Author: Jinnie Dorvilus
Introduction
The integration of technology is a school community effort. All hands need to be on deck, both in the classroom and beyond the classroom. Yes, that’s right parents, we need your help too. I know you’re probably thinking, “Huh, how can I help with technology integration?” Well I’m happy you asked. We are living in the 21st century. Majority of students have access to technology and a technology device. Within our school, all students have access to their own Chromebooks, although parents are made aware of this, it is important for them to understand the role they can play in the integration part.
Advice to parents
Administration in our school make a point to stress that teaching should begin the third week of school, with the first week be teaching routines, procedures and I took this advice and came up with a Chromebook contract. This contract states that parents are to work with the teacher in order to monitor students’ activities on the internet. The teacher will take responsibility of this during the school day and the parents will during the evenings and weekends. The parents and students will then sign the document and return it to the teacher. The contract is kept and referred to when needed. Parents, your role here is extremely important and calls for you to monitor your child’s activity whenever he/she is using technology.
Example
In reading a case study titled, New Bullying for the 21st Century: Cyber-Bullying in the Middle it is clear how technology plays a large role in our students’ lives currently. Social media is available to all and in many different forms, which makes it extremely difficult to protect our children/students from cyber-bullying. Now parents I know you are asking, “What exactly is cyber-bullying?” Here is the definition, “Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets. Cyberbullying can occur through SMS, Text, and apps, or online in social media, forums, or gaming where people can view, participate in, or share content. Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else. It can include sharing personal or private information about someone else causing embarrassment or humiliation. Some cyberbullying crosses the line into unlawful or criminal behavior.” (Stopbullying.gov, 2012)
Parents, I chose to tell you of this case study because it is important to see how a cyber-bullying situation can negatively affect a students’ actions, grades and emotional state. In the case study, there was a student with the username Babe-ahlicious who targeted another student and began to share their conversations so other students could see. This student was mortified and had no idea hat to do as they were afraid to share any information on the matter with their parents. The student feared further humiliation.
Conclusion
The case study states the calling (on behalf of employees and parents) to research ways to help students dealing with cyber-bullying. This is a great first step. Another idea is to allow a presentation on the topic or allow faculty to integrate it somewhere in the curriculum. This option helps also when the identity of the offender cannot be ascertained. This way all students are hearing the message and the offender is one of them. A final idea is to provide staff development and parent workshops on the topic so the school community can be well versed in the subject. Therefore, if a cyber-bullying situation arises again, the teachers and parents can work together and take the lead on it rather than waiting on administration to step in. It is my opinion that the entire school community should work together to ensure the safety of our students utilizing technology.
References
Shapiro, J. P., & Stefkovich, J. A. (2016). Technology versus respect. In Ethical leadership and decision making in education: Applying theoretical perspectives to complex dilemmas(4th ed., pp. 196-213). London, England: Routledge.
Stopbullying.gov. (2012, March 7). What Is Cyberbullying. Retrieved from https://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/what-is-it/index.html
Stopbullying.gov. (2012, March 13). Florida Anti-Bullying Laws & Policies. Retrieved from https://www.stopbullying.gov/laws/florida/index.html