Reading Reflection

1. What article did you choose to read for your fourth article?
For my fourth article I decided to read "Mixed Signals" from the June 2001 New Era.

2. What were the most important things you learned from the readings?
In my fourth article the most important thing I read was that there are guidelines for safe Internet use. The one that stuck out to me the most was that You are in control. Unless you misspell a word you have to be looking for the inappropriate sites to find them. This is also connected to the next thing. Keep the computer in a public place. If everyone is watching you, you re going to be less likely to go looking for those inappropriate sites. In the other reading I really thought that it was telling us that we need to be a positive role model to others and tell them what we believe and also stand up for what we believe. We have the power to change the outcome in an uncomfortable situation if we will make sure we know what our belief are when it comes to media.

3. How will what you have read influence your actions as a parent and/or teacher of children and youth?
As a parent I am going to make sure that all computers are only available to be used in wide open spaces. I am also going to make sure that my family has a set of rules for using the Internet. As a teacher I am going to be more aware of what my students go looking for. The school will probably have some type of a block but if I am alert and aware to what is going on fewer students will try to look for the inappropriate material.

4. How can you use what you have learned from the reading to have a positive influence on family and friends?
It is very important to inform family and friends about this information. In this day and age we are in the middle of two completely different generations. One generation did not grow up with computers and for the most part they are unsure how to really navigate on them. The other generation has grown up with computers their whole lives and has an almost know-it-all attitude. By sharing this information with both groups you will help the older generation understand what the risks are and how they can help prevent some of them from happening. By talking to the younger generation you are not only reminding them what they may already know you might be telling them new information that might come in handy one day.