I like to think I'm fairly Cyber-Savvy. It's a huge part of my role, within my school... I impart it to my own kids, as well as the parents of their friends. My best friend refers to me as the "clever nerd" that can educate her. Today, as I sat listening to John Parsons speak to the teachers from our cluster... I was awakened to my ignorance.
I'm not keeping myself safe!
How often have I...
- signed into my home google account and thrown one of my own kids on my "Teacher Laptop" to get something finished for school?
- needed to upgrade software or an app on my "Teacher laptop" then and there, but not had access to the school Apple ID... so I used my own? - The same one that our family iPads (including my own childrens') are linked to...Thereby adding a synced dimension...
- Shut the lid on my "Teacher laptop", leaving it in the unlocked classroom, available for any bystander to open...
- Ducked into another room, again with the "Teacher laptop" available...
I could endlessly go on...
As teachers, we put endless thought into how we can best equip our akonga to learn. How we can make an impact. Teachers are usually a selfless breed, never really stopping to think about how the little things could impact on ourselves. John Parsons outlined, using real examples, of how things can go horribly wrong for the most well-meaning people. He highlighted simple behaviour changes or key things to take away that we can do to protect ourselves and our schools.
Key stakeholders, within the school, are all equally empowered with protecting it's identity. Within the room, we had teaching staff and principals... yet no support staff, administrators, caretakers, Board members... These key members of a school are often taken for granted when considering the identity of the school. The teachers are considered the front line. Without these, how on earth would our schools survive. John Parsons was adamant that all stakeholders be involved and equal in the process.
I encourage anyone, who has an opportunity to listen to him, to leap at the chance.
John Parsons, Internet Safety and Risk Assessment Consultant
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