Safe Search Kids - Education, Parenting, Internet Safety for All

Understanding the principles of special education is a valuable skill set for any teacher, even if it is not the focus of their teaching career. In any classroom setting, there are going to be students that have unique needs. A knowledge of special education will not only enrich teaching practices but also ensures that all students receive the support essential for thriving.

Moreover, a study in special education creates a classroom culture of inclusivity and respect, where every student’s learning journey is valued and supported.

Understanding of Student Diversity

The foundation of effective teaching lies in recognizing and valuing the diversity of students’ learning needs. By studying special education, teachers gain deeper insights into the spectrum of these needs, encompassing everything from mild learning disabilities to more significant challenges. This enhanced understanding enables educators to appreciate the individual differences among their students, fostering a classroom environment that celebrates diversity and promotes equity.

When teachers understand the unique paths students take in their learning journeys, they are better equipped to tailor their instructional strategies to meet each student’s needs, ensuring no one is left behind.

Improved Classroom Strategies

Knowledge acquired through special education studies arms teachers with a robust toolkit of teaching strategies designed to address a wide range of learning preferences and challenges. These strategies may include differentiated instruction, the use of technology to enhance learning, and modifications to classroom environments that reduce distractions and promote focus.

By implementing these specialized techniques, teachers can create more inclusive classrooms where all students, regardless of their individual needs, have the opportunity to engage with the curriculum and achieve their full potential. This approach not only supports students with identified disabilities but also enhances the learning experience for the entire class.

Accessibility to Specialized Programs

The demand for specialized educational strategies and interventions is growing, emphasizing the need for teachers to have access to specialized training. Pursuing a special education Bachelors degree online from Wilson College offers a convenient and flexible route for educators wishing to deepen their expertise in this area. Online programs allow teachers to balance their professional responsibilities with their educational pursuits, making it easier to integrate new learning directly into their classroom practice.

This accessibility to specialized education not only benefits the individual teacher but also has a profound impact on the quality of education provided to students with special needs.

Legal and Ethical Knowledge

A critical component of special education training involves understanding the legal and ethical frameworks that govern the education of students with disabilities. Teachers must be familiar with legislation such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in the United States, which ensures students with disabilities are provided with a free appropriate public education.

By studying special education, teachers become knowledgeable about these legal requirements and the ethical considerations involved in providing equitable education. This knowledge is crucial for advocating for the rights of students with special needs and ensuring that all educational practices are compliant with current laws and ethical standards.

Enhanced Communication Skills

Effective communication is at the heart of successful education, and this is particularly true in the context of special education. Teachers must be able to communicate clearly and effectively with a variety of stakeholders, including students, parents, special education professionals, and other educators. Special education training enhances these communication skills, equipping teachers with the ability to convey complex information in accessible ways, listen actively to concerns, and collaborate effectively to develop and implement individualized education plans (IEPs).

Improved communication fosters stronger relationships between all parties involved in a student’s education, leading to better support and more positive outcomes for students with special needs.

Increased Patience and Empathy

Delving into special education cultivates patience and empathy, virtues indispensable to fostering a nurturing and supportive classroom environment. Teachers become more attuned to the individual struggles and strengths of each student, enabling them to approach teaching with greater compassion. This patience and empathy extend beyond academic support, helping students feel valued and understood.

The emotional and psychological support that stems from a teacher’s empathy can significantly impact students’ self-esteem and motivation, encouraging them to engage more fully in their learning.

Preparation for Inclusivity

Studying special education prepares teachers to implement inclusive education practices effectively. Inclusivity in education is about more than just physical presence in the classroom; it’s about ensuring that all students actively participate in learning and feel a sense of belonging. Armed with knowledge from special education, teachers can design lessons that are accessible to students with a wide range of abilities and learning styles, promoting an environment where differences are not just accommodated but celebrated.

This preparation is crucial for building classrooms that reflect the diversity of the world outside, teaching all students the value of diversity and inclusion.

Professional Growth and Career Opportunities

A background in special education not only enriches a teacher’s skill set but also opens up a myriad of professional growth and career opportunities. Educators with specialized knowledge in special education are highly sought after, as they can meet the diverse needs of students more effectively.

This specialization can lead to roles such as special education teacher, inclusion coordinator, or educational consultant, among others. Moreover, teachers with this expertise often take on leadership roles within their schools, guiding and training their colleagues in inclusive and differentiated instruction strategies.

Positive Impact on School Culture

Teachers trained in the principles of special education play a pivotal role in shaping a positive and inclusive school culture. Their commitment to meeting the needs of all students, regardless of their abilities, sets a powerful example for the entire school community. This influence can lead to broader acceptance and implementation of inclusive practices school-wide, promoting a culture of empathy, respect, and high expectations for all students. Such a culture not only benefits students with special needs but enriches the educational experience for the entire student body.

Personal Fulfillment

Beyond the professional advantages, studying special education offers a deep sense of personal fulfillment. Knowing that you have the skills and knowledge to make a meaningful difference in the lives of students with special needs is profoundly rewarding. Teachers often find that this area of study renews their passion for education, reminding them of the profound impact they can have on a student’s life. The challenges and successes experienced in special education can be uniquely satisfying, offering a sense of accomplishment that comes from overcoming obstacles and helping students achieve their full potential.

Conclusion

Every teacher can benefit from studying special education, as it equips them with the knowledge, skills, and perspectives needed to support all students effectively. From fostering empathy and patience to preparing for inclusivity and contributing to a positive school culture, the principles of special education are fundamental to creating equitable and effective learning environments. Moreover, the personal and professional growth that comes from this field of study offers lasting benefits, enriching teachers’ careers and lives. As education continues to evolve, the demand for teachers skilled in special education will only grow, highlighting the importance of this discipline in shaping the future of inclusive education.

Nurturing faith in children is a profound way to instill a sense of wonder, morality, and purpose in their lives. It’s not exclusively about religious faith but rather encompasses a broad spectrum of beliefs and values that guide us through life. This article aims to explore various strategies and approaches to foster a resilient, compassionate, and open-minded worldview in our youngsters.

Whether you adhere to a specific religion, spirituality, or humanistic values, instilling faith in children can empower them with the tools they need to face life’s challenges with grace and positivism.

Lead by Example

Children are incredibly observant and often mimic the beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors of their caretakers. Demonstrating your own commitment to a set of values or faith can inspire them and provide a tangible model for how those beliefs are lived out daily. It’s important to remember that you don’t have to be perfect; showing how you navigate through your mistakes within the framework of your faith is equally powerful and relatable for children as they learn about faith in action.

Setting an example through your actions and decisions can instill a deep sense of trust and admiration in children, shaping their understanding of faith through real-life experiences. By showcasing the principles you hold dear in various aspects of your life, you create a lasting impact that resonates far beyond words.

Encourage Questions and Exploration

Fostering an environment where questions are not only welcomed but encouraged can significantly impact a child’s faith development. This approach helps them understand that faith is a journey of continuous learning and growth, emphasizing the process of seeking understanding over simply having all the answers. For instance, encouraging children to engage in Christian topics for discussion can deepen their understanding and connection to their faith, creating a space where they feel comfortable expressing their doubts and curiosities. By nurturing curiosity and exploration, children can develop a resilient faith that evolves with them.

Encouraging children to ask questions fosters critical thinking and a deeper engagement with their faith, allowing them to develop a more profound connection to their beliefs through exploration and discovery. Embracing their inquiries with patience and openness nurtures a sense of independence and intellectual curiosity that strengthens their faith foundation.

Introduce them to a Community

Involving children in a community that shares your values or faith can provide them with a sense of belonging and support. Communities offer a diverse range of perspectives within the same faith structure, exposing children to the various ways beliefs can be expressed in people’s lives. This exposure can broaden their understanding and appreciation of faith diversity. Immersing children in a supportive community not only reinforces the values and teachings they receive at home but also exposes them to different interpretations and practices within their faith.

Being part of a community fosters social connections and a sense of unity, reinforcing the importance of shared beliefs and values in a broader context. Enrolling children into a school that incorporates religious studies into the curriculum is a great example of how to achieve this — TCEO schools based in Catholic faith offer a supportive environment for children to develop their beliefs alongside their learning.

Provide Resources

Offering a variety of resources such as books, stories, and media that align with your values can engage children in exploring those principles in practical ways. Whether it’s through age-appropriate literature, films, or interactive online content, these resources can spark meaningful conversations and reflections on profound topics in a format that resonates with children’s interests and curiosity.

Providing diverse resources tailored to children’s preferences and learning styles enriches their understanding of faith concepts and encourages them to explore different aspects of their beliefs through interactive and engaging mediums. By offering a range of materials that cater to their individual interests, you can ignite a passion for learning and self-discovery in children as they navigate their faith journey.

Create Rituals and Traditions

Establishing rituals and traditions can help ground a child’s life in the rhythm of their faith. These practices, whether observed daily, weekly, or annually, serve as consistent reminders of their beliefs and values. Additionally, rituals provide comfort and a sense of predictability that can be particularly reassuring for young minds, fostering a deeper connection to their faith. Introducing meaningful rituals and traditions into a child’s routine creates a sense of stability and continuity, embedding the principles of their faith into their everyday experiences. Through these rituals, children learn to appreciate the significance of their beliefs and develop a sense of identity rooted in their faith traditions.

Show Tolerance and Open-mindedness

Instilling values of tolerance and open-mindedness toward diverse beliefs and opinions is crucial in shaping a child’s perspective on faith. By teaching children that faith can manifest in various ways and that diversity in belief is enriching, you promote empathy, compassion, and understanding. This inclusive approach encourages children to embrace differences and cultivate a global mindset in today’s interconnected world.

Cultivating an environment of respect and acceptance for diverse perspectives empowers children to navigate the complexities of faith with an open heart and mind, fostering a spirit of inclusivity and mutual understanding. By nurturing a culture of tolerance and open-mindedness, you equip children with the tools to engage with diverse beliefs and practices, fostering a sense of unity and interconnectedness in a world rich with different faith traditions.

Nurturing faith in children is a multifaceted endeavor that encompasses leading by example, encouraging exploration, engaging with communities, providing diverse resources, establishing meaningful rituals, and promoting tolerance. By adopting these strategies, parents and guardians can lay a strong foundation for their children’s spiritual and moral growth while exploring academic excellence.

The key is to approach this process with openness, patience, and adaptability, recognizing that each child’s faith journey is unique. In doing so, we not only guide them in developing a profound sense of faith and purpose but also equip them to face life’s challenges with resilience and grace.

Ultimately, fostering faith in children is about nurturing their overall well-being and helping them cultivate a compassionate, understanding, and open-minded view of the world around them.

Welcome to Part 2 in our series of scams to be aware of. With a bit of knowledge and some common sense,  you can be equipped to protect your identity, your devices, and your bank account.  I’m sure scammers sleep, but their schemes and systems set in motion that attempt to infiltrate cyber security forces, do not.

Some scams are carried out in person with a live scammer on the phone. Or, they may be on the other side of a text.  However, many scams are spam emails, spam texts, robocalls, fake websites, malware and virus attachments.  Some even involve mail fraud.   The list of of old and new scams seem endless but before you panic, take a deep breath.

There are simple things you can learn that apply common sense to prevent you from being fooled.  So, let’s get into it shall we?

Imposter Scams

Imposter scams, also known as impersonation scams, are scams involving cybercriminals who are pretending to be someone, or something, they are not. The most commonly reported impersonation that scammers will utilize is that of a government official.  Other examples are a scammer posting as someone you work with or trust, such as a bank, technology company, or a relative.

Signs of an imposter scams is a sense of urgency to act now to avoid of being arrested, threats of account deactivation, or additional fees being charged. Threatening language and requesting payment in obscure ways, such as with a gift card, are also common signs of an imposter scam.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is also being used to make these scams more authentic by cloning voices or creating deepfake videos.

Wrong Number Text Scams

Receiving unsolicited phone calls from unknown numbers has been common for years.  Recently, text messages from unknown numbers or entities are on the rise. Often, the messages appear to be mistakenly sent. Many people may text back with “wrong number”, but this will only verify your number to scammers. Never respond to these messages or you will begin to receive more of them.

Unsuspecting receivers of these messages who beginning communicated with the scammer will eventually receive a malicious link after trust is gained. Never click any link sent to you in a text unless you verify that you are in fact speaking to someone you know. Confirm with them if they sent you the link.

Scammers may send messages for days or weeks before doing anything suspicious.  When you receive these messages, check for blocking or reporting options on your mobile phone.

Deepfake Scams

These types of scams are also known as synthetic media or an imposter scam. A deepfake is a type of artificial intelligence that uses machine learning algorithms to manipulate images, audio or videos.  You may receive an email from your friend or boss, followed up by a phone call where the scammer has used AI to mimic their voice. Video is often used on social media to give credibility to an offer in an advertisement.

To help spot a video deepfake, experts recommend looking for irregular blinking and eye motion, inconsistent lip synching, flickering around the edges of the subject, and odd-looking teeth.

To help spot an audio deepfake, experts recommend listening for irregular high and low pitches within the audio, lack of background noise, and awkward pauses.

If you received a frantic phone call from a family member in trouble and something seems off, let them know you want to verify that it’s really them calling. Ask them a few questions that a scammer could not possibly know.  Such as, what is the color and year of your car?  Where did we go on vacation last year?  Or, name three of your best friends.

Mail-in Scams

Most people may not think of a scam coming in your mailbox.  We are so used to junk mail that much of it is thrown away.  But just like phishing through an email, scammers send out bulk mail in hopes of catching someone who is not paying close attention. It may be a fake bill stating that you are behind in your mortgage, or a fake utility bill requesting payment on a fake website or by mailing payment directly.

Fraudulent mail may also come as handwritten notes from a scammer pretending to be a friend.  Think of all the ways phishing emails you receive. These can just as easily come in the form of junk male.   A scam known as the “Hard Luck Story” takes the form of a scammer impersonating a friend or stranger needing assistance, but this letter is really coming from a scammer.

Social Media Phishing Attacks

Most of us feel comfortable on social media.  After all, it’s where we connect with friends and family. There is also the potential to make new friends in community groups.  The more relaxed we are in the social media environment, the easiest it is for cybercriminals to scam us.

These scams are dangerous for both an individual and an organization. The takeover of a business or brand’s social media account by cybercriminals can have devastating consequences.  Many social media phishing attacks begin with cybercriminals gathering publicly available information.  They will use this to fool you into clicking a link or forwarding a message to all your friends.

Use the privacy controls on personal and business social media accounts to keep personal information out of public view.  Including your location, full name, and lists of connections.  You can also take from the SLAM Method (used to inspect possible phishing emails) and adapt it to social media.

Social Media Cyber Safety

Fake Customer Service Accounts

Scammers will create fake customer service social media accounts of real companies and respond to help requests with a link to fake login pages where they can steal the user’s credentials or ask for payment for repair services.

Reporting all unusual activity you notice or suspect on social media helps keep the whole community safe.

Account Hijacking

Account hijacking happens when someone gains unauthorized access to a user’s social media account, usually through a weak password. Hijacked accounts are actively used by scammers to impersonate the user, send phishing messages to followers, post harmful content, or steal the user’s personal information.

Malicious links that could infect your device with viruses or malware can also come through social media via messages, comments, and posts by other users. If hacked, your account can be used to distribute scams and malware to your friends.

How to Prevent Account Hacking

Scammers often use information from multiple online profiles, such as answers to common security questions, to gain access to your other accounts.  Disconnecting third-party apps that you no longer use can help keep your social media account secure.

Don’t use the same password for all your social media accounts. Using the same password across multiple platforms means if a hacker uncovers your password to one account, they also gain access to any additional accounts that use the same password.

Learn how my daughter’s Instagram account was hacked because of malicious link:

Teach the SLAM Method reviewed in part 1 to children so they won’t become another victim of a scamming text that preys on emotions.

Visual Spoofing

Visual spoofing is an action performed by a cybercriminal to disguise a website or email.  Domain spoofing can also occur when a website is made to look like a legitimate website. Link in emails can also be cleverly disguised to catch you off guard.  Looking closely at the URL will reveal that there are additional characters in the domain that seem to fit at first glance.

Scammers may also use different characters from other languages or accents over letters in the domain name. Something as simple as using the capital letter O instead of the number 0 can fool people.

Scammers don’t stop there.  If you happen to end up on one of the scam websites, it may be copied from the original website to look real, including the design and products listed.

Be cautious of all links. It’s always better to access any website directly instead of clicking a link.  Look for fake logos, poor website design or spelling errors.  Keep your browser up to date allowing for automatic updates for all software and operating systems on your devices.

Pig Butchering Scam

This sounds like a weird name for a scam.  In pig butchering scams, the scammer first builds trust through a new business relationship or friendship.  It can happen through email or text.  So, just like a farmer fattens up a pig before it’s time to send it to the butcher, the scammer is prepared their victim to eventually give them money.

Typically, they use the lure of guaranteed quick profits from cryptocurrency investments to convince the victim to invest.  If you find yourself in this situation, conversations may go on for weeks or months until your defenses are totally down and you won’t think twice about investing or helping your new friend.

Be cautious of “wrong number” text scams, which may be a ploy to start a friendly conversation and eventually launch the scam.

Formjacking Scams

In a formjacking scam, cybercriminals target a website and insert malicious code to skim sensitive information from the sites form pages.  Form pages can be anything, from a basic contact form to an online shopping cart, or payment form.

The information that scammers are after are passwords, login credentials, and payment information. These can include bank account numbers and credit card data.

Unfortunately, consumers are at the mercy of companies to ensure their forms are not being used to skim information.  There’s no way of knowing is a web form is compromised or not, even for the most tech savvy person.

However, there are ways to mitigate the effects in the event your data is skimmed.

Best Practices for Protection Include:

Monitoring your credit card statements, banks accounts, and credit scores for unauthorized, unfamiliar and suspicious activity.

Use banking apps that alert you through SMS or push notifications in real time about transactions made on your account.

Notify your bank as soon as possible if you noticed fraudulent transactions.

Using multi-factor authentication on all accounts when possible.

These methods won’t stop form jacking but they make it difficult for criminals to siphon funds from a compromised account.

Signing up for identity theft protection that monitors your credit score, will let you know about changes connected to your finances.  For example, it will email you when a new account is opened in your name.  These services also identity theft insurance and provide services to help you clean up the mess made some any cyber breach that causes you financial harm.

Common Sense for Common Scams – Wrap Up

There will never be a shortage of scams to write about.  As technology grows and changes, someone somewhere in the world is thinking about a new year to use it for malicious purposes.  However, we hope you have seen a common theme of how some basic tips, combined with common sense, can help to be prepared. Always take a second look when something strange comes to you in an email, a text, or app.

Learn more about Scams – Part 1 and Creative Scams Part 3

The impact of artificial intelligence (AI) is indisputable. It’s reshaping the daily lives of people, including children, at a rapid pace. While AI holds promise in offering quick assistance for everyday life, there’s much more to understand. As a parent, knowing the complexities of AI tools is crucial to your child’s education.

With tools like ChatGPT becoming more popular among children, controlling the use of AI for academic purposes is vital to ensure responsible use, while preventing them from cheating and derailing the learning process.

What Is AI?

AI refers to a computer’s ability to process requests and generate responses. It’s modeled after the human brain — it gathers information, sorts details and makes them immediately available to the user. The goal is to recognize patterns based on large amounts of data and make decisions like humans. However, it can’t relate to people’s life experiences.

This technology has been present since the mid-1950s. Today, AI-powered tools are quickly becoming a part of everyday life. Companies use AI in many different ways, from Spotify using AI to recommend music based on your listening habits, to customer service chatbots generating a response based on a database of information.

How Do Children and Teens Use AI?

AI can be more than a helping tool for children and teenagers, allowing them instant access to loads of information.  However, problems arise when AI is used by students to take shortcuts, resulting in a deficiency in their education.  Simply put, the process of learning includes doing assignments and creatively thinking for themselves.

Here are some common ways teens are using this technology:

Improve Writing

AI-powered technologies like Trinka and Grammarly can help detect spelling and grammar errors and make suggestions on improving writing. Many students use these tools when crafting essays and other school assignments.

In worse cases, some children might use platforms like ChatGPT to write essays for them. This is cheating.

Perform Research

According to the Pew Research Center, about one in five teenagers familiar with ChatGPT have used it for schoolwork. It can be misused by students who don’t want to do their work, but it can also be used as an aid in research.

Students can use AI like a search engine to gather research or summarize information into simpler terms. While this can help save time, it is not always reliable. It’s important to double check any information the program gives you to make sure it’s accurate.

Acquire and Enhance New Knowledge

AI tools can provide access to training and education from all over the world, supporting your child’s self-directed learning. It allows schools to create personalized educational programs for students based on learning history or weaknesses.

AI-powered apps can even help them learn a new language. Duolingo provides a gamified way for kids to acquire one of the 40 languages available.

This technology can also improve your child’s knowledge about a specific topic. Gizmo is a tool that allows kids to recall everything they learn in an interactive and fun manner — just paste the study notes the app will use to create a quiz.

Can Parents Trust AI?

Reliance on AI technologies can yield positive and negative outcomes. Its increasing usefulness can increase your teen’s productivity and inform their decision-making. These tools can help motivate kids to learn more, as it offers new ways to explore the world around them.

However, the proliferation of AI emphasizes privacy and safety issues. AI-powered platforms often collect personal data without people knowing it and follow your teen’s every move online, making them a target of relentless advertising campaigns. Like any technology, AI tools can also be used maliciously.

To trust a technology that’s slowly dominating the world, you need ways to ensure your child remains safe from the possible pitfalls of AI usage.

Strategies for Safe and Responsible Use of AI

AI has already infiltrated society and the online world. You may not realize it, but your children have likely already used AI tools or encountered AI-generated content online. Now is the time to sit down with your kids to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this technology.

1.    Teach How to Manage Online Privacy

Clearing browser history and managing cookies can help block websites from accessing online activity. Teach younger kids to avoid sharing personal details like full name, phone number, address and financial information without your knowledge.

2.    Explain Plagiarism

Help older kids understand the value of original work. AI tools like ChatGPT can easily prompt students to copy and paste AI-generated output on their homework to finish work faster. Explain how copying the ideas of others, including AI, without giving proper credit is wrong and might be illegal.

3.    Think Critically

The speed of AI tools might be incredible, but like people, they can make mistakes. Remind your child to double-check factual information and consider acquiring different perspectives from other sources before reaching conclusions.

4.    Expand Their Horizons

Encourage your child to use other resources to avoid overdependence on AI tools. Explain the value of research, journals, books and professional insights. Introduce educational AI tools that complement their learning, and consider blocking access to some platforms.

5.    Discuss The Dangers

AI tools will continue to be used in irresponsible ways. The results can include fake new articles, deep fake images of real people, edited text, videos or photos and more. Do some research on how to spot AI-generated content online, and show your children examples. Tell them to report any cases of bullying they see using AI, such as fake photos used to mock or harass them or their classmates.

Navigate the AI World Responsibly

Modern technologies like AI are opening up learning and development opportunities for students. However, it’s not without its downsides. Following these strategies can help ensure your child’s safety while interacting with AI.

Author bio:  Cora Gold is the Editor-in-Chief of women’s lifestyle magazine, Revivalist. She strives to live a happy and healthy life with her family by her side.

Watch How to Properly use AI in Education