Internet Safety and its Importance

Hi, all! I believe that we are all aware that the internet is a way of life in today's society. As you all know, Jackson County Schools has implemented internet in all of their schools in the past few years. Our class goes to the computer lab once a week to use the computers. Sometimes we work on downloaded programs, and sometimes we do educational sites on the internet. The children are always monitored by myself and an aide to make sure they stay on the specific website they are working on. I know that most of my children use the internet at home also (in the presence of their parents, hopefully), and I just wanted to make all of my parents and guardians are aware of WHY they should be monitoring their child and his or her internet usage.

These are the top three things that came to my mind when asked about the harm of the internet to children:

1. There are inappropriate websites and content on the internet not suitable for children
   
2. Cyberbullying is a real thing! Be aware!

3. There are many hackers, child predators, etc. online, and children are the perfect targets


I created this post because I want to keep all of my students safe. I feel that if we work together to prevent these things, students will get to enjoy the beneficial parts of the internet and won't have to worry about the harmful parts. The internet is very, very important. We cannot 'shelter' our children from the internet by no means, but we can be aware of the harms that the internet can bring.

Read more about the internet safety here.

BYOD - Bring Your Own Device

Hello everyone! If you have never heard about "BYOD," get ready-- it is a term that will become very known within the next few years.

BYOD:

Bring 

Your 

Own 

Device

BYOD stands for 'Bring Your Own Device'. This term is becoming more and more popular in education each year. Jackson County Schools are becoming very interested in this idea, and it's likely that we will see this implemented in our schools very soon. 

BYOD basically means that students will be allowed to bring their own device to school for educational purposes. There are many benefits to BYOD, but the most important is the cost. BYOD cuts the cost of technology significantly for our schools. However, BYOD does cost. BYOD costs the parents, guardians, and students. If your child already has a device that would benefit them for BYOD, they are set. If not, BYOD can become pretty costly. I have attached a link to a BYOD survey, and you may voice your opinions about BYOD anonymously through the form.

BYOD Devices:

• Tablets (Android tablets, iPads, etc.)
• Smartphones 
• Laptops 

Take a look at the article 20 Pros and Cons of Implementing BYOD in Schools to see the pros and cons of BYOD in detail. This may help you decide whether you are for or against BYOD. 

Take the Survey HERE. Voice your opinion!