New technologies offer enormous educational and social benefits for young people but they also have a wide range of implications for schools.
Ofsted requires schools to describe "the extent to which learners adopt safe and responsible practices in using technologies, including the internet” in their self-evaluation forms (section 4b).
And, in late 2009, the UK Goverment announced its child internet safety strategy, which includes online safety being a compulsory part of the curriculum from age 5 from September 2011. In support of this, it launched the 'Click Clever, Click Safe' campaign in February 2010.
Furthermore, research from Becta reveals that most parents say technology helps them get involved in their child's education and that it could play a more powerful role if they better understood how to use it.
Did you know?
In Becta's 2008 E-Safety and Web 2.0 survey, only 55 per cent of teachers stated that their school had an e-safety policy; 3 per cent believed their school did not have one; and 42 per cent did not know.
As part of its national drive to ensure the effective and innovative use of technology throughout learning, Becta therefore recommends that schools:
- Build an infrastructure of whole-school awareness, designated responsibilities, policies and procedures (including an Acceptable Use Policy, e-safety guidelines and an anti-bullying policy that covers cyberbullying).
- Invest in an effective range of technological tools.
- Develop a comprehensive ICT and e-safety education programme for the whole school community.
Becta's guidance, which covers topics such as leadership, curriculum and professional development in relation to ICT and e-safety, forms the foundation of this section of the Teachtoday website.
Where can I find out more?