Project Red

My school is currently implementing Google Apps for Education. the media Library specialists have told me that they are not teaching Email/internet safety until 3rd grade. Because of no formal training for students accounts for grades K through 2. Teachers keep asking to get it turned on and being able to email anyone (outside of the walled garden currently set up for elementary classes).

What are other people's take on having accounts activated without training for teachers/students on internet safety/email etiquette.

This is a great question. The fact that students need an email address to work with the Google account is sometimes a challenge for districts, depending on district policies, as well as training - as you mentioned. We can discuss this more, but I am very interested in hearing what others in the community think.

What does the district think about training K-2 students and parents on Internet safety/etiquette?

We are using Google Apps starting in grade 2. It is currently a walled garden, but teachers can request domains to be put on the unblocked list to receive email.

As for providing teachers with the knowledge and understanding of how to use these tools with children, our elementary librarians and computer technicians have been a crucial piece of the training. Our librarians will push into classrooms to model and provide just-in-time PD. They will also follow up and support teachers as needed.

We are a small district so our computer technicians, librarians and instructional coaches (known here as TLC) play a significant role in providing support for our teachers. We meet on a monthly basis to refine our professional development strategy to keep it in line with the direction we are moving.

We are still in the planning stages to go with Google Apps. Our Plan is to use Common Sense Media to begin teaching Digital Citizenship. It is free and they have curriculum starting in Kindergarten. It is aligned with Common Core, NETS, and American Association
of School Librarians standards.

www.commonsensemedia.org/educators/curriculum

this is great that you are enabling these students to utilize emails! it's an avenue for collaboration, inquiry and sharing. Please keep us posted.

Hey, this is great that you're using Common Sense Media! I did a deep dive into those resources last month. Good stuff. Please keep us updated...any particular resources you are benefiting from you can share?