Literacy Tools and Resources avalaible 24/7

I reviewed an online archived webinar about Literacy tools that are available online 24/7. This webinar was presented by the Florida Virtual School.  Below are some cool online tools that were shared:

• Prezi
• readplease
• Virtual school library - Great list of resources for librarians, ESL teachers, speech teachers, and English / Language arts teachers!
• FLVS SRC - Florida virtual school student resource center (will be available soon)
• Literacy Instructional support center (will be available soon)

Improving online safety by investigating our digital footprint

     This morning I attended a webinar presented by the WLMA. This presentation was entitled Improving online safety by investigating our digital footprint, how to keep our kids safe online. Brent Howard and Conn McQuinn presented on this very interesting topic. The webinar addressed several issues such as:

• How to keep kids aware of what goes online
• Web 2.0
• Cyberbullying
• How to develop digital footprints
• School district responses to cyberbullying and sexting 

Web 2.0 topics:

• History is Web 1.0 is 1994 internet!
• information
• text based
• Example: WolframAlpha
•  Web 2.0 came into play in 2000
• Multimedia
• No coding information or server required - anyone can publish anytime, anywhere
• Connections and collaboration
• Sharing is caring
• Examples: Blogs, Wikipedia

 Social Networking / Digital Footprint:

• There's a site for everyone
• Connect with others 
• Collaborate/share information
•  As we engage in things like social networking, we are developing our digital footprint
• There is no undo
• 80% of Fortune 500 companies search through different social networking sites prior to hiring
• Keep  in mind how much you "live in a fishbowl" - everyone can watch
• Be sure to read the USER AGREEMENTS!- prior to agreeing - good information to know! 
• Think before you post - Great example - David After Dentist - YouTube
• Check out privacy settings - are you really private? 
• Be cautious 

What's in your digital profile?
Check out your digital profile by going on these sites:
- Spokeo
- Pipl

 Cyber-bullying:

• 24 / 7 / 365
• Happen to anyone / anytime
• In and out of school
• Choose what happens next - An information video about sexting and how it effects kids

How to Respond?

• Look at and review the policy and procedure
• Understand the policy, procedure, and practice
• Teen Cyberbullying investigated - Jude Tom Jacobs - What would you do book

Recommended Resources:

• WolframAlpha
• Tagxedo
• Posterous
•  Spokeo 
• Pipl