Cyberbullying

The advent of the Internet, and with it, social media,  has fostered the development of cyberbullying - insults, intimidation, and harassment that take place online. Most educators have to dig deep in order to understand the virtual world that our students are so familiar with, but it is crucial that we do; studies show that upwards of 40 percent of students have experienced cyberbullying (Cassidy, Brown, Jackson, 2012), and, surprisingly enough to me, the trend continues even in higher education.

Cyberbullying hurts.

When we address cyberbullying with our students, we should educate them on their role as a digital citizen - highlight how they should treat others in front of a screen, but also how they can advocate for others and stop or report inappropriate behavior they see online.
As a classroom teacher, I piloted Chromebooks in our building, and I found several lessons from Common Sense Media to be effective and engaging. We "judged" imaginary profiles and analyzed our own digital footprints. Class discussions and reflection at the end of the lessons allowed for students to personalize the lessons, an element which is essential. Common Sense Media has longer lessons as well as shorter activities that are perfect for weekly "check-ins" on digital citizenship expectations.
We also need to model digital citizenship for our students and other members of our community. Whether it be on Facebook, Twitter, or comments under an online news article, we as educators should refrain extreme commentary, name-calling, or posting anything that could even be construed as derogatory to any individual or group.
Finally, while lessons on digital citizenship and the responsible use of devices and social media account are important, building personal relationships within the school community is a preventative measure that should not be underestimated. Helping students to develop friendships, during lunch and recess, without a phone in their palm, will surely help to make them both less likely to pick on a classmate and stick up for one who needs it.

Cassidy, W., Brown, K., & Jackson, M. (2012). ‘Under the radar’: Educators and cyberbullying in schools. School Journal of Education and Training Studies Vol. 3, No. 6; 2015 121 Psychology International, 33(5), 520-532. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0143034312445245

Kahoot

Kahoot is an engaging, interactive online gaming site that currently markets itself to both educators and corporate executives. Teachers can create free accounts on Kahoot (there is also a Kahoot! Pro version for educators which promises an extensive images library and the ability to collaborate with other teachers) to make or search for already-made quizzes and activities within their account. Teachers then direct their students to Kahoot.it with a game pin. Students can play on any device (iPad, smart phone, Chromebook), and the teacher can display the questions on just about any screen (SmartBoard or Promethean, or in a pinch even a desktop!).
Kahoots (noun, the multiple choice sets the teacher puts together) can incorporate images and sound clips, and the possibilities within the classroom are endless. While the best way to get started with Kahoot is with a topic review (anything you can put in a multiple choice or True/False format), it is also possible to use a Kahoot throughout a lesson to check for understanding (teach a concept, show the Kahoot question), and it is even possible to introduce topics through a Kahoot, which Kahoot calls Blind Kahooting.

Last year, I visited an underperforming school in a rough neighborhood. The students moved in to the class with lackluster, and ignored the teacher for most of the class. Then, a Kahoot! They voluntarily moved their seats in front of the board, screamed and yelled at every right and wrong answer (and yelled about the answers - why they made a mistake on one,  how they knew it was a certain answer because..), and when the "champion" was identified on the screen, she asked the teacher if she could take a picture of it for her SnapChat story! That is the power of Kahoot.

Flipgrid as an Accessibility Tool

Flipgrid is an online video posting board that is easy to use and easy to implement in the classroom or any educational setting. Frequently used to collect video discussion posts, Flipgrid has several applications as an accessibility tool, too.

Flipgrid is incredibly easy to use - click on the PLUS button!

Simply because of its video application, the program makes it a lot easier for those who struggle with written expression to contribute their (literal) voice to the classroom. Whether it is posting an opinion on a current event or answering a discussion prompt, it is a lot easier for students to add to the class with Flipgrid's platform.
In addition to contributing their voice, Flipgrid makes it possible for teachers to share their voice with students, even when they are not physically present. Educators could post video instructions for an assignment on a grid, elicit questions or comments on the same grid, and reply.
Although not technically under the umbrella of accessibility, one of my favorite things about Flipgrid is the engagement it fosters - not just with students, but beyond the classroom. As a Spanish teacher, I often asked students to introduce or interview family members, and in doing so, I brought them into our classroom. Family members could post for students on grids shared with them, or students could be directed to include friends and family members in their video posts, fostering a true learning community.

#flipgrid fever is real!

The Flipgrid promotes their platform (free for teachers this year, WOW!) with the hashtag #flipgridfever, and it is completely accurate - once you try Flipgrid, you will catch the fever, and you will easily start to imagine the possibilities within your classroom, school, or library. You will find yourself sharing videos of students with anyone who is willing to watch and promoting this platform to anyone who crosses your path. The best news - the students catch that fever, too!

If you catch #flipgridfever, there really isn't a cure, so check out these resources for even more ways to feed your fever:
https://www.hollyclark.org/2017/05/28/15-ways-to-incorporate-flipgridfever/