Saturday, July 4, 2015

The Case of the Cyber Criminal - Phishing and Pharming

Learning to be safe online is a challenge that we all face today. One way or another we have all been tricked to open an email that we thought was from someone we knew. This assignment allowed for the students in this class to work as a group and present their findings on digital safety covering the following topics: Fair User Practices and Copyright issues, Cyber Bullying, Textual Harassment and Sexting. These topics fit perfectly into our unit because as educators, we need to understand how to deal with these issues in the classroom.

My content area is Language Arts. A great way to incorporate digital safety into my lesson would be at the point when my students are required to conduct research. I see this as a time to introduce safety while on the Internet. I also plan to bring awareness to my students through character development by discussing Cyber Bullying, Textual Harassment and Sexting. These issues will be discussed through journal writing and class discussion. 

Our group presented the topic on Phishing and Pharming. We collaborated online by using the tools you provided in this class. We used Google docs to store all our information and collaborate  We used Emaze to present our information to the class. We also used the various search engines when conducting our research. Phishing and Pharming according to Phishing.org, is described as a scam that uses fake emails and websites to lure unsuspecting victims to voluntarily hand over sensitive personal information. As technology advances, the Phishers and Pharmers techniques advance too.

Cyber criminals are out to get as much information as they can from individuals. In our presentation, we discussed methods that Phishers use to lure users into their scam. Spehere Phishing involves receiving information from an individual who is familiar with your information. Every thing sounds legitimate. Internet users have to remember, if you are not expecting an email from this individual, if you don’t know the individual, don’t open the email. Don’t respond. If they are requesting banking or personal information, contact your bank and report the email.  

According to Pharming and Phishing.com, Pharming as we described in our presentation as the evil twin or cousin of Phishing, redirects the users to a DNS system, which then takes the user to a fake website to try and steal the users personal information. The key take away on this presentation, is if the users is unsure, don’t give your information to anyone.

Overall, the presentations in the class were excellent and provided me with valuable information that I can now carry into the classroom for my students to be vigilant users of the Internet! The only suggestion I would make is allow one group to present per day. This allows for more detailed discussion in the class.

Below is a youtube video which summarizes what I just discussed in my essay. 




References
History of Phishing. (n.d.). Retrieved June 18, 2015, from http://www.phishing.org/history-of-phishing/ 
Phishing and Pharming Information Site. (n.d.). Retrieved July 1, 2015
Spam and Phishing in the First Quarter of 2015. (n.d.). Retrieved July 1, 2015, from https://securelist.com/analysis/quarterly-spam-reports/69932/spam-and-phishing-in-the-first-quarter-of-2015/
Navigation Menu 1. (n.d.). Retrieved June 29, 2015, from http://www.infosec.gov.hk/english/anti/phishing.html 
Business Crime - Phishing & Pharming. (n.d.). Retrieved July 5, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3hK0PuSkhw



Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Savvy Tech Tee

Hafa Adai class and welcome to my blog. My Name is Taniya S.B. I'm excited to start the 2015-2016 school year! 

Thank you Dr. Cyrus for introducing us to all these exciting tools. Now its time for me to shine and show you what I have learned. You can start by pressing play on the video below. 


Saturday, June 27, 2015

Amazing - Google Apps, LiveBinder, Moodle and EMAZE -5 out of 5



There are just so many cool things you can incorporate into your lesson.
I created a presentation using slides from google to provide you with my rating and reasons for each tool. Before my presentation starts, please click on the image on the introduction page. This should play background music while my presentation plays. I hope you enjoy my assessment.





Haiku deck
Moodle
Emaze
Livebinders
Firefox
Google Apps
Wix
Emaze


Friday, June 26, 2015

Making a difference through technology



According to the division of special education website, IDEA defines an assistive technology device as: “any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. [20 U.S.C. Chapter 33, Section 1401 (25)]. This definition is broad and includes a range of devices from low technology to high technology items as well as software” (Division of Special Education, 2015). 

Who picks up the cost for these items? Understood.org explains, in this case it would depend on how much the school or doctor says the learning disability will affect the child in the classroom. If the child qualifies for special education program and the required AT device is listed in the IEP or the 504 plan, the student has no cost. Other possibilities to assist the student include the following: Health Insurer, non-profits and low interest loans; however there are many limitations (Understood.org, 2014).

How can technology help our student’s in today’s classroom? As educators we have to be aware of the different types of technology available for our students with special needs. These devices are lifeline tools for some students. Ms. Martini who was pictured in the video explains how important her devices are as such: “without my chair I can’t get around, without my computer I can’t do my homework, with out my phone, I can’t call for help”(edutopia, 2015).

Teacher’s need to be aware of the types of devices their student’s have. This will help the teacher understand the needs of the student. It will also help the teacher train on the device so he/she will be able to better assist the student.

When preparing lessons plans we must always include accommodations for our students. The beauty of a lesson plan is that it can always be adjusted to fit the need of the student. The earlier the teacher knows about the students needs, he/she can be sure to get the necessary tools to help make the lesson a success for all students in the classroom.

Imagine, if all our students who require these devices actually have them in the classrooms, how exciting will this be for both student and teacher! Eight different AT devices for your students.



References
Assistive Technology - DIVISION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION (Assistive Technology - DIVISION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION), Retrieved, June 26, 2015, from

How Assistive Technology Enables Dreams (Edutopia), Retrieved, June 26, 2015 from
http://www.edutopia.org/assistive-technology-enabling-dreams-video

Who Pays for Assistive Technology? Parents or Schools? (2014, February 24). Retrieved June 26, 2015, from https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/assistive-technology/assistive-
technologies-basics/who-pays-for-assistive-technology-parents-or-schools