"Online Network Use in Schools"

http://eprints.qut.edu.au/14997/1/14997.pdf

This is another article supporting the use of social networking sites in schools.

Notley points out that Australian politicians and media commentators claim that online networks support a broad host of threats to young people including peadophilia, bullying, spread of unwanted pornographic and violent material. She later mentions the risks of identity theft, spam, advertising and virus'. She argues the issue by providing statistics that show the high usage of internet by young people, and states that with these high numbers, young people should be learning how to avoid and deal with these risks while enjoying the benifits.

Notley finds that in Australia there is no National strategy to ensure young people are receiving an appropriate education in how to deal with web risks while enjoying its benefits.
There are Learning Place spaces which are managed by teachers and administrators but are these restricted spaces as benificial as autonomous spaces? Notley argues that that they are not as they do not allow young people the oppurtunity to experience the World Wide Web and use online networking skills in a safe, meaningful and effective way.

Entry Two - Technology Changing Education

http://research.acer.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1001&context=digital_learning


This paper is an interesting read, giving a brief overview of the world wide web and its uses. It goes on to discuss the Digital Education Revolution policy which is a positive step towards providing greater ICT in schools.

White goes on to discuss trends in ICT and the fast development of the web which has now become so powerful and information is so easily accessed. Further more we can not only access this information from our computer but so many other more portable devices which mean we have the information right at hand when we want it and we can share information and connect with others much more easily.

Some good points that categorise benefits of ICT in education.

One paragraph in particular interested me, that discussed a recession in the printing of newspapers yet saw that a huge amount of people were accessing the newspaper online. The statistics got me thinking that yes, technology is making its way into the classroom, but this to me gives a small insight into the fact the our current society is one of technology (obviously with all the gadgets etc), but now the classroom is adapting, including and using this technological world.

White, G. ICT Trends in Education (2008) accessed 28/6/2010 from http://research.acer.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1001&context=digital_learning.