Professional+Development


 * __Cybersafety Outreach: Professional development for educators__** is a PD run by the CEO by Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). This PD was very worth the time and effort to attend. The presenter explained the dangers of our 'digital footprint' in this electronic age. As wonderful as all this technology is, it is also a nightmare for us, regarding criminals including hackers and stalkers. Some stats he presented us with were that by age 10 students were not only sourcing their information competently from the internet, but were also able to define cyberbullying. 10% of Yr 9 & 10 students are cyberbullied in Australia and 50% of Yr 9 & 10 students are cyberbullied in the U.S. Myspace, FaceBook and MSN are the most common areas in which this occurs. In the profile of a modern student technology is listed as being used in four major ways: at school, both internally and externally for homework and assignments; as a primary source of information, as a key communication tool and as a primary means for socialising. Students must learn critical literacy - that is; not believing everything they read, hear or see. They must know to close down untrustworthy sites and to report them to an adult. Children under the age of 18 can be charged with sending a text that is inappropriate under the 'distribution of child porn', or of receiving a text under the 'possession of child porn' laws. However, one the most important and alarming things talked about at this PD was the impact that the internet has had on employers 'googling' a prospective employees name. It is vital that we all know that Facebook, MySpace and other sites where comments, photos and discussions take place can impact greatly if we are searching for a job. Employers regularly google to see what the 'private' life of a prospective employee might reveal. After all, once put into cyberspace - there is no 'privacy' about it at all.