software offers pupils a safe environment for networking

Primary schools in Yorkshire are trialling new software developed in the region which will provide pupils with a site which stores their work and allows them to "social network" in a safe environment.
By The Newsroom
Published 8th Jan 2010, 18:11 BST
Updated 11th Jan 2010, 20:05 BST

Robin Hood Primary School in Leeds, St Anne’s Catholic Primary in Keighley, Eastburn Junior and Infants, near Keighley, and Our Lady of Victories Primary in Bradford have all agreed to use the Student Jotter programme.

It has been developed by Keighley software firm WebAnywhere to be used in schools.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Pupils can write blogs, post messages on each other’s “walls” and upload pictures and documents using Student Jotter in a style similar to Facebook. They can also add friends to their pages from within their own school. However, the site will also be used to allow pupils and their parents to access their schoolwork.

Sean Gilligan, who founded WebAnywhere from a makeshift office in his parents’ bedroom five years ago, said: “Recent research has shown that there can be a negative side to social networking sites, for example bullying, and the decision to start teaching internet safety to children reflects this.

“But we have worked hard to make Student Jotter completely safe, so schools can enjoy the many positive points of a social media platform in the knowledge that their pupils are protected.”

Related topics:Yorkshire