Living two Lives

How can we as schools help students merge their academic and social lives?

Video from Common Sense media http://www.commonsensemedia.org

When teachers refuse to, or cannot integrate technology into their classroom, it reaffirms that students are living two lives, not one, and that they should pursue their digital interests apart from the help of adults, teachers or the school system (Ohler, 201, P.26).

How can schools help students deal with Cyberbullying?

Schools have a choice to make in how they respond to problems like cyberbullying. y They can respond to each child as they are involved in the case. y they can block internet resources. y they can create programs for character education that will proactively prevent these problems.

The first two options will only deal with the symptoms of the problem. The third will address the problem itself. We need to talk to our children about how to live digital lifestyles that are informed, safe and healthy. (Ohler, 2011, p. 27).

According to Baylor (2002), technology leadership, teachers being open to change and teacher non-school use of computers, influences how well technology is integrated into schools. After conducting a study of 94 classrooms, Baylor shows that these three variables affect student learning more than just placing technology in the classroom.

Levinson (2010) talks about the several elements of creating a customized plan, and that it is important to remember that the idea of one size fitting all does not apply to solving digital problems.

The first step is to bring together the stackeholders (students, teachers, administrators and parents) to discuss the problems associated with using technology, in their community.

http://www.commonsensemedia.org

Second step is to use this information to create curricular action plans using resources like Common Sense Media. This would involve the education of students as well as their parents.

The third step is to provide guidance on implementing the lessons in the classrooms, and making sure parents are informed and aware of inschool activities.

The fourth step is to provide ongoing professional development on technology for administrators and teachers.

The last step is to resolve problems related to use or misuse of the technology with the input of all stakeholders. Watch this video to see how teens can sometimes help with the solutions. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/04/cyberbullying-real-teen-_n_993492.html

References
y http://www.commonsensemedia.org y Ribble, M., Baily, G., and Ross, T. (2004). Digital Citizenship. Addressing Appropriate

Technology Behavior. Learning and Leading with Technology, Vol. 39, 1, 6-12.
y Ohler, J. (2011). Digital Citizenship Means Character Education for the Digital Age.

Kappa Delta Pi Record, Fall edition, 25-27.

y Baylor, A.L. & Ritchie. D. (2002)What Factors Facilitate Teacher Skill, Teacher Morale,

and Perceived Student Learning in Technology-Using Classrooms? Computers and Education, no pages. Found at www.elsevier.com/locate/compedu.
y Levinson, M. & Socia, D.(2010), Moving Beyond One size Fits All with Digital

Citizenship. Published in Publius Project. ( http://publius.cc)

The important thing is not to shut off communication completely. Exchange of information must happen to adjust, and reevaluate how to resolve the problem.