Internet Safety Strategies
Recently in Adelaide and Brisbane I attended a round table discussion with members of the federal opposition disussing future strategies regarding internet safety and cyberbullying solutions for the youth of Australia. This forum was invitation only and was attended by experts from varying disiplines including teachers, speakers, monitoring software companies, ISP providers, youth workers, legal experts and researchers.
As expected the general consensus was that the issues facing youth in an online environment were REAL and that education was the key.
Laptop Rollout – Great strategy to finish the year
One of the most common queries I receive from schools is how to encourage parents to attend school hosted educational sessions. Although internet related issues are the number one concern for parents it can be a struggle to get them to these instructional sessions. This of course can be due to many reasons the least of which is TIME, I understand this well as I'm a parent myself.
During the year I conducted a large amount of work with the Clairvoux McKillop School at Mt Gravatt, Queensland. This move ahead school is extremily passionate when it comes to the all round education for the entire school community including parents, as it relates to their children. Conducting multiple laptop rollouts this year the school identified the need to be highly proactive in acceptable usage policy and education prior to issuing the appliances to the students.
There were many facets to the rollout program, my sessions only being one part of the process. From my perspective a highly successful component was the requirement of a representative guardian or parent for every child to attend an educational session on a selected evening prior to their child receiving the laptop. This achieved a number of things,-two of which were that the parents become part of the student/laptop program and they knew where they and their kids stood in regards to rights and responsibilities. Just so happened this was was my last student presentation of the year.
Motivational Media
When I started speaking full time a number of years ago I became aware of an organisation named Motivational Media. I was told that each year this not for profit, worldwide organisation would produce and deliver a new video in thousands of schools.
This video targeted students and was re-nounded for being relevant, up to date and engaging, involving videos, interviews and music. The production centred around empowerment, self belief, awareness and of course positive motivation. To date I have not seen the product but have since heard from numerous sources how great this production is.
Just recently it was my honour and privilege to be asked by Motivational Media to take part in their current production that will be shown at schools across Australia in 2012. Now, having recently done the filming and although terrible in front of the camera, my passion for the issues that face young people helped me get my message on tape, can't wait to see the finished product.
If you've never heard of Motivational Media or have had them to your school, just not recently, please remind the relevant person to get them and their new production in 2012 To read more about MM click on the logo.
New Zealand Video Conference/s
Although travelling to New Zealand to present is becoming a regular occurrence a couple of presentations deserve a mention. Firstly, due to time, commitment and flight constraints I was unable to attend (in person) and present at a professional development conference that was being held in Auckland with Northcote and Glenfield Colleges.
I was asked to deliver for a 90 minute period and was very disappointed that the schedule would not allow it. Through discussion it was agreed we would do the presentation via skype to an audience of approximately 400 teachers. After a number of last minute tests and trials the presentation went ahead with relatively no hiccups. The audience seeing a full body shot of me from my lounge room on one screen and my presentation slides on another screen. I do appreciate a number of issues could have occurred, but they didn't.
Secondly, whilst in Christchurch in November I conducted a secure video link conference with approximately 9 schools. The host facility was at Burnside High School, went without a hitch and I believe it as the first of it's type to be conducted within the NZ school system.
I do apologise that I'm not able torecall the name of this secure video conferencing product but the technology and operation was truly amazing to me. Switching between participants and Q&A was flawless. I will mention that during this visit I spoke to students from Papanui High School and these guys were brilliant, thanks. Also thanks to Margot and Geoff for looking after me.
Mining Town Roadtrip
Short flight to Rockhampton and then off driving west to the mining townships of Middlemount, Dysart, Tieri and Capella. Over 3 days spoke to students, teachers and parents from the primary and secondary schools.
I relish speaking in smaller communities away from the big cities and not only because of a change of scenery but also the people. It is interesting however, that speaking with teachers, principals and parents from these areas that the issues they face when it comes to kids and teens online are exactly the same as those faced in the larger communities. I do notice though, that no principal from these small communities has ever told me that these issues are out of control particularly when it comes to cyberbullying, great to hear. This isn't always he case in larger city schools.
I'm also very appreciative that I got to travel out there in winter, told it gets very hot in summer. I love my cold climates. Thanks again to these communities.
Melbourne Teenage Expo
First expo in Australia exclusively for teenagers A very bold venture, with heaps of organisation involved. Sonya and Sasha did an amazing job and their work paid off with a brilliant event that involved thousands of participants. I understand that the event will definitely be on again next year and if you as a teacher, parent or teenager get the chance to attend please take it. Click on the logo to read more about the event.
QASSP Conference Roma
Travelled out past the Darling Downs to conduct workshops at the Queensland Association of Secondary School Principals, southern region conference. First one for me and was very impressed with the location and organisation, great conference.Unfortunately had to get in and out on the one day and missed the dinner and a chance to network, maybe next year.
Corporate Programs
Attended the Security in Government trade show in Canberra this monthforinitialdiscussions with a training company regarding the development of courses and workshops surrounding acceptable use, responsibilities, legislation, dangers and consequences employees and/or managerswhen using digital technology both in the workplace and privately. It's apparent that real world issues being faced by our youth online are also being experienced by adults. These courses are currently in the development stage and when released will be an extremely useful product fororganisations to educate staff witha goal to improve workplace relations and overall productivity.
Brisbane Catholic Ed Training
Great to speak to an awesome audience ( laughed at my jokes) of teachers and leaders about online benefits and considerations when engaged in e-learning and personal activity. I can really see how relaxed teaching professionals can be when outside the school environment. I felt my presentation was really well received due to the positive vibes and interaction, this relaxed me and I delivered what I feel was a meaningful and relevant presentation. Thanks for the opportunity given to me by Danielle Carter and the team at Catholic Education, Archdiocese of Brisbane.
A New Zealand Winterfest
Very privileged to be invited to travel this month to the Central Otago region in New Zealand’s south island. An amazingly beautiful part of the country where I spent a full week within communities including Cromwell (Cromwell College), Wanuka (Mt Aspiring College), Alexandra (Dunstan College), Roxbough (Roxbough High School), Arrowtown (Arrowtown School) and Queenstown (Wakatipu High, Queenstown Primary).
Responsible for getting me there and looking after me was Karla Sanders of the e-Central Otago e-learning team who could not have done enough for me. I so much appreciate her vision in the benefit my messages would be to the audiences.
I delivered 30 presentations over the five days which was very tiring but still truly motivating and left me feeling slightly sad when my last presentation was done. The kids in all year levels at all schools were fantastic and seemed fascinated by the presentations, they weren’t too keen on the Australian Rugby photos.
As always, I learnt heaps from the kids and teachers through stories and experiences that they have had as it relates to their digital world. These schools have embraced technology and it really interests me to hear some of the issues they are encountering both in school and out of school. Generally though, as always, digital learning rules. What I’m seeing is that schools that immerse themselves and their students in e-learning manage the issues far better.
I was lucky to be staying in Queenstown on the weekend that their Winter Festival commenced which saw the town population rise by 10,000 even though the snow hadn’t arrived, hopefully soon for those guys.
On Sunday I headed off to the Ashburton Region to speak at schools in the area including Mt Hutt College, Mountainview High School and Roncalli College.
Again received a great reception from the communities and had a fantastic two days. Finally, the cold came in and the ski season began, just as I was leaving.
So much thanks to those who looked after me and made my stay very memorable.
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Recent Posts
- Internet Safety Strategies
- Laptop Rollout – Great strategy to finish the year
- Motivational Media
- New Zealand Video Conference/s
- Mining Town Roadtrip
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