Student Fights Record of ‘Cyberbullying’

I wanted to share this article posted on the NYTimes website. We talk so much about bullying among students. This was a different kind of "cyberbullying." A young lady decided she wanted to criticize a teacher over Facebook and she was suspended because of it. She didn't like the teacher and she decided to post them thinking that she had the freedom to voice her opinion. As you read the article, it states that she received several responses from both sides - defending the teacher as well as supporting her stance.

On the one hand, you have a young lady that was taking her opinion to a forum. It was posted as a blog. On the other, this young lady is being critical of her teachers and was considered a form of "cyberbullying".

I wanted to share. You can draw your own conclusions and perhaps, if you'd like share your opinions.

Just some thoughts.

WebQuests

I've been going over this for a while now. I have thoughts and ideas, but I always have a hard time simplifying and narrowing down what I want to do. I know this would be a great opportunity for my students to do something they may actually enjoy in the classroom. I don't think they'd believe it. Again, teachers are competing for the attention of their students. WebQuests are a great way to draw them in to the lesson. Students spend so much time playing on the computer, why not put them to work? (Without them knowing it.) Although, I think part of their problem is that adults are telling them to do it.(But that's a whole 'nother story. )

I've been thinking about things that I could possibly incorporate into the next month's lesson plans for my student teaching. We'll be going over Women's Suffrage and the Great Depression. I suppose that is step #1. I have an idea of where I want to begin. The rest of it may be harder than I thought. Although, this extension is definitely helping. Thanks, Dr. Luongo! :)

Internet Safety

I don't think kids understand. As "careful" or "harmless", internet safety is no joke. Kids seem to take things so lightly sometimes. Bullying online is as serious as face-to-face. These videos are good for them to see. You have to be very careful about what you put out there and, of course, talk to people around you about what is going on. Kids lack the communication with the adults around them. Because there is no communication and/or trust, no one knows what's going on.

I wonder what will it take for kids to believe how important internet safety really is. Hopefully, not the worst.

NJCCCS/NETS

It's crazy to think how far society has come. It is crazy to think that we are supposed to be preparing students to become fully participating members of society. They have to be ready for whatever may come at them. In the classroom, we have to maintain their attention by showing them that learning can be fun, despite their preconceived notions. Teachers must put on a "show" (thanks, Mrs. Kennedy) by entertaining them - putting on a song and dance - to maintain their attention while competing with the internet at home, DSs, cell phones. And, we also have to make sure that they are ready to be able to work with any kinds of technology that may be developed despite the fact that, many teachers now (bless them all!) may not even know how to use the technology. I didn't know there were NETS. Teachers are never done teaching.... or learning for that matter.

By the way, many of our districts - our districts - cannot afford to provide the technologies needed in the classrooms. I am not talking individual computers, or fancy TVs. I am simply talking, working computers, functioning microscopes in biology, chemistry labs, TVs with DVD players, to be able to bring the lesson and activities alive for the students to keep up with the NJCCCS.

Yes, kids are different. .. and learning is different. Times are changing. :) And will continue to change...