ECE912 Have a look at this article

[jason]

Game teaches children about Net dangers

And don't forget, we're in the POD this coming monday.

Comments

skeptical

[nikkw.livejournal.com]

I am not suer how the computer game helps children to be more safe when in chat rooms and online, in general. I know, from my experiance, working in a classroom with children ranging from grade one to three, that they did not really understand the importance of what they were doing online. There were a number of games and activitie to choose from, but the children all tended to gravitate towards the games that had a lot of visual cues and constant action.

Maybe the children I worked with are a little younger than the age group that this game is targetted at, or maybe I am just skeptical but, I am not so sure that this game is great, or that it truly teaches children about the dangers of the internet.

Re: skeptical

[complicittheory.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure either, and I wasn't presenting it as a solution. I think that it is up to the ECE educators like yourself to be looking at these sorts of technologies, discussing them with your peers and making decisions. And you've just started doing that. Great.

Response to "Missing"

[ryerson-jessica.livejournal.com]

Terribly interesting. I think in order for me to form a full opinion I would have to see this game firsthand. The idea of it sounds a little controversial. Are there not aids parents can put on their computers to monitor or block what their children see? Are they not good enough? I dont have much exposure to such internet blocking tools so I really dont know but perhaps monitoring your children's internet use better would be a less harsh approach at this issue. Just my opinion.

[mdarragh.livejournal.com]

The program sounds great. The creators have taken something that many children enjoy (computer programs) and have used it as a teaching tool. Provided that the software program engages children and teaches them about internet safety, this could be used in all of our schools. It is in these situations that children seem to learn best as they are learning the lessons in a way that they enjoy, not through one-sided instruction. A teacher could create a classroom discussion after the children use the program by asking questions such as, "what clues were helpful in finding the missing child?".

missing

[mcblair.livejournal.com]

The game sounds really good and it seem to be working what it is design for in helping children be safe net users. But this just re-enforced that young children should not have access to the computer or the internet where there is a great opportunity that they themself will go missing one day.

Re: missing

[complicittheory.livejournal.com]

Touche. It _could_ be useful in addition to other childproofing activities.

J

[complicittheory.livejournal.com]

I think you're onto something... I think it is best if there is a real educator involved with these issues... software can be used for support, or reinforcement perhaps.

Re: Response to "Missing"

[complicittheory.livejournal.com]

They are not good enough. That's for sure. Anyone can get around a barrier if they want to, and it gives parents an unreasonable belief that the 'block' has solved the problem.But multiple approaches work best, I think, especially if there is a real person involved.