Since my GAME plan has helped me to keep in alignment with the NETS-T standards, I feel confident that my students could follow suit by incorporating their own GAME plan utilizing the NETS-S standards. One of the goals of my GAME plan was to promote and model digital citizenship and responsibility. This particular goal is extremely important to me as an educator because of the potential dangers involved with Internet use by teens. Technology can be a remarkable tool for learning when used correctly and carefully, but in the wrong hands, technology can become a weapon of destruction. Unfortunately, many teens utilize the Internet to bully other teens. It has gotten so popular that Internet bullying has been coined cyber bullying and it is running rampant among the teenage population. Cyber bullying has taken on a life of its own, and does not seem to be getting better any time soon. As an educator and as a mother, I want to do whatever I can to stop cyber bullying. I want to instill in my students an ethical understanding so they too will make a concerted effort to put a stop to any unsafe practices.
I would also model for my students how to cite correctly when utilizing information from various sources. The librarian has already put together a PowerPoint presentation on how to do this, but I need to keep modeling for them. I have actually brought in my own papers to show them how I have given credit where credit is due.
With this in mind, I would like to implement #5: Digital Citizenship (International Society for Technology in Education, 2011) because if my students cannot display digital citizenship, then they do not need to be on the Internet. I would not want to have my students partake in any online activities if they could not be responsible teens and use the Internet wisely. I would like to show my students videos related to cyber safety and then have them create a digital story on cyber safety. In their story they would need to explain why it is important to practice Internet safety.
References:
International Society for Technology in Education. (2011). NETS for students 2007. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-students/nets-students
Posts
Roxanne,
ReplyDeleteI share your passion about putting an end to cyber bullying. Our students today truly live in a scary cyber world that does seem to be spinning out of control.
I think that creating a digital story followed by previewing video clips will supplement your GAME plan nicely. You might also have students create digital stories that illustrate unsafe use so that they may have to decide which is right and which is unsafe. Sometimes we need to provide more examples of consequences so that we can deeper their understanding of this issue in particular.
Good luck to you!
Charlene
Roxanne,
ReplyDeleteI know cyber bullying isn't funny, but I can but laugh at the visual picture I get when I think of a term. It sounds like something the stereotypical nerd would do to get back and the stereotypical jock. I know that isn't what occurs in actuality, but one can wish. The fact that cyber bullying even exists shows that we need to continually evolve in order to address educational issues in a rapidly changing world. Your effort to end the practice is commendable. I would like to throw my hat into the ring as well and try to stop bullying, in cyberspace and within the four walls.
Brandon
Charlene,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great idea! Yes, you are right, providing examples of consequences about cyber safety would give the students a better insight into knowing what “not” to do. Visuals work wonders! Good luck to you too!
Brandon,
Cyber bullying is a funny term, but a serious matter. Back in the day, kids would just pass notes around about other kids in attempt to bully them, but the notes eventually were thrown out. Nowadays, derogatory statements as well as inappropriate photos are being put out there for all to see, causing kids to commit suicide; it’s incomprehensible what is going on out there. You make a good point when you mention about trying to stop bullying in the school building as well. Our school is having an unusual amount of bullying issues going on as of late. What is in the water?
Roxanne,
ReplyDeleteIn the three years that I have been teaching, I have seen a drastic increase in the amount of online bullying. Prior to the popularity of things like Facebook, text messaging and other social networking sites, home was a place that was free from the bullying and teasing of school. However, now being connected 24/7 students never escape the sights of bullies. I have seen this social tend be emotionally tormenting to various students. Teaching digital citizenship and responsibility are a must. It is something we all need to incorporate in out classrooms early and often. Students are never to young to hear about responsible and appropriate online correspondence.
Amy Hampton