Preventing Improper Use of Technology in the Classroom
With the ever-increasing use of technology in today’s Information Age, teachers, parents and administrators need to monitor student use of technology. Many students are displaying improper uses of technology. There are so many instances that are considered unsuitable uses of technology within schools. What are we to do about this? Here are three different grade level/subject areas that provide some new, creative ways to decrease inappropriate uses of technology.
Grades 9-12 English:
Students at the high school level have had the most experience with technology. By ninth grade, most students have had at least some exposure to lessons on plagiarism (including copyright infringement), cyberbullying, netiquette, and computer fraud. As a preventative, it is crucial to teach a minimum of a 1-week review lesson on these topics, after giving a pre-test to determine the students’ level of understanding. Luckily, many of the Common Core standards in English can be correlated through these lessons on appropriate technology use.
To begin a unit, it important to involve other teachers, administrators, and even parents with the topic. The students really need to feel the importance of this lesson in order to truly embrace it. Different guest speakers can be brought in to reinforce the issues as she teaches them. For instance, the principal could have a question/answer style discussion to talk about the rules, expectations, and consequences of plagiarism. In addition, someone from the County Attorney’s office and State Police could be brought in to discuss Computer Fraud and Abuse, possibly explaining about an arrest of a student their own age to really “hit home” with the severity of this issue (http://www.tbnweekly.com/pubs/largo_leader/content _articles/110710_lle-01.txt). Topics such as visiting inappropriate sites and doing illegal things online need to be addressed by these guest speakers. To assess student learning, a summative test should be given at the end of the unit, while continuing with formative evaluations throughout the school year.
In order for students to understand another major issue with improper use of technology, cyberbullying, a lesson can be taught using a blog titled “What’s Your Story?” to encourage families to discuss matters concerning the safe and responsible use of technology (http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/post/5-ways-to-teach-kids-to-use-technology-safely/2012/07/30/gJQAbEClLX_blog.html). One idea is to partner with another school in the area to increase the number of students accessing the site, even though it is opened up to the public. A resource to view before beginning this project is at the site http://internetsafety.trendmicro.com/the-%E2%80%9Cwhat%E2%80%99s
-your-story%E2%80%9D-campaign. Every student in the class is required to post a video, podcast, or essay regarding one of the many issues today in Internet safety. In addition, they are required to show proper netiquette as they post replies and comments.
4th-5th grade Technology class:
Students that are emerging into the middle school within a couple years need to have knowledge of the proper use of technology. Before doing research, it is important to teach students how to avoid plagiarism by showing the proper way to cite sources (while showing the students how to use Google Keep). At this age, many students don’t understand that they are not allowed to just copy what they find on the Internet. Plagiarism can be an issue at this grade level since many students “are not aware that what they are doing is considered cheating” (http://distancelearn. about.com/od/distancelearning101/a/Cheating-In-Online-College-Classes-A-Virtual-Epidemic.htm). The topic should be revisited many times throughout the year before beginning any online research. Since this grade level is mainly being introduced to the topic of plagiarism, it needs to be reviewed often and give the students lots of hands-on practice.
Most 9-11 year olds have probably already discovered mainstream social media sites, such as Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat and Facebook, just to name a few. This age is perfect for teaching the importance of netiquette, or Internet etiquette. One idea is to host a parent night at the beginning of the year on technology safety, with the idea borrowed from http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/post/5-ways-to-teach-kids-to-use-technology-safely/2012/07/30/gJQAbEClLX_blog.html. A free kit to plan and host an Internet Safety Night can be downloaded at http://www.ptotoday.com/sfn/isn. During the parent night, parents need to be made aware of the issues that their children may be facing at some point in their future. Schools need to explain to the parents how technology is used in the classroom, and how teachers within the building are able to connect this to their curriculum. The best part is that during this parent night, students get to show their families what they are creating in the classroom. For example, teachers could show parents an Edublog that the students use on a daily basis after each lesson for reflection. Such an introduction to a blogging tool can easily prompt the discussion of why it is important for parents and students to understand proper technology use. A parent night can also be a time to give each parent and student an acceptable use agreement and Code of Conduct form, which would be reviewed with them.
It is also important to mention during the parent night how the school is able to keep students safe online in school by using a web filter. Recommendations should be given to the parents on how to monitor their child’s technology use and help them stay safe online. Online monitoring software can be discussed, such as one called McGruff Safeguard.
6-9 grade Social Studies Blended learning classroom:
Even if you are exploring the idea of blended, hybrid or flipped learning, students still need to know how the improper use of technology. It is very important to let the students know your expectations of netiquette and inappropriate uses of technology right away. And of course, review, review, review.
One idea is to require students to take an online course about Internet safety, digital footprints and cyberbullying at the beginning of the school year. A similar course, also found successful, is required at Hanover County Middle School, Virginia (http://www.timesdispatch.
com/news/local/education/hanover-to-begin-teaching-middle-schoolers-netiquette/article_df36ac79-5495-57de-93fd-2caa3d7dbb05.html). Schools can then be sure that the kids have at least had exposure to these topics, therefore, they know they are being held accountable. Making sure that students understand the basics of proper technology use is only the beginning. Certain topics, such as plagiarism, need to be revisited frequently throughout any curriculum.
Another step to take before schools develop an online course to teach virtual citizenship is to require it among the students in other ways. For instance, EasyTech can help students learn about Internet safety, refresh their understanding on online fluency in researching, saving to the cloud, and communication.
With funding being what it is today in schools, these ideas may not work for everyone. But everyone can do something. Our kids have the future of the ever-emerging technology in their hands. It is our job as parents, teachers and community members to teach them how to properly use it!
Grades 9-12 English:
Students at the high school level have had the most experience with technology. By ninth grade, most students have had at least some exposure to lessons on plagiarism (including copyright infringement), cyberbullying, netiquette, and computer fraud. As a preventative, it is crucial to teach a minimum of a 1-week review lesson on these topics, after giving a pre-test to determine the students’ level of understanding. Luckily, many of the Common Core standards in English can be correlated through these lessons on appropriate technology use.
To begin a unit, it important to involve other teachers, administrators, and even parents with the topic. The students really need to feel the importance of this lesson in order to truly embrace it. Different guest speakers can be brought in to reinforce the issues as she teaches them. For instance, the principal could have a question/answer style discussion to talk about the rules, expectations, and consequences of plagiarism. In addition, someone from the County Attorney’s office and State Police could be brought in to discuss Computer Fraud and Abuse, possibly explaining about an arrest of a student their own age to really “hit home” with the severity of this issue (http://www.tbnweekly.com/pubs/largo_leader/content _articles/110710_lle-01.txt). Topics such as visiting inappropriate sites and doing illegal things online need to be addressed by these guest speakers. To assess student learning, a summative test should be given at the end of the unit, while continuing with formative evaluations throughout the school year.
In order for students to understand another major issue with improper use of technology, cyberbullying, a lesson can be taught using a blog titled “What’s Your Story?” to encourage families to discuss matters concerning the safe and responsible use of technology (http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/post/5-ways-to-teach-kids-to-use-technology-safely/2012/07/30/gJQAbEClLX_blog.html). One idea is to partner with another school in the area to increase the number of students accessing the site, even though it is opened up to the public. A resource to view before beginning this project is at the site http://internetsafety.trendmicro.com/the-%E2%80%9Cwhat%E2%80%99s
-your-story%E2%80%9D-campaign. Every student in the class is required to post a video, podcast, or essay regarding one of the many issues today in Internet safety. In addition, they are required to show proper netiquette as they post replies and comments.
4th-5th grade Technology class:
Students that are emerging into the middle school within a couple years need to have knowledge of the proper use of technology. Before doing research, it is important to teach students how to avoid plagiarism by showing the proper way to cite sources (while showing the students how to use Google Keep). At this age, many students don’t understand that they are not allowed to just copy what they find on the Internet. Plagiarism can be an issue at this grade level since many students “are not aware that what they are doing is considered cheating” (http://distancelearn. about.com/od/distancelearning101/a/Cheating-In-Online-College-Classes-A-Virtual-Epidemic.htm). The topic should be revisited many times throughout the year before beginning any online research. Since this grade level is mainly being introduced to the topic of plagiarism, it needs to be reviewed often and give the students lots of hands-on practice.
Most 9-11 year olds have probably already discovered mainstream social media sites, such as Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat and Facebook, just to name a few. This age is perfect for teaching the importance of netiquette, or Internet etiquette. One idea is to host a parent night at the beginning of the year on technology safety, with the idea borrowed from http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/post/5-ways-to-teach-kids-to-use-technology-safely/2012/07/30/gJQAbEClLX_blog.html. A free kit to plan and host an Internet Safety Night can be downloaded at http://www.ptotoday.com/sfn/isn. During the parent night, parents need to be made aware of the issues that their children may be facing at some point in their future. Schools need to explain to the parents how technology is used in the classroom, and how teachers within the building are able to connect this to their curriculum. The best part is that during this parent night, students get to show their families what they are creating in the classroom. For example, teachers could show parents an Edublog that the students use on a daily basis after each lesson for reflection. Such an introduction to a blogging tool can easily prompt the discussion of why it is important for parents and students to understand proper technology use. A parent night can also be a time to give each parent and student an acceptable use agreement and Code of Conduct form, which would be reviewed with them.
It is also important to mention during the parent night how the school is able to keep students safe online in school by using a web filter. Recommendations should be given to the parents on how to monitor their child’s technology use and help them stay safe online. Online monitoring software can be discussed, such as one called McGruff Safeguard.
6-9 grade Social Studies Blended learning classroom:
Even if you are exploring the idea of blended, hybrid or flipped learning, students still need to know how the improper use of technology. It is very important to let the students know your expectations of netiquette and inappropriate uses of technology right away. And of course, review, review, review.
One idea is to require students to take an online course about Internet safety, digital footprints and cyberbullying at the beginning of the school year. A similar course, also found successful, is required at Hanover County Middle School, Virginia (http://www.timesdispatch.
com/news/local/education/hanover-to-begin-teaching-middle-schoolers-netiquette/article_df36ac79-5495-57de-93fd-2caa3d7dbb05.html). Schools can then be sure that the kids have at least had exposure to these topics, therefore, they know they are being held accountable. Making sure that students understand the basics of proper technology use is only the beginning. Certain topics, such as plagiarism, need to be revisited frequently throughout any curriculum.
Another step to take before schools develop an online course to teach virtual citizenship is to require it among the students in other ways. For instance, EasyTech can help students learn about Internet safety, refresh their understanding on online fluency in researching, saving to the cloud, and communication.
With funding being what it is today in schools, these ideas may not work for everyone. But everyone can do something. Our kids have the future of the ever-emerging technology in their hands. It is our job as parents, teachers and community members to teach them how to properly use it!