Recently, I read the Associated Press's article "Victims of Cyberbullying Fight Back in Lawsuits" and could not help but ponder whether the increase of incorporation of technology within the classroom may be the root of the influx in cyber-bullying. In recent years, educators have increasingly integrated technology within their classrooms, schools, and districts leading to students' widespread exposure to technology. Granted, the aims behind technology incorporation are justified and are designed with the intention of improving student learning however, without students' increased exposure to technology incidents on the internet may not have increased.
Education has served to increase student exposure to technology and consequently, students are spending increasingly more time on the internet. Thus, students' familiarity with these technological sources could quite possible have served to enable the transition to cyber-bullying. I feel that increasingly, cyber-bullying is becoming a prevalent issue for today's youth and it is necessary to ensure that students are being properly educated within the classroom so that they know what acceptable and unacceptable uses of technology are.
The push for technology integration has been rapid and swift and thus some educators have failed to educate students on how to appropriately use technology. It cannot be assumed that students understand his and thus it is vital that whenever technology is used discussions are had to ensure that incidents such as cyber-bullying does not continue to increase over time.
Education has served to increase student exposure to technology and consequently, students are spending increasingly more time on the internet. Thus, students' familiarity with these technological sources could quite possible have served to enable the transition to cyber-bullying. I feel that increasingly, cyber-bullying is becoming a prevalent issue for today's youth and it is necessary to ensure that students are being properly educated within the classroom so that they know what acceptable and unacceptable uses of technology are.
The push for technology integration has been rapid and swift and thus some educators have failed to educate students on how to appropriately use technology. It cannot be assumed that students understand his and thus it is vital that whenever technology is used discussions are had to ensure that incidents such as cyber-bullying does not continue to increase over time.
Ellen,
ReplyDeleteDo you think that having discussions with the students will be the most beneficial way to dissuade others from taking part in cyberbullying?
I do not believe that students will be as inclined to listen to a simple discussion, no matter how effective. There needs to be a more interactive approach to being proactive. As I have learned through this course, technology in the classrooms helps students learn because it engages them in learning that is "fun" or incidental. What approaches other than discussions can you think to help the students become educated to the negative side effects of this phenomenon?
Ellen,
ReplyDeleteI think having a discussion about cyber bullying is useful, however similar to what Arturo mentioned it will not serve as a long term solution. Cyber bullying something teachers, students, and parents all need to be in touch with. Every since Tyler Clementi, I think it is important to have permission slips, letters, and other reminders sent home to teachers and parents to help control internet access and avoid bullying. I think you can incorporate discussions within lessons, however you must be very clear about a no tolerance classroom. In literature, you can connect bullying to books, what specific lessons can you think of to help send a clear message?