Digital Learning
Digital Learning at Brookside
Digital Learning at Brookside College involves equipping students with the skills to be lifelong digital citizens. This means that students will use technology in a safe and responsible manner and learn essential skills such as collaboration, communication and creativity. In order to allow students to reach their fullest potential in Digital Learning, the College will be utilising EduPass and Microsoft365 as a tool for education.
In the previous few weeks, students in years Prep to Six have received their log in information for Reading Eggs and Mathletics. Reading Eggs makes reading real books, improving spelling skills and building reading comprehension highly engaging. The online reading program is packed with hundreds of interactive reading activities, online children’s books and literacy games. And it really works! Mathletics is a captivating online learning space providing students with all the tools they need to be successful learners, both in the classroom and beyond. These great inclusions to our learning programs at Brookside P-9 College allow children to build their learning at home.
Upcoming Events:
March 20th – Cyber Safety Parent Information Session.
This session will provide parents with information they need to build positive internet usage.
Digital Safety:
Unfortunately, the previous weeks have seen the Momo Challenge. Please see below to read the Office of the eSafety Commissioner’s statement regarding advice on the Momo Challenge.
Statement:
eSafety advice on the Momo Challenge.
It is very concerning when young people have been exposed to any content that scares them or plays on their emotions, like those reported via the Momo Challenge. Unfortunately, the Momo Challenge is not the first, nor will it be the last, harmful online “challenge” or phenomenon to target our children.
Our research shows 81% of parents hand their child an internet-connected device by the age of 4, so active parental engagement and oversight of a child’s online activities is critical from the start, to help ensure they are prepared for what they may encounter. As young people often do not have the maturity or judgement to cope with confronting content online, it’s important to guide and instil critical reasoning skills, so they are aware that not everything they see or receive online is real.
We encourage parents to co-view, co-play, ask questions about the games and apps they are using, and let them know you are there to support them if they are upset or uncomfortable about anything they see online.
Five top tips to help limit your child’s exposure to harmful content online:
- Engage in your child’s online activities – ask what apps, sites and games they’re using and make sure they’re age-appropriate
- Use parental controls on devices to help limit what your child is exposed to
- Let them know not everything they see online is real or true.
- Help them report and block upsetting content they see on social media sites or apps.
- Let them know they can come to you about anything upsetting they see online, and contact Kids Helpline if they need further support.
Parents who are concerned their child may be susceptible to self-harm should be aware of the signs to look out for and know where to go for help – see more info here: https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-the-office/newsroom/blog/is-your-child-at-risk-of-self-harm-or-suicide
Parents can visit www.esafety.gov.au/iparent for information and advice on keep your child safe online.