After spending much of this week on some powerful medicine, and a trip to the ER, and ending up at an oral surgeon, I am finally sane enough to write. After looking over the materials in the book, and the lecture, I have decide that the most important thing that a teacher can do in a networked class is to stress safety. Students need to be taught how to use the Internet, and other social networking tools safely. I feel that they put to much of themselves out there. I use several different types of social media, but when I do I don't list my location, I especially don't checkin, no matter how private you have your settings people can still see your things. If they see you have checked in somewhere then that means your not home and put you at risk. That is the aw reason that I don't post pictures of myself or my family, I don't want them to bece a target if a student becomes upset.
With some much cyber bulling going on we need to teach the students how to respond and the correct steps to take if they do become targets.
Also, there needs to be a way for parents to see what is being said, and taught , if that is by giving them a separate login that they can view the information, but not make changes or comment. This way it prevents the parents from possibly billing a child they feel is bulling their child. You see reports about parents bulling children, so this will help keep this from happening in your classroom, but it gives them the access to make sure that their child is safe, and doing what is expected of them.
You bring up a good point regarding parental involvement. I think most educators want parents to be involved with their child's education, but providing expectations or boundaries on their contributions would be especially important to ensure the work provided is actually the student's. This would be integral to a classroom wiki.
ReplyDeleteI cannot agree more with you about how important it is for teachers to stress internet safety. The internet can be scary place especially for children if it is not used correctly. I think it is important for students know the danger that comes with using the internet. The point where you brought up educators safety is extremely valid. This topic is not often discussed. I feel educators need to realize this is a very real possibility.
ReplyDeleteSafety is a very important aspect.
ReplyDeleteWhat about the other component of the blog topic? How can a networked classroom address the diverse needs of all learners?
Safety is a huge issue to me. As I was reading other blogs, some were concerned about safety and allowing elementary aged students too much web freedom. I feel that, with every age student, they need to be taught about safety and etiquette before ever being allowed on a computer. We have the "Stranger Danger" programs for students about in-person threats and we must adapt this to also cover on-line threats. It is such a shame that we have to be so careful when picking and using resources online, but you never know who could be on the other side of that tweet or chat.
ReplyDeleteAs you said, cyberbullying is another issue that we must stress and watch closely for when networking our classrooms. Often times students are too scared or embarrassed to speak up, so we must monitor this carefully when students are using the computers at school.