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| Cyberbullying hurts. |
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
Jennifer, I also found the Common Sense Media lessons interesting. I am glad to hear from someone who has used them and recommends them. I agree that we, as the adults in the school building, have the responsibility to model positive digital citizenship and online communication. Focusing on fostering positive relationships is a great idea that would hopefully work as a preventative to possible cyberbullying among students.
ReplyDeleteI love your lesson that you conducted. We can tell the students all bout digital citizen and cyberbullying but I think the best way for students to learn it and understand it is by doing exactly what you did - present scenarios and have open and honest dialogue about what they would and would not do and the reasoning behind it.
ReplyDeleteHi Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteI thank you for the idea of using Common Sense Media lessons. I have seen a number of lessons on cyberbullying this week, but since I already love Common Sense Media I am grateful that you mentioned them as a resource here. Also, I love the graphic of the little telephones beating up another telephone. Finally, I too was shocked to find that cyberbullying carried on into higher education and professional communities.
Thanks for sharing,
Jeri
Jennifer, that's a great point. No amount of netiquette lessons will help prevent cyber-bullying until we teach students to practice consideration, empathy, and inclusion in IRL interactions.
ReplyDeleteHi Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your post and the images you used to convey the overall theme of the post. It's necessary for our students to do just as you demonstrated and look critically at their online presence, and be made aware of how connected online and IRL really is. I'm honestly not that shocked to know officially that cyberbullying occurs even in the professional atmosphere as it seems these last few years have been screaming such actions from our news headlines. We know it happens especially if we have a presence online. I think it's key that we work on building good relationships with our students in real life, and have them build good relationships with one another to help foster a positive school environment. Communication, though, is key, and I think have the lessons you pointed out earlier in your post helps to foster those types of conversations that are necessary.
Thank you so much for your wonderful insight!
Hi Jennifer- Common Sense Media also has games students can play. It's a fun way to get kids thinking about digital citizenship. Your thoughts on helping students develop friendships is great way to help prevent bullying and build a sense of community in a school.
ReplyDeleteI was not aware of how much there was on Commonsense Media. I really like your idea of using the lessons as a weekly check-in. I know that the students in my school are getting very little in the way of digital citizenship. This will be a place to start, at least with my students.
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