Activity 9: Fitness Assessment
Scenario 3: Anonymous Blogging
Ms. Gifford learned about a new blog that does not require the arduous process of setting up individual accounts for each student. This seemed like an easy way to jump into blogging as a class. Ms. Gifford talked about acceptable use with her students but did not inform the principal or parents of her instructional goals or objectives for using a class blog. Because students did not have accounts, they were able to post comments on the blog anonymously. Although, this protected student privacy, it snowballed into a barrage of inappropriate and harassing comments. Ms. Gifford quickly shut the blog down and went back to the drawing board.
Ms. Gifford learned about a new blog that does not require the arduous process of setting up individual accounts for each student. This seemed like an easy way to jump into blogging as a class. Ms. Gifford talked about acceptable use with her students but did not inform the principal or parents of her instructional goals or objectives for using a class blog. Because students did not have accounts, they were able to post comments on the blog anonymously. Although, this protected student privacy, it snowballed into a barrage of inappropriate and harassing comments. Ms. Gifford quickly shut the blog down and went back to the drawing board.
1. Ethical Issues
Students will need to be educated about the fact that what they say online is no different than standing in front of their parents, family, and friends and stating the same words. The district has an acceptable use policy that also outlines the consequences of inappropriate use. It is our job to help students and parents understand that. Appropriate school language and behavior must be followed online as well as in the classroom.
2. Safety/Well Being
Absolutely the well-being of students is a factor here. Students are responsible for treating one another kindly as it directly relates to self esteem and therefore academic performance. Online bullying/harassment is no different than in person. The teacher, parents, and school will need to deal with these actions and the lesson would need to be suspended until appropriate changes can be made.
3. Advice/Strategy/Policy
I would always choose a blog where students are required to login. This will hold students accountable for their words. I would also go over the district's policies with students and parents before using any blog. Our district requires a signed contract on appropriate use. I
4. Personal Experience
I have never used a blog or any technology where students respond online, so I have nothing to add!
Scenario 6: Course Management Overload
Ms. Carlson is excited to use Edmodo, a course management system similar to Moodle with her students. Although Edmodo isn’t officially supported by the tech department like Moodle is, she is excited to use it because she finds it much more intuitive to use and she likes the interface better than Moodle. Ms. Carlson is vigilant about the privacy settings, has informed her principal and parents of her instructional goals and objectives. Her students jump on board and post to the discussion at record numbers. Ms. Carlson is pleased to see such motivated dialogue on a novel that had previously felt like pulling teeth. Two weeks into the unit, she receives a parent complaint. The complaint is as follows:
Dear Ms. Carlson, Mr. Miller, Mr. Hamilton and Ms. McIntyre,
Although my son is a motivated and active participant in all of your classes, I am concerned that the school does not seem to have a unified course management system. He is using Moodle in Math, Edmodo in English, Schoology in Science, and Kidblog in Social Studies. Furthermore, all of these sites require different logins and passwords. As a parent, I am having a difficult time keeping this all straight and am requesting that the school discuss this issue and figure out a more streamlined approach.
Thank you for your consideration,
A supportive but confused parent
Ms. Carlson is excited to use Edmodo, a course management system similar to Moodle with her students. Although Edmodo isn’t officially supported by the tech department like Moodle is, she is excited to use it because she finds it much more intuitive to use and she likes the interface better than Moodle. Ms. Carlson is vigilant about the privacy settings, has informed her principal and parents of her instructional goals and objectives. Her students jump on board and post to the discussion at record numbers. Ms. Carlson is pleased to see such motivated dialogue on a novel that had previously felt like pulling teeth. Two weeks into the unit, she receives a parent complaint. The complaint is as follows:
Dear Ms. Carlson, Mr. Miller, Mr. Hamilton and Ms. McIntyre,
Although my son is a motivated and active participant in all of your classes, I am concerned that the school does not seem to have a unified course management system. He is using Moodle in Math, Edmodo in English, Schoology in Science, and Kidblog in Social Studies. Furthermore, all of these sites require different logins and passwords. As a parent, I am having a difficult time keeping this all straight and am requesting that the school discuss this issue and figure out a more streamlined approach.
Thank you for your consideration,
A supportive but confused parent
1. Ethical Issues
I don't see any ethical issues with this scenario. I guess I would check with the district to make sure that all those sites are okay to use and follow any suggestions the district would have.
2. Safety/Well Being
I also think there are no issues here - at least at the elementary level. For students in middle and high school, the parent could be interfering a bit too much. Students seem able to manage a variety of sites and logins in the social networking scene and could learn to do so for educational purposes.
3. Advice/Strategy/Policy
I feel like exposing students to these sites for legitimate purposes, increases their overall learning. In this case, it sounds like the kids have managed okay, but the parent is uncomfortable with all these sites. We need to take some time to help parents navigate this new frontier in education. Is has been overwhelming for me as a teacher, and I imagine will also be difficult as a parent. I want to be able to help my child at home. It may be a good idea to post a tutorial or video on how to navigate these sites for both students and parents. This would be proactive, and help parents get on board without being too intimidated. The district may need to look into paying some teachers to do some parent education face to face as well. We do place a significant weight on parent interaction in their child's education.
4. Personal Experience
Again - I don't have any! Although I do think we are going through a transition to having parents get used to going to the website for information. We are really doing double (and triple) duty right now having to make paper copies, upload to our website, and send out emails.
I agree with Barb -- screencast! Technology is our world whether we and parents want to embrace it or not. Lucky us -- we're the pioneers trying to help kids and their parents navigate the waters but we don't have a map!!! So with all of our unlimited time, we have to draw the map and write the rules, too, I guess.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Anne and Barb! I think we will have to take small steps and work on one screencast at a time. Before we know it, it will be Winter Break and we will have completed a section of a map that others can draw upon and add to.
ReplyDeleteGood! Knowing the district policy, if there is one on particular tools, is important to know before planning to use it in your class. It is way better to be proactive than reactive!
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