What Teachers think of Safe Social Networking

Aline van Duyn is the US Communications Editor for the Financial Times. In his recent article, "Safety-first web policy that lets skills slip through the net" he writes about his 6 year old son:

"Less than a month after his sixth birthday, my son had to sign a contract. He carefully wrote his name in block capitals at the bottom of a two-page document, agreeing to adhere to his Manhattan school's guidelines on computer use. One of the most important rules was that he would not access social networking websites such as Club Penguin and Webkins, both aimed at young children."

Van Duyn quite rightly goes on to draw attention to the dangers for children in social networks sites such as Myspace, Bebo and Club Penguin. None of these sites currently validate their members ages effectively, so 10 year old children are able to lie about their age and get into Myspace, while adult predators can easily infiltrate Club Penguin.

Myspace recently admitted they have 29,000 sex offenders among their membership - and presumably those were just the stupid ones who gave Myspace their real names or traceable contact details when they singed up!

Yes, it's dangerous out there, but there is a safe alternative for children. Over 13,000 British teachers have approved SuperClubsPLUS.com (for primary schools) and GoldStarCafe.net (for secondary schools) - as safe social learning networks for their pupils.

Van Duyn suggests that children banned from social networks might be missing out on learning important skills:

"The issue facing schools - as well as many workplaces that routinely restrict access to similar sites - is whether they are missing out on the benefits of social networking tools."

He quotes such skills as: communication, creativity, collaboration and leadership skills and technology proficiency.

He's right! Teachers using SuperClubsPLUS and GoldStarCafe have found that students do learn important skills, but there's more! In a recent independent research study, The Scottish Government agency, Learning Teaching Scotland, looked at the impact of the use of SuperClubsPLUS on teaching and learning. The findings are nothing short of remarkable:

• A stunning 100% of teacher respondents said that it improved pupils interest in learning.
  
• 92% of teachers found that use of SuperClubsPLUS in their classrooms had significant impact or some impact on their teaching.
  
• 98% said that it had significant or some impact on their pupils’ learning behaviour.
  
• Most teachers felt SuperClubsPLUS had raised attainment, added a new dimension to classroom practice, helped them to engage more with their pupils and encouraged their pupils to address school work.
  
• Nearly all parents believed that SuperClubsPLUS had improved their child’s interest in learning, raised their attainment and encouraged parents to collaborate with their children on school work.

UK schools are making space in the classrooms for safe social learning networks and the children are definitely reaping the benefits.

www.SuperClubsPLUS.com
www.GoldStarCafe.net