Introduction

Globalization is a reality and ICT has become fundamental part of the process. A networked
society is one in which the entire planet is organized around telecommunicated networks of
computers. The powerful use of network has broken boundaries, provided opportunities for
inclusion and collaboration. However, there will also be a struggle for those who do not have
access or those who are excluded, marginalized and powerless. Thus a need to establish
policies in the use of ICT is imperative.

As the Department of Information, Communication and Technology (DICT) says: “The future
has arrived. Now we have to ensure that we a place in it.”

Lesson 1. Policies and Issues on Internet and Implications to Teaching and

Learning

One way of enhancing and regulating the use of ICT is to formulate and implement policies to
guide appropriate decisions.

Definition of ICT

- The Oxford English Dictionary has defined “policy” as a course of action adopted and
pursued by a government, party, ruler, statesman. It is any course of action adopted as
expedient or advantages. Its operational definition of policy is a plan of action to guide
decisions and achieve outcomes.
- Thus, ICT Policies are needed to put a roadmap or couse of actions to be pursued and
adopted by various governments, organizations, entities involving ICT. There include
principles and guidelines in the use of ICT which cover three main areas:
telecommunications (telephone), broadcasting (radio and television) and Internet

The New ICT technologies

More recent technological innovations increased the reach and speed of

communications which can be grouped into three categories.

1. Information Technology- includes the use of computers, which has become

indispensable in modern societies to process data and save time and effort. What are needed
will be computer hardware and peripherals, software and for the user, computer literacy.

1. Telecommunication technologies – include telephones (with fax) and the broadcasting of

radio and television often through satellites. Telephone system, radio and TV
broadcasting are needed in this category.

2. Networking technologies – The best known of networking technologies is Internet, but

has extended to mobile phone technology, Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) satellite
communications and the other forms of communications are still in their infancy. In
addition to Internet, this category also includes mobile telephone, cable, DSL, satellite
and other broadband connectivity.

The DICT Roadmap

- In our country, the Department of Information and Communication technology (DICT)

has formulated a roadmap to guide all agencies in the utilization, regulation and
enhancement of ICT. Each project has corresponding policy statements and guidelines.
- The ICT of Education (ICT4E) is a program under the DICT that supports all the efforts
of the education sector in incorporating the use of ICT as well as in determining and
gaining access to the iinfrastructure (hardware, software , telecommunications facilities
and others) which are necessary to use and deploy learning technologies at all levels of
 education. Among the policy recommended programs that have applications to
education teaching-learning are:

1. ICT in Education Masterplan for all levels, including a National Roadmap for Faculty
Development in ICT in Education. A national Framework Plan for ICT’s in Basic Education
was developed.

2. Content and application development through the Open Content in Education Initiative
(OCEI) which converts DepEd materials into interactive multi-media content, develop
applications used in schools, and conduct students and teachers competitions to promote
the development of education-related web content.

3. PheDNET, is a “walled” garden that hosts educational learning and teaching materials
and applications for use by Filipino students, their parents and teachers. All public high
schools will be part of this network with only DepEd-approved multi-media applications,
materials and mirrored internet sites accessible from school’s PCs.

4. Established Community eLearning Centers called eSkwela for out-of-school youth (OSY)
providing them with ICT-enhanced alternative education opportunities.

5. Quality Program for tertiary education through partnerships with state universities and
colleges (SUC’s) to improve quality of IT education and the use of ICT in education in the
counrty, particularly outside of Metro Manila.

6. Digital Media Arts Program which builds digital media skills for government using Open
Source technologies. Particular beneficiary agencies include the Philippine Information
Agency and the other government media organizations, the Cultural Center of the
Philippines, National Commission, for Culture and Arts and other government art
agencies, State Universitites and Colleges and local government units.
7. ICT skills strategic plan which develops an inter-agency approach to identifying strategic
and policy nnd program recommendations to address ICT skills demand-supply type.

All the seven programs were guided by the roadmap that embeds policy statements that relate
to education specifically in the enhancement of human development for teaching and learning

Some issues on ICT and Internet Policy and Regulations

Global Issues

Access and Civil Liberties are two sets of issues in ICT Policy which are crucial to the
modern society. The other concern is civil liberties which refer to human rights and freedom.
These include freedom of expression, the right to privacy, the right to communicate and
intellectual property rights.

Access to the Use of Internet and ICT. Access means the possibility for everyone to use the
internet and other media. In richer countries, basic access to internet is almost available at
all with faster broadband connections. There are still countries where access to internet is
still a challenge.

Issues No. 1: Freedom of Expression and Censorship

Under international human rights conventions, all people are guaranteed the rights for free
expression. However, With the shift from communicating through letter, newspapers and
public meetings to electronic communications and on-line networking, a need to look into
how these new means modifies the understanding of freedom of expression and censorship.
 The UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights provides that everyone has the right to
freedom of thought, conscience and religion, likewise the right to freedom of opinion and
expression. However there are practices that violate these provisions in the use of internet.

Some examples are the following.

1. Individual rights are given up in order to have access to electronic works. Microsoft
Network’s (MSN’s contracts provide protection individual like “upload, or otherwise make
available files that contain images, photographs, or other materials protected by
intellectual property laws, including but not limiting to copyright or trademark laws,
unless you own or control the rights there or have received all necessary consent to do
the same. However Microsoft reserves the rights, in its sole discretion, to terminate
access
2. Censorship restricts the transmission of information by blocking it or filtering the
information. Blocking is preventing access to whole areas of internet based upon the
“blacklist: of certain Internet address, location or email addresses while filtering is sifting
the packets of data or messages as they move across computer networks and
eliminating those considered “undesirable” materials. The selection of sites that are
blocked or filtered has been considered as an issue.

“When you are surfing the web, you may think you are anonymous, but there are various
ways that information about you or your activities can be collected without your consent”

Some examples are the following.

1. Individual rights are given up in order to have access to electronic works. Microsoft
Network’s (MSN’s contracts provide protection individual like “upload, or otherwise make
available files that contain images, photographs, or other materials protected by
intellectual property laws, including but not limiting to copyright or trademark laws,
unless you own or control the rights there or have received all necessary consent to do
the same. However Microsoft reserves the rights, in its sole discretion, to terminate
access.
2. 2. Censorship restricts the transmission of information by blocking it or filtering the
information. Blocking is preventing access to whole areas of internet based upon the
“blacklist: of certain Internet address, location or email addresses while filtering is sifting
the packets of data or messages as they move across computer networks and
eliminating those considered “undesirable” materials. The selection of sites that
are blocked or filtered has been considered as an issue.
3. Defamation actions may be used to silence crisis. This action deters the freedom of
expression.

Issues No.2 Privacy and Security

Privacy policies are an issue. Most commercial sites have a privacy policy. When someone
used a site and clicks “I agree” button, it is as you have turned over private information to any
authority that may access it.

There are several types of privacy as shown by the following examples:

1. For most, privacy means “personal privacy the right of individuals not to have their home
private life or personal life interfered with.

2. Privacy of communication refers to the protection of interference with communication

over the phone or internet. Respect for privacy in communications is an essential
prerequisite for the maintenance of human relationship via technological
communications media.
 3. Information privacy is related to the use of computers and communications system which
are able to hold and process information about large numbers of people at a high speed.
It is important to ensure that information will only be used for purposes for which it was
gathered and will not be disclosed to others without consent of the individuals.

Issues No. 3 Surveillance and Data Retention

The use of electronic communications has enhanced the development of indirect surveillance.
In the indirect surveillance, there is no direct contact between the agent and the subject of
surveillance but evidence of activities can be traced. The new and poweful form of indirect
surveillance is dataveillance. Dataveiillance is the use of personal information to monitor a
person’s activities while data retention is the storage and use of information from
communications systems.

There is very little that can be done to prevent surveillance. What can be done is to change the
methods of working to make surveillance difficult. This is called “counter surveillance” or
information security if it refers to computers and electronic communication.

Issues No. 4 E-Pollutants from E-waste

Large amounts of e-waste is generated by ICT. These are in particular , terminal equipments
used for computing (PC’s, laptops), broadcasting (television and radiosets, telephony (fixed and
mobile phones), and peripherals (fax machines, printers and scanners).

The accumulated e-waste is due to rapid turnover of equipment due to rapid improvement of
software. While materials waste can be destroyed by crushing, toxic, material brought about by
the different equipment requires utmost management. The quantities of e-waste are increasing
in both developing counties. A very dismal state is that there is a significant amount of electronic
waste that has been shipped from industrial counrties to developing countries. Using less
environmentally responsible procedure.

Remedies include standardization and regulatory measures to increase the life cycle of
equipment before they become obsolete. Efficient extraction of toxic components and requiring
the recycling both consumers and equipment vendors are selling must be required.

If not controlled, then e-waste will tremendously affect climate change, damage human lives,
and overload the capacity of the earth in carrying solid waste.

Implications to Teaching and Learning

There are great implications of this lesson to both the teachers who are teaching and the
learners who are learning. A few of these are follows:

For the Teachers and Teaching

1. Guide the teachers on what they should teach that relate to ICT, and how to teach it.
Since ICT development comes so rapid and fast, teachers might be overwhelmed by its
rapid speed. Temperance in its use is a caution that should be looked at.

2. Technology should never replace any human teacher. The tools are support instructional
materials for the teachers which are available for use. The teacher should learn how to
appropriately use them. The human touch of the teacher is still a vital component in
teaching. Teachers should always be reminded that there are always limitations in the
use of the different gadget and tools.
 3. There are rules and regulations that govern the use of technology. Caution should be
observed to protect individual privacy. As teachers, you must be aware that the use of
technology may jeopardize your privacy and security.

4. All the issues and many more shall be part of the teaching content as each teacher will
be encouraged to use technology in teaching.

For the Learners and Learning

The learners of the 21st century are even more advanced than some of teachers. However,
the learners still need guidance on how to use, regulate technology use. As there are
positive and negative effects of technology use learners should know the difference.
Learners should not only know the benefits of technology use, but they should also know
how they can be protected from the hazards that technology brings to their lives.

Learners should take advantage of the potential of learning support they can divert such
as the development of higher order thinking skills, the development of learning communities
through collaboration, the enhancement of skills to manage the vast resources as 21st
century learners and many more.

Both the teachers and learners should be mindful of the e-waste that are being thrown
away to the land and to the atmosphere. Thus, safety in the use of technology shall be
presented in the next lesson.

Issues No. 2
Safety Issues on the Use of ICT including e-Safety Rules

Some Risks in the Use of ICT and e-Networking

Technology is a phenomenon that seems to be uncontrollable. Despite the so many

benefits for teaching and learning, there are also negative effects or influence on the learners.
Hence, as future teachers you have to be aware of how to be safeguard learners in the school
communities where they spend most of their walking hours and also in their homes or facilities
that provide opportunities to use digital technologies like Internet Cafes. Safeguard and
Protection should be the primordial role of parents, teachers and schools. There are so many
that we have to be aware of in the use of digital technologies. These may include the following,

1. Exposure to inappropriate contenct, including on-line pornography, extremism (exposure

to violence associated with racist language) ;
2. Lifestyle websites like self-harms and suicide sites, and hate sites;
3. Cyber-bullying in all forms, receiving sexually explicit images or messages.
4. Privacy issues including disclosure of personal information;
5. Health and well-being (amount of time spent on-line, internet gaming and many more;
6. Prolonged exposure to on-line technologies, particularly at an early age;
7. Addiction to gambling and gaming;
8. Theft and fraud from activities such as phishing;
9. Viruses, Trojans, spyware and other malware; and
10. Social pressure to maintain online networks
via texting and social networking sites.

Minor Misuse of ICT

In school, some minor misuse made by learners include the following:

• Copyright information into assignment and failing to acknowledge the source (plagiarism
and copyright infringement.
 • Downloading materials not relevant to their studies.

• Misconduct associated with subject logins, such as using some else’s password.

• Leaving a mobile phone turned on during class period.

• Unauthorized taking of pictures or images with mobile phone camera still or moving.

E-safety

E-safety takes care not only in internet technologies but also of electronic communications
via mobile phone, games consoles and wireless technology. It highlights the need to
educate children and young people about the benefits, risks and responsibilities of using
information technology. Here are some issues of e-safety;

• E- safety helps safeguard children and young people in the digital world

• E- safety emphasis learning to understand and new technologies in a positive way;

• E-safety educates children about the risks as well as the benefits so we can feel
confident online and;

• E safety supports young learners and adults to develop safer online behaviors, both in
and out of school.

Network Management

1. Safety in the Use of Network in Schools.

1.1 Make clear that no one should log on as another user.

1.2 Require all users to always log off when they have finished working.

1.3 Maintain equipment to ensure health and safety.

1.4 Provide students with access to content and resources through guided e-learning.

1.5 Set up a clear disaster recovery system in a place for critical data that include secure,
remote back up of critical data.

1.6 Secure wireless network to appropriate standards suitable for educational use.

1.7 Install all computer equipment professionally and meet health and safety standards.

1.8 Review the school ICT system regularly with regard to health and safety security.

2.PasswordPolicy

2.1 Only authorized users will have individual passwords. Users are not permitted to disclose
their passwords unless they got permission from the owner or from the management. The
equipment that keeps the personal information shall be locked when unattended to prevent
unathorized access.

Computers should be set to a time if they become unused for a certain period of time.

3. Personal Mobile phones and mobile devices.

3.1 All mobile phones shall be kept away in a box away from the children to learners and access
is only allowed at breaktime or at the end of classes or when needed during the class period.
4. Cameras

4.1 Taking pictures only from a parents or caregivers and not from any other family members or
friend while the child attends class.

4.2 Any picture taken of children shall be on cameras solely for the purpose.

Setting Up an Education Technology Room

Schools that plan to dedicate a room where the students can access technologies for learning
should include the following basic safety rules.

1. Provide tiltable tables. These tables can be tilted and adjusted to the height of the users.

2. Provide anti-glare screen filters

3. Provide adjustable chairs.

4. Provide foot support.

5. Make sure lightning is suitable.

6. Make sure work stations are not cramped.

7. Plan work at a computer so that there are frequent breaks.

More specifically safety rules that can reduce risk of accidents in the working stations should
include:

1. No trailing wires across or round the room which people can trip on.

2. Electrical sockets should not be overloaded.

3. Electrical equipment should be safety-tested at least once a year.

4. There should be adequate space around desk for people to move.

5. Bags and obstacles should be stored out of the way.

6. Food and drinks should not be placed near machines.

7. Heating and ventilation should be suitable for the working environment.

8. Fire extinguishers should be availabe.

9. Fire exits should be clearly marked and free from clutter

There are some issues , policies and rules. What have been presented in the lesson may be
minimum that you should learn. As you explore some more and engage in different aspects of
Technology for Teaching and Learning. You will find more details.