W11 - Uses and abuses of the Internet: How to develop savvy learners in the wired classroom

Dr Angeline Khoo

A new generation of children is growing up with the Internet. These children, socialized to be comfortable with computers, can access information literally at a touch of their fingertips. They wander effortlessly through the Internet, which has often been compared to that of a virtual city. However, while streets of knowledge and information abound in cyberspace, there are also dark alleys where temptations and dangers lurk. The first part of this one-day workshop discusses the social and psychological impact of the Internet on children and teenagers. Participants will discuss both the advantages as well as the problems and potential dangers of the Internet. Such issues include blogging and privacy, cyberbullying, pornography and cybersex. The workshop also addresses digital gaming which is fast becoming an important part of children and teenagers’ lives. The final part of the workshop discusses how teachers can play a part in ensuring that children reap the best of the online world safely.

Objectives

  1. Participants understand why the Internet and digital games are important in the lives of children and teenagers
  2. Participants understand how people can behave differently when they are online
  3. Participants understand how misuse of the Internet can pose real dangers to the unwary
  4. Participants find innovative means of communicating these issues to children and teenagers

Contents

  1. Introduction
    • Why the Internet is important to teenagers
    • Research evidence in Singapore on Internet use - a comparison of parents and children’s perspectives
    • Control vs education
  2. Information
    • Misinformation - Kinds of misinformation and hoaxes on the Net
    • Privacy - Privacy issues surrounding the use of the Net
    • Hate on the Net
  3. Online lifestyle
    • Disinhibited Internet behaviour
    • Blogs
    • Cyberbullying
    • Online dating
  4. Sexuality
    • Pornography
    • Chatrooms and cybersex
  5. Digital games
    • Benefits of playing digital games
    • Problems and dangers: Aggression and addiction
  6. Communicating to children and teenagers regarding Internet issues
    • Sexuality issues
    • Internet laws
    • Helping parents on internet parenting

Profile of trainer

Dr Angeline KhooDr Angeline Khoo (BA Hons, University of Singapore, M.Ed National University of Singapore, PhD Australian National University) is a tenured staff member of the Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, and has been lecturing for over fifteen years on core modules in pre-service teacher education as well as postgraduate and inservice diploma courses. Before joining the University in 1990, she was a secondary school teacher who was active in helping at-risk youth. Her current research interests include social identity and self-categorization, delinquency, prosocial behaviour, internet issues and behaviour, and the effects of playing digital games. She has published articles on pastoral care, sexuality education, delinquency and Internet safety in international and professional journals. She presents papers regularly at both local and international conferences. She has served as the chairman of the Education subcommittee of the Parents Advisory Group for the internet (PAGi) for 6 years. She played a key role in helping PAGi develop resource materials on Internet issues and is a much sought-after speaker on this topic. She also volunteers in the Film Consultative Committee and Committee for Smoking Control. She is a member of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, the Singapore Planned Parenthood Association, the Singapore Psychological Society and the Society of Australasian Social Psychologists.

How to Order Workshop

If you’re interested to order any of these workshops, please contact Dr Ng Aik Kwang, Director, The Idea Resort.

Email:

Hp: 9780 2202 / 9118 3014

Workshop duration

1 Day - 9am to 5pm