Virtual Learning Network

What did we do?

In 2010 as more computers were put into classrooms and the internet was used more it became evident that there was a  lack of knowledge about keeping safe on the internet by the children and staff. It was decided that we would present Hectors World to the staff and they would the teach cyber safety using the programme to their class.

• A staff meeting was taken. It was discussed why we need to teach cyber safety.
• How to teach cyber safety. Programmes that could be used to teach it - Hectors World and The Grid
• A the end of 2010 it was discussed that further training in this area was needed as there were large gaps of children that still had no or limited knowledge about cyber safety and keeping safe on the internet. 
• It was made a requirement that all teachers must teach cyber safety to their class by the end of term 1 2011. To ensure this was being done and teachers were supported through the process, an E-learning leader supported each team (5-6 staff members) through the cyber safety programmes. 
• At the end of term 1 a survey of students from every class throughout the school was taken to access their knowledge on cyber safety. It was evident that 14 out of 16 classes had a good understanding about cyber safety. 
• At the beginning of term 2 we had problems with parents not wanting their childs work/photos details on the net. We thought the next step would be to:

1. Educate parents about cyber safety to show them that we are aware of the risks and are taking every step to keep their child safe. 
2. Create a parent consent form for present children and new enrollments. - This is kept on Google Docs.
3. Updated the ICT user agreement for staff, years 0-3, years 4-6.

• Net Safe was also approached to see what the best way to approach this with the parents. There suggestion was to hold a parent meeting.
• A cyber safety parent evening was taken by a lovely lady from Hereworth - Anjela Webster. Although there was a small turnout of parents the feedback given was very positive.

• Technology is changing so quickly and we as teachers need to keep up to date with how to keep our students digitally literate. 
• We need to revisit cyber safety yearly and frequent reminders throughout the year to keep it fresh in childrens minds.
• Teachers need to be given opportunities to see and learn what other schools are doing. So they can see the value of teaching and learning ICT.
• Cyber safety Parent meeting worked well because since the parent meeting there have been no complaints even though the parents that did complain initally didnt attend. Parents fears about work and photos appearing online have reduced. 
• Hectors world was a great programme to use initially but we would use other programmes as well in the future. It covered everything we needed initially. The Grid programme covers more issues and is great for older children.
• Parent consent for should be a priority to ensure parent, child, teacher partnership is maintained.
• The survey completed in term 1 made teachers accountable. It was a great way to see who had completed the cyber safety task.
• Teaching the cyber safety programme in teams worked well so less confident teachers were supported.

Whats worked:
Next steps:

• Look at the Net safe resources that we haven’t used yet.
• Look to Net Safe for guidance 
• Teachers only day 2012. 
• Discuss with staff what cybersafety programmes they will use.
• Discuss what programmes need to be monitored, such as Moshi Monsters and Club Penguin because the chat is unmonitored. 
• The expectations Discuss/show how Cybersafety must be modelled throughout the daily programme and should be ongoing throughout the year.
• Problem solving. resources. links to other websites.