Barbados’ leading telecommunication provider is encouraging teachers, parents and students to think about internet safety as it relates to online classes.
With face-to-face learning on pause and social distancing protocols in place, Flow recently hosted a virtual forum in conjunction with the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) to reinforce best-practices for safe and secure online learning.
“Students and teachers are spending more and more time online and this has the potential to create some digital dilemmas. Some are ongoing considerations such as creating a positive digital footprint while other dilemmas can develop over time such as problematic gaming or internet use,” said Marilyn Sealy, Senior Manager, Communications, Flow.
“There are also more acute concerns that require action such as cyberbullying, sexting and accessing inappropriate content. As this is still a relatively new teaching environment, we are keen to explore the ways in which we can provide even greater support to teachers going forward.”
The message comes against the backdrop of Safer Internet Day, which was this year celebrated on February 9 under the theme ‘Together for a better internet’.
During the session, which was facilitated by Flow’s tech expert Greg Morris, the company encouraged teachers to embrace technology and familiarise themselves as much as possible with the inner workings of Google’s eLearning platform G-suite for Education while following guidelines as set out by the Ministry of Education.
In addition to providing tips for livestreaming and recording sessions, the telecoms provider said teachers should themselves be internet role models for their students by carefully considering their own digital identity and security habits.
“From a service provider perspective, it is our ultimate hope that our teachers will reinforce internet safety and they will be better equipped to act if students or parents approach them with any issues especially as it relates to cyberbullying or destructive online behaviour,” added Sealy.
Herbert Gittens, General Secretary of the BUT, thanked Flow for what he described as a “timely and informative” presentation.
“We enjoy a good working relationship with Flow and I am happy they are engaging teachers and education officials, especially at this time with the emergence of online teaching. As we are all striving to deliver the highest quality education for our young people, sustained collaboration between all stakeholders is necessary and this of course includes the internet service providers,” he said.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Flow has also been working closely with the Ministry of Education, the Barbados Union of Teachers and the Barbados Secondary Teachers’ Union to increase home internet speeds for all teachers who are customers of the company, in addition to donating devices to schools and individual students in need. (PR)
