Cyberbullying: School Responsibility?

Cyberbullying "involves the use of information and communication technologies to support deliberate, repeated, and hostile behavior by an individual or group, that is intended to harm others. -Bill Belsey"

I haven't been a victim of cyberbullying, nor have I been a perpetrator. As people build lives that require connection to mobile phones and computers, it's obvious that old fashioned bullying would transfer over to these domains. What's scary is how this can be done in anonymous ways.

Schools are still grappling with how to address cyberbullying. Some have enacted specific policies. Meanwhile, some states have legislation against it. For schools, the legal concern centers on how far their enforcing power extends from school property. Most cyberbullying does not occur from school-owned computers or mobile phones, but rather those owned by the perpetrator. Did the actions occur on school property during school hours? Were they committed elsewhere? What is the effect on the classroom and school environment? All three are important questions that schools must consider before attempting to step into a cyberbullying situation.

I believe that schools should protect students from off-site cyberbullying through enforcement action. More often than not fellow classmates are involved, and the resulting learning environment can be toxic. Furthermore, students may find it nearly impossible to get away from the bullying as using electronic devices is a big part of daily life. Schools have a responsibility to protect students.

Some signs of cyberbullying include:

Source: http://www.cyberbullying.us/cyberbullying_warning_signs.pdf

• unexpectedly stops using the computer
• appears nervous or jumpy when an Instant
Message, text message, or Email appears
• appears uneasy about going to school or
outside in general
• appears to be angry, depressed, or frustrated
after using the computer
• avoids discussions about what they are doing
on the computer
• becomes abnormally withdrawn from usual
friends and family members

Transferring into the classroom, I plan to be pre-emptive on cyberbullying. Including a definition, district policy, and state laws in the class syllabus along with a class discussion would go a long way to curb most issues. This would also provide a foundation for students to know what's acceptable and seek out help if they feel threatened. From this point, victims or perpetrators could be worked with on an individual basis.

Being part digital immigrant, I'm just beginning to think about cyberbullying. I hope that I can create a classroom environment where students can feel welcome and comfortable. Cyberbullying education and eradication will certainly be a part of this.

Have you searched your handle lately?

Although I've searched my name and location from time-to-time to see what's out there about me, I have neglected to put much effort into searching my handles. This was quite an eye-opening experience. A relic from 2005 showed up from visiting a "honeymoon theme park" in South Korea. It was the online photo album that my wife and I created to share the "interesting" aspects of this park with friends and family while having a different main photo account for more conservative viewers. I also found a link to my "That's Good Engrish" blog that I maintained for a while while living overseas. This blog highlights improper uses of English in South Korea.

Seeing these posts gave me a good idea of what is available for my students to find. The Photobucket album is now deleted, but darn you Google cache. I'm considering a modification of the blog. Overall, I'm just happy to restructure what is accessible now so that going into the classroom in a couple months will coincide with a purging of any unprofessional remnants. I don't think that these pieces are unbecoming of me as a teacher, however, there are certain parts of my private life that could be interpreted in the wrong way.

As a teacher I want my students to see me as a human being, but I also want to make sure that my life outside the classroom doesn't cloud the learning environment. To accomplish this I feel that teachers should be held to a high standard of personal conduct. The TSPC already has a set of rules that fulfill this to some extent (Although there was minimal educator input in crafting them.). With these considerations teachers are held to higher standards than the general community. This includes a diminished freedom of speech. I'm fully aware of this going into the teaching profession and plan to act accordingly. To preserve the learning environment in my classroom and to preserve community trust in the profession is more important than a little self-expression.

While reading the Have You Googled Your Teacher Lately article, the section titled "Professional Life Meets Life Online" was an interesting glimpse into the career pitfalls that face teachers online. One teacher used her MySpace account to criticize parents in general for not holding their children accountable for anything that they do. The teacher was investigated...but how did the student that found the comment feel? Furthermore, why was a student one of the teacher's "friends" in the first place? By friending the student, I feel that the teacher turned her personal page into a classroom of sorts. In the same way, teachers need to control their personal information that's available online because it will travel into the classroom.

There are a few things that I've done to protect myself and my job. First, I deleted my Facebook account a few months ago. Second, I'm removing anything I wouldn't want my students to see attached to my name or handle. In the future, I plan to limit my blogging except for that used at school. I'm OK with this. In fact, I'm finding that moving my life back off-line provides more time to enjoy other hobbies. Sometimes life is better without being connected to everyone all the time.

Digital Native or Digitally Naive?

It was refreshing reading through Marc Prensky's articles about teaching to digital natives. As defined, I'm a blend of digital immigrant and digital native. Although young enough to witness integration of technology into daily life, some pieces of technology proliferation I shy away from. For example, email is a fantastic way to stay in touch, however, I deleted my Facebook account because I felt overly connected. Another aspect of blending is I turn to the internet first to answer questions. However, proofing a term paper in hard-copy with a red pen helps immensely for catching errors. I think that a lot of my hesitance about technology comes from how my teachers modeled its use in the classroom. Some of my experiences related directly to Pensky's assertion that, "... it generally isn’t that Digital Natives can’t pay attention, it’s that they choose not to." One high school class offered a stimulating hands-on minds-on environment for a digital native, but most of my college classes used technology to create a yawning experience.

While in high school, my most memorable hands-on use of digital technology centered around a Sophomore English project. Each student was to research a different country, and create a final presentation in PowerPoint that included transitions, sound, video, and pictures. Our English teacher knew nothing about the program, we went to the computer lab twice a week, and meanwhile progress targets were passing by. Looking back on it, the ordeal was a bit stressful for my classmates and teacher. However, every student was pushed to the edge of their ability and real learning took place. We all exited well versed in PowerPoint and vividly remember the class. Prensky mentions in his article Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants that, "As educators, we need to be thinking about how to teach both Legacy and Future content in the language of the Digital Natives." My English teacher, although not perfect, taught us legacy skills of research, writing, and presentation while mixing in technology application. I still talk to members of that class today who have had opportunities open up for them because of the technology application from Sophomore English class.

My college technology experience was a real step backward. Not in what technology was available, but in application. Classrooms were equipped with flat screen monitors built into the front wall between two white boards. Also, most teachers used PowerPoint presentations. However, many operated with a heavy digital immigrant "accent" and proceeded to READ FROM THEIR SLIDES without adding additional stimulating tidbits. In addition to being bored near insanity, there was almost no point in coming to class in the first place as the presentations were accessible online. On the other hand, one teacher didn't use digital technology at all but rather multi-colored board markers. The classroom was interactive, interesting, fun, and very challenging. We had questions coming at us all the time as we tried to figure things out. By the end of class there was a story on the board. I really enjoyed going to Aerodynamics class each day.

I think that Prensky has valid points regarding using technology to enable learning. He hasn't changed my mind about the use of technology, but rather cemented ideas that I've been thinking about for a while. One area that I worry about is that I'm a more linear thinker. It's going to take focused effort on my part to craft lessons in a more parallel manner with bits of randomness thrown in...all while aiming to convey information in an engaging way. Although not in the classroom yet, I care deeply about the learning of all my students. There also isn't much of an option other than to jump into the future with techniques that work with today's learners. As Pensky said, "So hi there, I’m the tuned-out kid in the back row with the headphones. Are you going to engage me today or enrage me? The choice is yours."

Introduction

I'm Matthew. In just under a year I hope to be licensed and on my way to teaching middle school math and science. Down the road further, advanced math might come into play.

My favorite animal is a squid. Not only are they amazing swimmers, squid excel at hunting. Squid recipes offer a fantastic range of culinary delights. From smokey-grilled to fried in crunchy batter with a side of aiole, it's sure to please on the table! What an amazing animal....