ETL523 – Reflecting on creating an online safety guide for Students

Creating an online safety guide for students was both rewarding and challenging. As I reflect on the process, the most challenging part was ensuring the content was both informative and engaging while addressing important topics like cyberbullying, online safety, identity theft, and the ethical implications of AI in the virtual world.

In developing this website, I had to carefully research each topic to ensure accuracy and relevance to students’ lives. Balancing the depth of information with student-friendly language was a constant challenge. Additionally, finding appropriate resources and videos that would connect with students proved to be a time-consuming task.  Thinking about digital citizenship provided valuable insights for a teacher librarian. It highlighted the importance of educating students about their rights and responsibilities in the digital world. It also emphasised the need for critical thinking skills when navigating online spaces and interacting with others.

As a future teacher librarian, the learning from this project can be translated back to my own school in several ways. Firstly, I could organise workshops for students to raise awareness about online safety and responsible digital citizenship. These sessions could include discussions and real-life scenarios to engage students and deepen their understanding.  Secondly, I could collaborate with teachers to integrate digital citizenship lessons into the curriculum. By embedding these topics into various subject areas, students can see the relevance of digital citizenship in their everyday lives.  Lastly, I could provide resources and support for classroom teachers to enhance their own digital literacy skills. This may involve offering professional development sessions, sharing useful online tools and resources, and facilitating discussions on best practices for incorporating technology in the classroom.

In conclusion, creating an informative website for students online safety was a challenging yet fulfilling experience. Through this project, I gained valuable insights into digital citizenship and its implications for students’ online behaviour. Moving forward, I look forward to applying these learnings in my role as a future teacher librarian to promote a safer and more responsible digital environment for both students and teachers.