This week while finalizing my TIP Unit plan, I took a lot of time to consider a certain aspect of the project that we were required to focus on. In the template, we were asked to not only describe the ways in which we planned on presenting the subject matter that we would be teaching, but we were also asked to take a look at the many steps that must happen BEFORE we do indeed deliver the material. Keeping relevant to the class at hand, I realized that there are MANY precautions that we as educators must take before using technology in our classroom. In the unit itself, I focus on the legality of the use of the certain technologies that I chose to include in my unit, such as attaining permission from the superintendent, parents, etc., which can be seen in all of our Parent Letters. However, despite the fact that all of these precautions are, or at least should be, being taken, there is still one perpetual problem that still exists.
While searching for blogs online, I came across this one- http://sandeelee.blogs.com/ . In this blog, the concept of bullying is looked at through an extremely close lens. While scoping out the many links and stories that she included within her blog, I came across the film entitled Rats and Bullies, a true story of a 14 year old girl who was continually bullied both in school and online, which ultimately resulted in her suicide. I looked more into cases of online bullying after watching the movie’s trailer and reading up on the story, and found that a lot of bullying cases are now happening online because students are able to create alternative identities, and feel as though they will not get caught as easily. Further, some students who bully online went on to say that “they know the law and can’t get in trouble at school because they aren’t using the school computers” to bully their peers. While we are helping to broaden students’ 21st Century Skills, we are also enabling them to potentially be threats to their peers as well. Therefore, perhaps the precautions that are supposed to be taken with using technology within the classroom should be mentioned to parents so that these terrible situations can be avoided at home as well. The age of the student should be taken into consideration, as well as their history with being bullied or bullying others. Regardless, it is our responsibility as educators to look after the well being of our students, both inside AND outside of the classroom.
Below are links which include factual information on cyber bullying, as well as videos and lesson ideas:
Excellent post. I will be sure to share these links and resources with my sister and mother who teach middle school. They are looking for new ways to do professional development against bullying.
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