WebQuest and Internet Safety:

Earlier this week I assigned my students a WebQuest. I know some parents have been questioning the assignment because of internet safety reasons. I think your senior students are fairly comfortable and intellectual when it comes to the internet. I think WebQuest is a great way to get your students away from the text books and on to critical, real world thinking.
In the WebQuest assignment I listed specific websites as well as videos that the students could use. This is a great way to keep the students on task and off of websites that can be distracting or harmful in any way. There are many other ways to keep your students safe on the internet. I have created a glog as well as a powerpoint explaining the dangers of the internet as well as ways they can stay safe.
Some ways you can keep your students safe are to inform them of certain websites you will not allow them on and blocking these websites from your home computers. You should also tell your students what the dangers are and how to avoid them. Informing them is the best way to keep them out of trouble.
The internet is a fantastic technology that teachers and parents should not be afraid of. Our students will benefit greatly from these tools. We must inform them of the dangers but allow them to use these technologies for educational purposes freely.

If you have any questions or concerns you can call or email me.
Thank you!
Ms. Graefe