Cybersafety Outreach (an Australian Government funded program) provides a suite of face-to-face programs for parents, teachers and students that provide valuable information on the risks confronting children online (cyberbullying, sexting, grooming, accessing inappropriate content, excessive gaming etc) as well as providing appropriate tools and strategies to help make experiences with online technologies safe and positive.
Connect.ed is an online learning equivalent to this face-to-face workshop, developed to further service the teachers of Australia, particularly those in regional and remote areas (to date, over 20,000 teachers have completed the face to face course).
Connect.ed has been developed to empower more educators to help young people stay safe online and to help move towards a more responsible and positive online culture for young people in Australia. It is accredited or endorsed by all state educational institutes and is the only not for profit professional development of its kind. As you would know, unfortunately, many schools and teachers currently feel they lack a full knowledge of the digital youth culture that exists, and unprepared for managing the fall-out from events online.
The program includes interactive elements such as social networking simulations, attitudinal surveys, interviews with experts in the field, and self reflective activities. Connect.ed acts as a bridge from the theory to classroom learning. We have featured the likes of Professor Donna Cross amongst other educators and experts.
Below is a link to the promotional video that outlines the structure and purpose of the course… this was also delivered in hard copy to all Australian schools.
If you would like to trial the course, you are welcome to register at www.cybersmart.gov.au/outreach.aspx
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Kind regards
Cara
Cara Webber
Senior Education Advisor
Security, Safety & e-Education Branch
Australian Communications and Media Authority