current provision for e safety in falkirk schools february 2010

E-Safety in Falkirk SchoolsCurrent Provision

Malcolm WilsonICT Curriculum Development Officer

[email protected]

Tel: 01324 503766

Falkirk Council Education Services

It’s about Education

The advances in technology have brought exciting and innovative tools to teaching and learning.

Students and teachers can easily create multimedia resources, communicate in real time, any time, any place, and anywhere.

Students can access information, create and represent their ideas in a digital form that best suits their learning styles.


What do we do about E-safety now in Falkirk Schools?

AUPComputer systemsE-mail systems Internet FiltersTeaching ResourcesGuidanceAudit / school self-evaluation toolsCPD


Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)

On enrolment of their child in a Falkirk school the enrolment procedure includes signing up to an acceptable use policy in the use of ICT.

There is also an AUP for all staff Schools determine roles and

responsibilities and actions to be taken


Computer Systems

Users have different access – each has own username and passwordSchools provide visibly different desktops

for pupils and for staff so at a glance it is easy to check that pupils are not using a computer inadvertently left logged on by a staff member.

Additional information and access rights for staff


E-mail systems

Email systems Gaggle and Glow Mail provide systems

which can be managed by schoolsWord Filters

block messages being sent with offensive words

Tracking and monitoringAllow schools to identify where issues arise

and deal with these issues accordingly.


Internet Filters - searches

Falkirk Virtual Teacher Centre (VTC) website has Google search box on the first page. This automatically uses the Google SafeSearch tool

(in addition to the Council webfilters within schools) - and should be encouraged for use at home too.

All other search engines accessed directly are forced to their “safe search” condition filters out unsuitable content within searches.

In addition word filters are used to restrict search criteria and website access.


Internet Filters – websites

Popups and Adverts are blocked Prevents unsuitable content appearing in adverts within open

web pages. Staff get access to extra facilities

staff get access to sites to which pupils will not get access. If a member of staff finds themselves unable to access a

website which they know to be a useful teaching resource, only staff are presented with a screen which enables them to directly request access.

If staff find a resource which they believe should be blocked from access by pupils in school then staff can report this via the ICT Service Desk link from their PC or by sending an e-mail to [email protected].


What can teachers do?

Teachers encourage pupils to use online resources when undertaking curricular work either in school or at home.

So it is important for all staff to reinforce safety messages to all pupils.

The safety of our pupils online is the responsibility of all staff.

Online safety skills are skills for life. If our children can make sensible and informed

choices online they can get the most from the internet and stay safe whilst doing so.


Teaching Resources – pupil resources

Becta, the UK agency concerned with the use of ICT in education, produced the Internet proficiency scheme and we provided their teaching packs for every school as a result.

E-safety online resources on first page of the Falkirk VTC (www.falkirkvtc.org.uk) first page primary pupils will see when logging onto the internet in

schools. These include age-specific interactive activities at www.thinkuknow.co.uk - so pupils from primary 1 to S6 will find material here relevant to them presented in ways designed to appeal to the different age groups.

The Thinkuknow website has an excellent area for teachers. There you’ll find films, presentations, games, lesson plans and posters covering a range of issues including cyber-bullying. All of these resources encourage young people to have fun with new technology, whilst staying in control of the risks. Importantly, they also teach young people where to go if they have any concerns.


Teaching Resources – pupil resources

Becta, the UK agency concerned with the use of ICT in education, produced the Internet proficiency scheme and we provided their teaching packs for every school as a result.

Highly recommended are the e-safety online resources which can be found on the very first page of the Falkirk VTC (www.falkirkvtc.org.uk) which is the very first page primary pupils will see when logging onto the internet in schools. These include age-specific interactive activities at www.thinkuknow.co.uk - so pupils from primary 1 to S6 will find material here relevant to them presented in ways designed to appeal to the different age groups.

The Thinkuknow website has an excellent area for teachers. There you’ll find films, presentations, games, lesson plans and posters covering a range of issues including cyber-bullying. All of these resources encourage young people to have fun with new technology, whilst staying in control of the risks. Importantly, they also teach young people where to go if they have any concerns.


Guidance -

When new national resources become available these have been presented to schools via sessions for primary ICT Co-ordinators. These have included

Byron report - looked at what schools could do in response to various issues including gaming technology, video games, mobile phones and social networking sites.

In response to concerns specifically about the misuse of mobile phones work was done within the council to produce material distributed to all families.


Guidance – School Websites

Schools are encouraged to include links to e-safety resources on their own school websites. falkirkvtc.org.uk thinkuknow.co.uk

Schools are advised to avoid naming individuals with photographs on websites

Schools are advised to use forms for contacts rather than e-mail addresses


Guidance – for Parents

Thinkuknow website has resources to support parents in keeping their children safe online www.thinkuknow.co.uk

Recommended that these are highlighted regularly in school newsletters to parents.

Becta publication “Here’s How You Can Support your child’s learning with technology” issued to all ICT Co-ordinators for sharing with parents www.nextgenerationlearning.org.uk/en/

Parents/


Audit / School self-evaluation tools

To help schools evaluate their

e-safety provision and provide material

to support schools moving on from where

they are National Education Network E-Safety Audit tool

www.portal.northerngrid.org/ngflwebsite/esafety_audit_tool/esafety_audit_tool.html

Becta School Self-evaluation tool https://selfreview.becta.org.uk/


CPD

Courses which are provided by Falkirk using ICT, whether online blogging or creation of video or use of photographs on school websites have always included reference to practical steps which teachers can take to safeguard children.


current provision for e safety in falkirk schools february 2010

Education

staff schools

falkirk vtc

website access

different access

staff member

member of staff

esafety online resources

page primary pupils