Cyberbullying

A few days ago, I got to help judge a student technology fair here at UNI. I watched a student video that was about cyberbullying. This video included situations where students had been affected by cyberbullies and was written and performed by two students. I asked those students why they had picked to research cyberbullying. They explained that it was a growing problem and someone needed to raise awareness for it. I decided to find ways educators can help prevent cyberbullying in the classroom.

First of all, "'cyberbullying' is when a child, preteen or teen is tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted by another child, preteen or teen using the internet, interactive and digital technologies or mobile phones."

http://www.stopcyberbullying.org/index2.html

"When schools try and get involved by disciplining the student for cyberbullying actions that took place off-campus and outside of school hours, they are often sued for exceeding their authority and violating the student's free speech right. They also, often lose. Schools can be very effective brokers in working with the parents to stop and remedy cyberbullying situations. They can also educate the students on cyberethics and the law. If schools are creative, they can sometimes avoid the claim that their actions exceeded their legal authority for off-campus cyberbullying actions. We recommend that a provision is added to the school's acceptable use policy reserving the right to discipline the student for actions taken off-campus if they are intended to have an effect on a student or they adversely affect the safety and well-being of student while in school. This makes it a contractual, not a constitutional, issue."

The prevention of cyberbullying is very difficult and catching and punishing a cyberbully is even harder. A teacher must figure out how they want to go about educating students on ways to prevent it. They can create a safe atmosphere where a student would feel safe to report bullying. The teacher must make it clear that bullying will not be tolerated and that it can be more than just a violation of school rules, it can be a criminal act. The effects of cyberbullying should be discussed and students should know where they can go to report it and where they can get help with any other problems.

Building New Schools for Technology

I just read the online newspaper from my hometown of Fort Dodge, Iowa and discovered that the school board is buying property to build a new middle school. They are planning on building this by the year 2013 and the school will be located near the high schools. I see many downsides to this idea and some good. The argument is probably going to be that the old schools could not support modern educational technology.

I don't want to see the historic school buildings torn down as they have done in the past. I think they are still good for something. I have been doing some reading about the Fort Dodge area history and was very disappointed at how little of Fort Dodge's past remains. They are beautiful examples of history and architecture.

On the other hand, I know Fort Dodge is a little bit behind in the technology department. I have seen some of what other middle schools have and we are not nearly as equipped. I don't think that this is a huge concern because I believe that our teachers do a wonderful job with what they have. Now that I have seen what other schools are like I realize how lucky I was to go to Fort Dodge.

If educational technology is going to be a reason, then I would like to know how much it would cost the district to add new devices and resources to the existing classrooms. When the schools are facing such difficult economic times I wouldn't think that getting some more stuff or buying land and building a huge school would be a top priority. They should wait until they have more money to be sure they can complete the project and make it the best it can be. I don't think they did that when they built the new Butler Elementary School.

I have to ask...where is this money coming from? Didn't we just remodel Dodger Stadium and get new turf? That project was only completed with donations. Why are programs being cut and teachers leaving? I understand that it will be more efficient and cost less in the long run, but is this really the right time?

http://www.messengernews.net/page/content.detail/id/523724.html?nav=5010