Cyberbullying is defined as "an aggressive behavior that involves unwanted, negative actions; involves a pattern of behavior repeated over time; involves an imbalance of power and strength." (Boyd) Danah Boyd's article co-authored with Alice Marwick stated that "adult rhetoric is going in the wrong direction and failing to realize why it is counterproductive." I agree with this statement. I was bullied when I was a kid and any time I told an adult about it, one believed me and thought we were "playing games" when it was serious business. Luckily, the bullying ended for me but I never forgot that adults never tried to help me, even when I asked. I can't imagine what it could have been like for kids like Jamie Rodemeyer who were tormented because they were different and couldn't see a way out of the torment and bullying. As a librarian, I want to be able to be able to educate students about internet safety and preventing cyberbullying. For example, I want to explain to students how to avoid cyberbullies by blocking them and their hurtful content. I want students to know how to document the bullying so that their oppressors will be held accountable. Schools should have support networks to let these victims know that they are capable of overcoming the bullying. Teachers (library teachers included) need to empower students who are being bullied so they don't feel defeated emotionally, mentally, etc. Students should have a place to go when they are feeling bullied and can seek help. Kids like Jamie should not have to suffer in silence.
There are many educational resources out there about cyberbullying.
Cyber Smart Curriculum
Curriculum Connection Cyberbullying
Videos on Cyberbullying and More (One of my colleagues-Julianne-suggested this site to me recently.)
More Cyberbullying Videos
Boyd, D., & Marwick, A. (2011). Why Cyberbullying Rhetoric Misses the Mark: Bullying as True Drama.The New York Times, . Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/23/opinion/why-cyberbullying-rhetoric-misses-the-mark.html?_r=2
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Internet filters in schools
Taking a break from my steady updates concerning the NYLA Conference last week to discuss internet filters in schools...
This week in IST 611, we are discussing internet safety. It's a topic I am fairly passionate about. I understand the need to have filters in the school systems to prevent accessing inappropriate sites but I feel the teachers should have a say in what's deemed appropriate and unappropriate. Without the teachers' input, I believe we are hindering our students ability to learn how to navigate the web safely and also denying students the right to develop 21st century learning skills by using educational Web2.0 websites such as blogging sites, Twitter, facebook, and EdModo.
I've heard plenty of cases where these sites are blocked by the school district with little to no leeway in unblocking the sites despite teacher input. I know a local high school librarian in my area wanted to use EdModo as an alternative to facebook to create a learning environment with her students back in September; though I am not sure if she was able to unblock the site. I am currently working on a collaborative technology project for class where my group is creating video tutorials to share with a local high school library to aid students in navigating different parts of the website such as how to use databases and the catalog online. However, we have hit a road-bump in finding a filter-approved site to post our videos on for our collaborating librarian. I understand we want to protect students from the "bad stuff" out there but we can easily do that by teaching students internet safety and monitoring their internet use.
After that long rant, I want to get to one of the proposed topics of discussion this week: Should filters be the final authority? Who should be responsible for the safety of children online? What measures can we take to protect them beyond filters?
I don't think filters should be the final authority. I understand blocking the obvious sites like pornography or online gambling sites. However, when it comes to other websites....Who is to deem whether or not a certain website is appropriate? What criteria are we basing these decisions on? We can't keep our students safe online if all we do is shelter them from the realities of the internet. It becomes our job as educators to educate students about internet safety and alert them to the dangers and consequences of being unsafe on the internet. We, the teachers, are responsible for keeping our students and ourselves safe online. We should be teaching lessons about safety online including safety when using social networking platforms. Many social networking sites are blocked by filters but can be used for educational activities. Does the teacher really need to argue for this right for students to learn and express themselves in a public venue for educational purposes? In most cases, yes; because our internet filtering is TOO restrictive. I call for a reevaluation of filters with teacher input. We can easily protect our students beyond filters by teaching them online safety and monitoring their computer use.
This week in IST 611, we are discussing internet safety. It's a topic I am fairly passionate about. I understand the need to have filters in the school systems to prevent accessing inappropriate sites but I feel the teachers should have a say in what's deemed appropriate and unappropriate. Without the teachers' input, I believe we are hindering our students ability to learn how to navigate the web safely and also denying students the right to develop 21st century learning skills by using educational Web2.0 websites such as blogging sites, Twitter, facebook, and EdModo.
I've heard plenty of cases where these sites are blocked by the school district with little to no leeway in unblocking the sites despite teacher input. I know a local high school librarian in my area wanted to use EdModo as an alternative to facebook to create a learning environment with her students back in September; though I am not sure if she was able to unblock the site. I am currently working on a collaborative technology project for class where my group is creating video tutorials to share with a local high school library to aid students in navigating different parts of the website such as how to use databases and the catalog online. However, we have hit a road-bump in finding a filter-approved site to post our videos on for our collaborating librarian. I understand we want to protect students from the "bad stuff" out there but we can easily do that by teaching students internet safety and monitoring their internet use.
After that long rant, I want to get to one of the proposed topics of discussion this week: Should filters be the final authority? Who should be responsible for the safety of children online? What measures can we take to protect them beyond filters?
I don't think filters should be the final authority. I understand blocking the obvious sites like pornography or online gambling sites. However, when it comes to other websites....Who is to deem whether or not a certain website is appropriate? What criteria are we basing these decisions on? We can't keep our students safe online if all we do is shelter them from the realities of the internet. It becomes our job as educators to educate students about internet safety and alert them to the dangers and consequences of being unsafe on the internet. We, the teachers, are responsible for keeping our students and ourselves safe online. We should be teaching lessons about safety online including safety when using social networking platforms. Many social networking sites are blocked by filters but can be used for educational activities. Does the teacher really need to argue for this right for students to learn and express themselves in a public venue for educational purposes? In most cases, yes; because our internet filtering is TOO restrictive. I call for a reevaluation of filters with teacher input. We can easily protect our students beyond filters by teaching them online safety and monitoring their computer use.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
NYLA '11: Video Game Design- No Programming Needed
This session was presented by Trevor Oakley, an excellent teen librarian at the Saratoga Springs Public Library.
I loved seeing how simple it was to help teens create their own games. The best part about being able to help teens create games- IT'S FREE!! I think this would be a great programming idea for teen librarians. I look forward to creating my own games over winter break, when I have more of that non-renewable resource to spare!
Here's a link to Trevor's Prezi presentation:
http://prezi.com/axnffvj5glru/nyla-2011-video-game-design-for-teens-no-programming-required/
Oakley, Trevor. "Video Game Design; No Programming Needed." Saratoga Hilton, New York Library Association Conference. Saratoga Springs, NY. 4 Nov. 2011.
I loved seeing how simple it was to help teens create their own games. The best part about being able to help teens create games- IT'S FREE!! I think this would be a great programming idea for teen librarians. I look forward to creating my own games over winter break, when I have more of that non-renewable resource to spare!
Here's a link to Trevor's Prezi presentation:
http://prezi.com/axnffvj5glru/nyla-2011-video-game-design-for-teens-no-programming-required/
Oakley, Trevor. "Video Game Design; No Programming Needed." Saratoga Hilton, New York Library Association Conference. Saratoga Springs, NY. 4 Nov. 2011.
NYLA '11: 21 More Ideas for 21st Century Libraries
This program was presented by husband-wife team: Rob Cullin and Kimberly Bolan Cullin and discussed 21 innovations to improve library customer service, facilities, technology, and more.
I liked that they emphasized the point that libraries now are the community and cultural hubs of society, serve as collaborative spaces, and technology centers. We need to adapt to this changing world in order to maintain our place in it. The Cullins emphasized using the lean thinking business strategy in libraries; improve quality, reallocate resource, eliminate waste, and reduce costs.
Best ideas below:
I liked that they emphasized the point that libraries now are the community and cultural hubs of society, serve as collaborative spaces, and technology centers. We need to adapt to this changing world in order to maintain our place in it. The Cullins emphasized using the lean thinking business strategy in libraries; improve quality, reallocate resource, eliminate waste, and reduce costs.
Best ideas below:
- using iPads for roaming reference
- Nonfiction is being weeded constantly out of libraries
- In 5-10 years, eReaders will be prevalent in society.
- Organize the library as a popular, shoppable library
- Eliminate spine out book-shelving, for children especially; covers out shelving
- combined service points; reference and circulation at the same desk
- supported self-service-staffed, self served
- pulled pick up- private holds
- Skype station for reference inquiries
- Co-working space
- for two small business owners to meet in the library, etc.
- Librarians need to be technology experts.
- How do I download books to my eReader?
- Digital Creativity Centers (This example is from the Barrington Area Library in Illinois.)
See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=2krOJOieJzM - Allow eating and drinking in the library
- special cafes
- Sound and multimedia- incorporate these ideas into your library
Cullins, Kim and Rob. "21 More Ideas for 21st Century Libraries." Saratoga Hilton, New York Library Association Conference. Saratoga Springs, NY. 3 Nov. 2011.
Friday, November 4, 2011
NYLA 11 It's Just the Beginning
I am pleased to say my first official library conference has been a rather pleasant, thought-provoking, and interesting experience all around. I enjoyed mingling with summer classmates (Julianne and Kate!), meeting my slew of on campus cohorts (so many names to list here, it was a pleasure to meet them all!), THE Barbara Stripling, and many other librarians and professionals. I attended some great sessions and cannot wait to share some of the things I learned with my readers and colleagues.
I made myself at home sitting at a table of librarians during the NYLA Networking Breakfast. I ran into Alison Herrero, an adult services librarian at Howland Public Library, multiple times during the conference as she was also NYLA New Members committee member who coordinated volunteers at the NMRT booth. Volunteering was a great experience. I met a couple of people including a local librarian and a U.Albany student both who I spoke with for long periods of time.
There are so many ways to get teens involved:
I made myself at home sitting at a table of librarians during the NYLA Networking Breakfast. I ran into Alison Herrero, an adult services librarian at Howland Public Library, multiple times during the conference as she was also NYLA New Members committee member who coordinated volunteers at the NMRT booth. Volunteering was a great experience. I met a couple of people including a local librarian and a U.Albany student both who I spoke with for long periods of time.
The first session I attended was Connecting with Teens Through Social Media with author Michelle Zink.She lives in a household of teens; her four kids range from 12-19. She made a great point that social media bridges the gap between teens and adults. Teens seem to be mostly involved on facebook and tumblr; many teens don't see a point in Twitter yet because they simply view it as a "glorified facebook status." (my words) Forums are another great way for teens to discuss anything from books to movies to video games.
The big thing is you want to get teens involved in social media within your library. For instance, you can have a teen blog for you and become a library advocate. This does not mean they are blogging everything library like; they can blog about anything they are thinking about-books, school, movies, etc. within reasonable bounds. The idea is to connect with teens; not to sell them. Michelle gets great input from teens on her facebook asking for their suggestions for a "song of the week" every Tuesday. Teens really like to share what they are listening to with someone who cares.There are so many ways to get teens involved:
- enlist someone to run the library's facebook page and Twitter account
- create a review blog by teens, for teens
- assemble a teen advisory committee
- host a contest for mock book jacket design, book trailers, etc. (Note: authors like to donate prizes for library contests)
Social networking is an open door for teens. I really enjoyed this presentation because this topic is something I really focus on when I get my first library job. I generated an idea for a series of social networking workshops which I would love to make happen in the future so I took a great deal away from this presentation.
Zink, Michelle. "Rocking New York Teens with Social Media." Saratoga Hilton, New York Library Association Conference. Saratoga Springs, NY. 3 Nov. 2011.
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