107 Auckland Kindergartens Tackle Technology Risks For Under 5s
Media release
Internet Safety Group
9 July 2007
This week 350 Auckland Kindergarten Association (AKA) teachers will be trained about keeping their kindergartens safer when using information and communication technology (ICT) .
The training is being delivered by Edict Systems in conjunction with the Auckland Kindergarten Association. Director of Edict Systems, Ian Newson says, “many services are using information and communication technology like digital cameras, computers and the internet as a part of their everyday functioning. Centres need to have strategies in place to help protect their staff and children from some of the risks that can accompany the use of technology”.
The training has been designed by NetSafe – the Internet Safety Group and introduces the Auckland Kindergarten Association centres’ new cybersafety policy and use agreements, so that everyone at the centres understands their rights and responsibilities around the use of ICT.
As part of the training, teachers work through a range of incident scenarios where the safety (and security) of staff and students at early childhood services may be compromised. The training also addresses the issue of the publication of student images and information on websites and blogs.
NetSafe’s Education Sector Manager Richard Beach says, “it is an encouraging move for AKA to proactively implement cybersafety policy, use agreements, and comprehensive training about cybersafety for all their staff. It shows that AKA are dedicated to making sure that staff and children are able to keep as safe as possible while making use of the wonderful learning opportunities that technology can bring.”
The training is delivered in three components which include a module which is delivered totally online via the internet. Auckland Kindergarten Association is the first provider of Early Childhood Education to put all of its members through all three training modules.
Release ends.
For further comment please contact:
Richard Beach (NetSafe) 021 506 783 or Ian Newson (Edict Systems) 021 263 8706
1. ICT includes computers, the internet, videos, mobile phones, gaming devices, digital cameras, etc.
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