Curate Classroom Content Infographic

Graphic illustration reminding teachers who manages classroom content.

As a private K-8 school, we are more vigilant about the type of content students are accessing than a public high school or college. We want to protect our students from improper web, photo and video search results. This means that teachers should not allow students to conduct open ended search queries on the Internet.

While the Internet is overflowing with quality resources, as elementary and middle school teachers we are responsible for teaching students HOW to discern quality content. We do not ask a seven year old to read War and Peace or use sharp scissors, so why would we expect them to wisely wander the Internet?

Of course this makes researching a bit trickier. Teachers need to provide students with a specific set or range of websites that students can use. How this bookmark list is provided to students will be covered in another infographic.

Elementary and middle school teachers should focus on developing students' content discernment skills. I suggest including a couple poor content sites (but not inappropriate) in any bookmarked list. It is easier for children to sort and categorize the quality of eight to ten web sites than half a million search engine results.

As part of my computer curriculum, we learn Internet search skills. Every time we use a browser, I remind students that the Internet is a public place. Just like when the class goes on a field trip we stick together and do not go wandering off. They are also reminded that they should never browse the Internet without a parent's permission.