Health and Safety

When uttered together, these three words can bring forth images of mind-numbing office training days. We all know exactly the thing: A David Brent character, named something appallingly irritating like Nigel, will come to our place of work and bleat at us about the importance of the correct chair height and the perils of carpal tunnel syndrome. Or maybe that is just my experience?



BUT

For the purposes of our discussion in today’s seminar, we took these three words out of that context, and put the two important words into a very different one: our school environment.

Very specifically, we are talking here about the health of children when using ICT, and their safety while doing so.

Let me be very clear at this point – as jovial as a workplace seminar can be, there is nothing more serious than a teacher’s responsibility for the health, safety and well-being of the children in his or her care. As a teacher, I will consider it one of my highest priorities to ensure that I am appropriately informed and skilled in all aspects of Health and Safety, to guarantee that the kids in my class, and in my school are given the best care possible.

HEALTH

The Health aspect can be seen in a number of ways. The questions that come to mind here are more to do with the appropriateness of resources, and the supervision of children using them. But there is another point here. I didn’t know until today that if I sat staring at a computer screen for longer than 40 minutes, this can be unhealthy. (I must admit at this point, that this is something of which I am guilty of, both in the past and indeed the very very present!)

Children should be encouraged to take regular breaks. Eyestrain can cause a number of issues, including short sightedness. When teaching a session in an ICT suite, we can ensure children focus on both the screen in front of them, as well as looking into the distance.

Using the correct equipment goes a long way to avoid the other health issues. Ergonomically designed chairs, wrist supports and keyboards can be made available to prevent RSI or carpel tunnel and back strain.

The following websites are produced by Local Authorities, and contain more information on these health issues, and others, and how to prevent them:

Warwickshire
East Riding of Yorkshire
Kent Web Trust


Other websites include BBC Bitesize, which offers this advice for combating health issues in an ICT setting for GCSE level. Yes, this is pointed at an older age group, but is a useful snapshot resource for teachers.

SAFETY

Keeping our children 'safe' online is a HUGE issue. When we give children access to the internet, we are exposing them to one of the best, most efficient and diverse resources in history. And it's growing every day. The advantages are huge. It is an amazing learning resource. It is fun, it is totally up-to-date. It is dynamic, and it lets kids see so many things that they previously had no or very limited access to.

But with all of these great points, come some dangers. There are risks for all of us when using the internet, and there are risks that are very particular for children.

DATA

Keep it safe, keep it a secret!
Make sure your passwords for EVERYTHING are kept to yourself. An analogy I really liked was, if someone else used your toothbrush, would you get a new one? Of course, children will register their disgust with this idea and say "Of course!". Well, the same applies to all your passwords.



Think U Know have a great resources section for teachers on how to keep you class informed and safe online.



The London Grid for Learning has a great flyer for parents on e-safety and how to ensure this is maintained in the home, as well as at school.



CEOP - the police developed this site so that children could report anything they
encountered online that they were worried about.



Beat Bullying, the national charity dedicated to eradicating bullying in our schools, has developed the CyberMentors website. It gives advice to schools, pupils and parents on how to keep safe online, and what to do if they feel worried, or in danger about anything they have seen on the internet. Their Safety Centre is certainly worth a look.



Pupils at Oaks Park High School in Redbridge London made their special E-safety version of Little Red Riding Hood, which was designed to explain e-safety in a child-centric and -friendly way.

http://www.kidsmart.org.uk/beingsmart/