find a way, internet or not. Somewhat reminds me of locking our house doors. If an intruder wants to get in the house, they will, door locked or not 🙂
I’m following this discussion with great interest as we are having the same type of discussion at my district. We are in the process of updating an outdated AUP from 1989, and very much want to promote the work of our students and provide them with genuine audiences – but without putting them in harm’s way – or inviting law suites. Kind of a balancing act, no?