Your photos online may also show where you and your children live

I came across this rather worrying news item today that I believed to be worth sharing. I kind of knew this but the full possibilities hadn't really sunk in. When posting digital photographs on the internet we may also be posting personal information that in included in the photo data. It may be possible ( and easy) for this photo to provide someone with information about where you live. The video includes information on how to change the settings in your phone or camera to make it safer. Of course we should always be aware of what information we are sending out to the public. For instance it makes me nervous when my children "check in" at a particular address on Facebook. Personally I dont want people to know whether or not I am home. If I want them to know I am in a particular place I make sure the post goes only to selected people or I text them - yes I know texting is almost old-fashioned now. Anyway, have a look at this

I really enjoy looking at ECE Online, a website from Core Ed.

There are now a number of resources here where you can look at different ideas, have discussions and become inspired.

I thoroughly recommend this site for ECE teachers looking to expand their horizons in ICT and to Primary teachers to have an insight into what at least some of our ECE children are doing before they reach school.

Take a look at this short video about the value of using real apps rather than gimmicky cartoony ones with young children and see what you think.

Authentic apps in the early years from EDtalks on Vimeo.

Getting the blog more up to date

Woohoooo! Three posts in a month!

Guess that's what is possible when not worrying about a thesis

Online learning stories and portfolios

I have been very focused lately on e-portfolios, both for student teachers and for children. It seems like opportunities to explore these are coming at me in all directions. That means I need to spend some time on that topic I think.

The Ministry of Education has some interesting information and links here.

While playing around a bit I came across Storypark. 

This is a NZ made option for online stories and portfolios for children. I havent yet had time for more than a short play but so far I am quite impressed. I have sent out feelers through my networks to ask what others think too.

It has a 1 month free trial option which means I will get to play a lot more to try it out. Any system set up by someone else will have gaps in covreing what you want to be able to do but I like the ease of use, the fact that it is free for parents and very inexpensive for centres. There is a lot of information about cyber safety that links back to Netsafe.

I like the fact that a team can work together on stories and parents can see the stories on a computer, tablet or phone.

I will be playing further to test it out and please let me know if you have any comments about it.