The remarkable growth of the Internet and World Wide Web is having a profound effect on mass communication. This series of three, half-hour programs explores how people are using the Internet, and tries to understand the psychological and personal implications of online activity. The programs are hosted by Athabasca University’s Dr. Jayne Gackenbach, a psychologist and writer/lecturer, who leads viewers through a number of case studies and expert interviews on various topics concerning Internet communication.
Subjects: Internet
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My Blog: Internet Bullies? (Just A Click Away)
For many kids, the Internet is an important part of their daily routine. Unfortunately, with the immediacy of the Internet, its anonymity and it’s easy accessibility, kids are using Instant Messaging, Blogs, e-mail, chat rooms and social networks to spread gossip and rumors to harass and embarrass their peers. In this program, students will come to understand that using the Internet for those purposes is actually bullying.
True to life scenarios demonstrate practical ways for students to protect themselves and restrict the opportunities others have of harassing them online. -
Developing a Website
Website design and development is an exciting, highly creative industry that continues to grow at a rapid rate. This interview-led program looks at the key considerations involved when developing a website. We examine internet basics, planning a website, designing and constructing a website, and website testing. Interviewed for the program include leading website development experts Karl Ervine, IT lecturer at Victoria University, David Graves, Creative director of GWS Media and John Anderton, CEO of Butterfly Internet. Ideal for senior secondary and TAFE in the fields of information technology, graphic design and business, it provides great advice and tips on how to build a well functioning, user-friendly and attractive website.
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Safety Net
Safety Net is a new program which sets out to explain what the internet is, where the potential dangers lie and how to reduce exposure to them.
Topics covered include:
– The Internet described.
– Email and chat rooms: being careful about distributing your address.
– Knowing who you’re talking to, being discreet, knowing who could see your information.
– Social networks: how to use them, what not to publish, commercial use of your information, internet dating.
– Online bullying: who to trust and how to be safe.
– Technical safety: Firewall, viruses, malware and spyware, sites to avoid.
– Privacy: understanding issues of personal privacy. -
Learning With Wikis and Blogs
Wikis and blogs are becoming increasingly available on the Internet for anyone to read or create their own. They are also increasingly being used as teaching tools in the classroom. In this program, we discuss what wikis and blogs are and the differences between them. Students and teachers alike will see how these tools can be used in education, through various examples of use in the classroom. Viewers also meet the CEO and founder of edublogs.com, John Farmer, who demonstrates how easy it is to create your very own wikis and blogs. This is a fascinating look at how incorporating these online tools into teaching and learning can enhance and encourage participation in any classroom.
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Ten Mistakes Web Sites Still Make
Strategies for demystifying baffling navigation, maximizing use of space, improving search tools, unearthing buried treasure, translating “site speak” into your target’s language, and revving up flat content by making use of the Web’s special powers.
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User-Generated Content
Use social media to engage your readers in repurposing and integrating your Web content in ways that serve your mutual goals. Learn commonsense principles for encouraging your users to build out your site through blogs, reviews, viral marketing, and more.
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Using Web Metrics
We all have technology in place to track Web statistics. But interpreting the data and acting on it to improve our sites is challenging. Learn what Key Performance Indicators you should track, who should see the data, and how to analyze it against your performance goals.
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Video Strategies: What’s Working Today
Whether you’re a novice and learning how to cost effectively build the infrastructure for video capability at your site, or you’re experienced and exploring new strategies such as video distribution, get tips on new practices that draw and engage more users.