Professional Development

The Importance of Educators to Internet Safety & Security

staysafe.org focuses on helping people understand Internet security & safety issues as it relates to their lives, and then helping them find the behavioral and technical solution that helps them.  Educators are an important partner in helping some of the youngest “netizens” take their first steps onto the Internet, and then guide them as they get older and become some of the most prolific and frankly risky users of technology.

Your students are the first Cyber Generation. Everyday they face dangers that we never would have dreamed of as kids. We were taught by our parents to not talk to strangers. But we do not teach our children to not "chat" with strangers. That’s bad when you consider that ten percent of students surveyed by i-SAFE America, Inc. met someone face-to-face after meeting on the Internet and more than half have given out personal information (name, sex, age, etc.) over the Internet.

If you are not already familiar with i-SAFE America, staysafe.org would like to introduce teachers to their program and curriculum. i-SAFE America is an Internet Safety Education Foundation. They are committed to teaching our nation's youth how to use the Internet with confidence and responsible behavior, solidifying the foundation's focus towards the investment in our future-the kids and technology of tomorrow.  And they are committed to helping teachers facilitate that in their classrooms, schools and communities.

i-SAFE Professional Development Program (PDP)

i-SAFE certification is acknowledged by state departments of education all over the nation as a necessary component of responsible educational technology use. The i-SAFE Professional Development Program (PDP) provides a standardized preparation for educators to participate as i-SAFE Program Leaders and Classroom Instructors, and includes:

  • A basic technology overview.
  • A comprehensive explanation of Internet safety concepts in the areas of Community, Cyber Security, Personal Safety, Cyber Predators, and Intellectual Property.
  • The steps to implement the i-SAFE Education Initiative.
  • An overview of the i-SAFE curriculum for grades K-12.
  • An overview of the i-SAFE Youth Empowerment and Community Outreach Programs

The i-SAFE program is directly aligned with national standards including NETS and No Child Left Behind.

To see an example of some of the work they’ve done, talk a look at iRoom which will feature new examples of student work on a regular basis. What's the iRoom all about? It's about ideas, inspiration and Internet safety. We've highlighted some of the fun and engaging ways other teachers are educating their students on the importance of online safety. Our goal is to inspire you to use these ideas - or for you to develop your own. Who knows, we may even feature your idea next time.

Visit the iRoom.

Results

Take a look at the numbers below and it reminds you of something educators already know: Education is the key! These numbers are from a survey conducted with students 3 to 6 weeks after they studied the i-SAFE America curriculum.

After i-SAFE America Curriculum
  • 79% of students less likely to meet someone new from the Internet in person
  • 80% of students more careful about the personal information they share online
  • 76% of students more careful about what they do and where they go on the Internet
  • 64% of students more careful about what they download from the Internet
  • 54% of students have discussed Internet safety with their parents
  • 45% of students have discussed Internet safety with their friends
How to Get Involved:

You are not alone. Other teachers are facing the same issues and battles you are when it comes to protecting your students online. Check out what others are doing to keep up with the ever-changing world of the Internet. Find out what works in other parts of the country and see if those ideas will work for you. You don't have to go further than staysafe.org to make it happen.

To teach the i-SAFE curriculum or train others, you must participate in a PDP and become an i-SAFE Certified Trainer. All PDP attendees receive regular program updates and all curricula and basic materials are provided at no cost to those who are certified.

There are three ways to participate in an i-SAFE PDP:

  • i-LEARN Online: This new opportunity from i-SAFE enables you to participate in a PDP online, on demand and on your schedule. View all the online safety lessons on any computer with Internet access at your convenience.
  • Premier PDP : This version is hosted in your area by an i-SAFE Certified Trainer.
  • Premier Video PDP: This version of the PDP is in the form of a DVD and may also be hosted in your area by an i-SAFE Certified Trainer.

To find out more, go to www.isafe.org.