Do you like to work at your own pace? Do you like work from home in your PJs? Do you like to work alone, in the quiet?
OR
Do you like to work collaboratively with people face to face? Do you enjoy immediate feedback?
Many students (both young and old) are now being given the opportunity to complete school work at their own pace (asynchronous) or face to face (F2F- synchronous). Which do you chose? Be sure that you constantly interact on both accounts!
Netiquette is how we treat each other online. Be careful you aren't "flaming"! Many people, including students, need to be careful when responding to others online. This is not limited to emails, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, texting, etc. There are times to use smiley faces and cute pictures, and there are times to type in a business manner (such as a college application). However, sometimes people may not understand your tone so be careful with your words as it could be easily misconstrued. (Maybe using an emote would be appropriate here?). I think it is important to teach children the appropriate use of emotes, showing an appropriate tone when emailing or texting, don't "flame" others", and respond with appropriate language (no slang or shorthand!).
What about when you respond by posting on someone's blog or website/space?
by Jacqui Sharp
How does Technology help students with Autism?
Technology helps all students, not just students who do not have specials needs. Students with specials needs sometime require a different methodology in instruction, which can also include technology. I believe as teachers, we must be able to also differentiate our methods in using technology for all students so that every student is able to use the technology to help them access the curriculum.
In the ECHOES program in the UK, teachers at this school have "found that the ECHOES program has greatly helped the children improve their social and communication skills. [In fact teachers were] surprised at the extent to which the children engaged with the technology". Technology can greatly help children of all needs, especially those who may be autistic and need help adjusting socially and academically.
Technology could be as simple as accessing Word documents for enlarging print or a reader, to more complex technologies such as face recognition for correcting facial emotions.
Facts Each individual experiences the diagnosis differently. There is no medical cure for autism. Autism is the fastest growing developmental disability. More kids will be diagnosed this year than pediatric AIDS, diabetes and cancer combined. Figures 1 in every 88 children has an autism spectrum disorder (1 in 54 in boys). Autism is 4 times more prevalent in boys than girls. 1 to 1.5 million people in the United States live with autism. Families spend an average of $60,000 each year on autism treatment and therapies. Average cost of autism over the lifespan is $3.2 million dollars. The National Institute of Health set a funding budget of $30.86 billion dollars in 2012. Autism research received $169 million of this, which totals one-half of a percent (0.55%) of funding.
Children who are cyberbullied are left at a vulnerable state. As we know, anything that is said, uploaded, etc. to the web, it will always stay there. Bullying is something that is now being taken to the internet where our students have an ease of access. This is more difficult to monitor, which makes action more difficult. However, no matter how insignificant, students are still reacting to the bullying with emotional outrage and even suicide. As a teacher, I firmly believe trying to teach children acceptance and tolerance of others. We must teach the students that the rules against bullying follow them in to the cyberspace world as well.
What is Cyberbullying?: Cyberbullying is the use of the Internet and related technologies to harm other people, in a deliberate, repeated, and hostile manner. As it has become more common in society, particularly among young people, legislation and awareness campaigns have arisen to combat it. (from wikipedia)
Generally, children who are bullied have one or more of the following risk factors:
Are perceived as different from their peers, such as being overweight or underweight, wearing glasses or different clothing, being new to a school, or being unable to afford what kids consider “cool”
Are perceived as weak or unable to defend themselves
Are depressed, anxious, or have low self esteem
Are less popular than others and have few friends
Do not get along well with others, seen as annoying or provoking, or antagonize others for attention
However, even if a child has these risk factors, it doesn’t mean that they will be bullied.
Children More Likely to Bully Others
There are two types of kids who are more likely to bully others:
Some are well-connected to their peers, have social power, are overly concerned about their popularity, and like to dominate or be in charge of others.
Others are more isolated from their peers and may be depressed or anxious, have low self esteem, be less involved in school, be easily pressured by peers, or not identify with the emotions or feelings of others.
Children who have these factors are also more likely to bully others;
Are aggressive or easily frustrated
Have less parental involvement or having issues at home
Think badly of others
Have difficulty following rules
View violence in a positive way
Have friends who bully others
Remember, those who bully others do not need to be stronger or bigger than those they bully. The power imbalance can come from a number of sources—popularity, strength, cognitive ability—and children who bully may have more than one of these characteristics.
Kids who are bullied can experience negative physical, school, and mental health issues. Kids who are bullied are more likely to experience:
Depression and anxiety, increased feelings of sadness and loneliness, changes in sleep and eating patterns, and loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy. These issues may persist into adulthood.
Health complaints
Decreased academic achievement—GPA and standardized test scores—and school participation. They are more likely to miss, skip, or drop out of school.
A very small number of bullied children might retaliate through extremely violent measures. In 12 of 15 school shooting cases in the 1990s, the shooters had a history of being bullied.
Kids Who Bully Others
Kids who bully others can also engage in violent and other risky behaviors into adulthood. Kids who bully are more likely to:
Abuse alcohol and other drugs in adolescence and as adults
Get into fights, vandalize property, and drop out of school
Engage in early sexual activity
Have criminal convictions and traffic citations as adults
Be abusive toward their romantic partners, spouses, or children as adults
Bystanders
Kids who witness bullying are more likely to:
Have increased use of tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs
Have increased mental health problems, including depression and anxiety
Miss or skip school
The Relationshipbetween Bullying and Suicide
Media reports often link bullying with suicide. However, most youth who are bullied do not have thoughts of suicide or engage in suicidal behaviors.
Although kids who are bullied are at risk of suicide, bullying alone is not the cause. Many issues contribute to suicide risk, including depression, problems at home, and trauma history. Additionally, specific groups have an increased risk of suicide, including American Indian and Alaskan Native, Asian American, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth. This risk can be increased further when these kids are not supported by parents, peers, and schools. Bullying can make an unsupportive situation worse.
Internet safety is very important. It is one of the first steps in keeping our students safe online. The internet contains an abundance and wealth of information. However, we must ensure that our students are safe while accessing the plethora of knowledge that is so easily accessible. Some people believe that children should be given free reign when using the computer and some people believe that children should be strictly monitored. I believe that as our students get older, we need to help teach them healthy choices when they navigate the net.
Online Safety Tips: Top Ten Tips for Parents to Share with their Kids About Online Behavior
by Jacqui Sharp
