Social Sites
HeyMilly posted a good post on Social sites and schools - http://ruthere.edublogs.org/2008/04/01/keeping-your-distance/
Its a nice post.
This is a discussion that is happening in schools through out NZ and right round the world.
I don’t believe in white listing sites, having strict restricted lists that limit access to only approved and checked sites (it reminds me too much of China). This does not teach our students responcible use, rather students will work around these restriction and gain access anyway.
Rather I support an open access process, unacceptable sites (the obvious ones) are blocked, but there is active monitoring and concequences for unacceptable behaviour.
The most effective concequence I have seen is showing the parents the site or sites that their son or daughter has visited. Showing the parents the cyberbullying, the unacceptable content they have posted or the pornography (or worse) they have viewed. Then putting in process, with the parents, suitable and appropriate concequences and more importantly support.
April 2nd, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Absolutely agree. Schools are very good at controlling students (or at least trying to). What we should be doing in this respect, is our job - educating.
April 4th, 2008 at 8:20 am
Bullying has always been a problem. Long before computers were invented, kids were making fun of other kids. It is the parents’ responsiblity to learn what their kids are doing. At least by monitoring the online behavior of their children, they can easily learn of their children’s activities. I applaud parents who are concerned enough to let their children know up front that they will be checking on their online visits.