Putting Photos onto Blogs

Today a colleague shared their opinion with me about putting photos on the internet. Although I have thought about this before, I've never really given it any major consideration. I'm of the techno generation and so it's quite a normal part of my day to facebook, twitter, blog, google etc. I've never hesitated about using these things as I've been taught about digital footprints and I have the understanding that anything I post may affect my personal privacy, my career, or other people in some way.

So the topic came about because I have set up a classroom blog and would like to put photos of the children on it. Although those students who have signed the school internet policy have theoretically given their permission, I thought it was also neccessary for me to send a supplementary note with a permission slip as I am the first teacher to set up a classroom blog in this school.

My colleague expressed this was essential, as they believed no childs photo should ever be on the internet and parents needed to have that conversation with their child and give their permission. I agree that it is not my decision to have that authority to share photos of others without permission, however, my thoughts are that photos can be shared for a purpose and the internet is a great way to share photos of events (and in this case, learning tasks).

I believe we, as teachers, need to be teaching children about safe practices on the internet (benefits as well as risks) and their digital footprint. After all, the digital world is the world that we are already in - and technology isn't going to go backwards.

I understand every person is entitled to their opinion, and I fully respect the point my colleague was making. I'm interested.... what do you think?

Restorative Justice

My school is looking into putting restorative justice principles into place. I'm undecided what I think about this - I think it's more the name than the principles that put me off. It's going to be an interesting process for me and I know that I need to go into this with an open mind and some idea of how it could work for me. (Maybe just call it something else?!?!)

My current beliefs on behaviour management are (and I feel most teachers are similar):

• Put into place good structures and expectations
• Positive praise for target behaviours and celebrations
• It's all to easy to forget the 'good' children, when the 'tough' ones demand more attention - it's important to make an effort to balance this
• Re-direct children before the behaviour occurs (if possible)
• Give children a chance to be responsible and make choices
• Teach what good/expected behaviour is at school (maybe it's different at home)
• If a punishment is absolutley neccessary, make it relate to the 'crime' (eg, if Johnny is climbing the trees when he shouldn't be, the next play time he needs to play in a particular area where there are no trees)

I have found this article which is the start of my research.
http://www.teacherswork.ac.nz/journal/volume2_issue2/carroll_lind.pdf

21st century Alphabet

Children in your class not using thier imaginations???

Sometimes I find that children can lack imagination and problem solving skills. Usually the times when it is most problematic is during writing when they "have nothing to write about" or during play times. It's usually at this time behaviour issues might arise from boredom. Well.... no longer will this be an issue in my classroom (theoretically anyway!).

I have just stumbled across SCAMPER. So now on my to-do list I have: making up a display and a box of goodies that the children can help themselves to. I think I will put into the box a camera so the children can record thier thoughts and ideas.

First though, I think it is important to introduce them to the idea and have a bit of a go as a class. I feel some fun afternoons coming on!

Awesome Learning Spaces

Sweden
http://www.odditycentral.com/pics/swedens-classroom-free-school-the-future-of-education.html