Set up Anonymous Bully Reporting with Cel.ly

While innovative educators know that empowering students to use their own devices for learning is necessary for student success, the conversation of bullying often comes up as well. Not only are student-owned devices great learning tools, they also are great tools for helping to address bullying. A resource like Cel.ly provides a powerful tool for teaching and learning as shared in my book Teaching Generation Text and on my blog. As I've also shared on my blog, it is among several texting tools that can be used to report bullying. What's nice is that if you want, with Cel.ly you can make the reports anonymous.   Here is how schools can setup their own anonymous tip lines. 

Addressing the #bullying problem starts with adults

Editor's note:  October is National Bullying Prevention Month. It was created to raise awareness about bullying prevention. This post brings attention to a problem that we sometimes forget or are too uncomfortable to discuss. Bullying does not discriminate based on age.  If you know better, you can do better. Don't sit by and watch on, stand up and speak out when you notice someone is the target of bullying.

Educators and parents constantly discuss the nature of bullying. Despite the intensity of the focus on children, do we, as adults, focus adequately on our own social behavior?

I was recently the target of bullying. 


While this behavior was upsetting, the reaction of those who were drawn into the situation was even more revealing. The bullying problem so prevalent in school years, often carries on into adult years with little thought given to it because, after all, these are adults. Adults however are the very people who often work with or have children. If adults can’t navigate right from wrong, is it any wonder that this is such a problem with youth today?

The story

Cyberbullying Infographic

This infographic captures some important points around the topics of safety, privacy, and cyberbullying. Take a look. What do you think? Is there anything you would change? How do you think teens might react? Do you have any ideas for inspiring students to read this and/or classroom discussion?

Call for Innovative Educators to become Common Sense Media reviewers

Common Sense Media is embarking on a new learning ratings initiative to rate and review apps, games, and websites for learning potential. They're seeking 50 of the nation's most innovative educators to help rate and review!Expert reviewers will be named a Common Sense Expert Reviewer, honored at our annual awards in March 2013, and much more!

Thinking Outside the Ban Keeps Students Safe Online

Our student's digital footprints usually begin before they ever even start school, but once they're there, it is the job of the 21st century school to ensure parents and their children are developing a positive digital footprint that will result in future success. This does not mean banning, blocking, or scaring children about the dangers of the internet. It does not mean keeping children anonymous online.  It means teachers modeling safe and responsible online behavior.  It means helping students think about what the internet is saying about them and those they know and care about. It means talking to them about how to harness the power of the internet. It means empowering them to create an online persona representative of how they want the world to view them.

The below presentation outlines why it is important to move from banning and blocking social media to empowering students to use this resource. It features real ways this is being done in elementary and secondary school. It also provides ideas for analyzing what the internet says about us and suggests some food for thought around how educators will incorporate social media into their work with their students. 

Facebook in Education on Prezi

Social media doesn’t “cause” unprofessional or inappropriate behavior. It “catches” it.

Something interesting has been happening across schools and districts in response to online safety concerns.  Instead of empowering and teaching students how to harness the power of the internet and social media they are banning teachers from interacting with teachers in online spaces like Facebook. These misguided schools and districts like this one in Ontario tell educators, students, and parents that,

"The use of the Internet and social media, despite best intentions, may cause members to forget their professional responsibilities and the unique position of trust and authority given to them by society,"

Really?  Do policy makers really think the Internet and social media “cause" such behaviors or "catch" em? When we block and ban are we doing what’s best for kids or are we doing what is more convenient for those in charge who would have an easier time if they didn’t have to deal with such issues?  

World’s simplest online safety policy

Editor's note: Tom Whitby and I co-wrote and cross posted this piece.  Check the comments on his blog and in Diigo here. If you like this post, you might also be interested in The World's Simplest Social Media Policy
When it comes to upgrading education to the 21st Century, those who are less supportive of change, often hide behind, or are frightened of acronyms like FERPA, CIPA, COPPA. This is sometimes done intentionally for convenience, or unwittingly out of ignorance. Of course in a litigious society such as ours has become, law suits are foremost in the minds of administrators. It is for that reason that a clear understanding is needed by all constituents. Our students need adults to stop being afraid, and stop hiding, so education can get out of the shadows and into the light of the world in which our children live.  

These acts were created to protect children. They were not created to keep students stuck in the past, educated in a disconnected school environment that shares little resemblance to the real world for which we should be preparing our children.  These acts do not say we can’t publish online student’s names, videos, work, pictures, etc. They do not prevent us from using social media, YouTube, email, or any of those things that may be blocked in many school districts. An important goal of education is to strive for creation and publication of content by students. In today’s world technology and the Internet are an essential components of that process.

By blocking students from the digital world, the jobs of administrators and educators are made easier, but if people became teachers, education leaders or parents because it was easy, they’ve selected the wrong profession.While it is true that banninig is an easy way out, doing so is short sighted and not visionary. It does not approach the innovative status that we hear so much about.  If you’re wondering how to navigate these waters and what is really allowed, read on to find a simple policy that addresses the three main acts: FERPA, CIPA, and COPPA explaining:

• a simple policy
• how to do it
• why to do it
• safety
• a link to each act
• a brief overview of each act
• what it means to educators
• a real life example of each

World’s simplest online safety policy

Students can access websites that do not contain or that filter mature content. They can use their real names, pictures, and work (as long it doesn’t have a grade/score from a school) with the notification and/or permission of the student and their parent or guardian.

The World's Simplest Social Media Policy

I often share my disappointment around the fear of using social media for learning and connecting in posts like this one Kids and teachers are interacting. Everybody panic. Social media is ubiquitous in the lives of our students and it makes sense to go to where the students are. I shared this in my post where students explain 10 Ways Facebook Strengthens the Student-Teacher Connection. In that article you'll also hear from librarian Michelle Luhtala who helped break the ban on social media in her school. A video included in the article shows what happens when students are given the trust and freedom to learn using Facebook.  This is working in elementary schools as well which I shared in 8 Real Ways Facebook Enriched Ms. Shoening's First Grade Class. 

The reality is the power of social media is enormous.  It's what students are using to make a difference, our president used to get elected, and what Egypt used to start a revolution.  Educators must get over their fears lest they make themselves irrelevant and leave their students unprepared.  As I shared in my post Being Safe Online Is Being Safe In Life, the lesson is this.  It's not primarily having a social networking profile, or giving out  personal information that puts kids at risk. What puts kids in danger is being willing to talk about sex online with strangers or having a pattern of multiple risky activities on the web like going to sex sites and chat rooms, meeting lots of people there, kind of behaving in what we call like an internet daredevil. As the post is titled, the rules for being safe online are really just the rules for being safe in life. 

We don't need a complicated policy that runs on for pages that no one can understand.  What we do need is a common sense policy like the one shared by Mike Brown on the Nate Riggs Social Business Strategies blog.  The policy was made for business and works for education as well.  The policy was written for social media, but also applies to face-to-face.  Here it is with some slight schooly revisions from me.

“Will what you’re about to share offend, surprise, or shock your current or future

• Classmates 
• Teacher 
• Friends
• Boyfriend/girlfriend 
• Family
• Parents
• Employer
• Clients
• Business partners

in a way which critically jeopardizes your relationship? If you answer even one “Yes” for this short list of people, think long and hard before publishing your content.”


Now isn't that easy?  A smart guide for life online and off.  For the original post visit Mike Brown on The World’s Simplest Social Media Policy.

Being Safe Online Is Being Safe In Life

When I advise parents and educators that they should just say yes, when it comes to publishing online, the conversation often defaults to concerns of student safety.  I attribute this in large part to fear of the unknown from those not involved in online environments and the sensationalism of shows like Dateline’s To Catch a Predator.” The reality is that historically children’s names and photographs have been shared for years without negative ramifications.  Think coverage of youth sports programs, celebrations, valedictorians, contest winners etc.  However, when it comes to publishing online often those not deeply literate in such worlds become afraid the unknown.  


If they did know they would discover that student work can and should be published with their full name if that is the choice, or with an alias if there is fear around using a child’s real name.  That all online sites let you control privacy settings if you’d like, but there is something to be said for the idea that’s it’s never too early to start an online digital footprint.  Some say that will be the resume/portfolio of the not-too-distant future.  That it is rare you will find anyone who has run into safety issues as a result of publishing or having a presence online.  Instead, it is a result of the risky or inappropriate behavior in which they engaged.  

Simply put, the lesson is there are few rules unique to ensuring safety online, but rather, the rules are general ones that should be applied online or off.  In short, treat an online environment much as you would a playground or park.  They are fantastic settings for youth to interact, socialize, learn, and connect with new friends.  Adults should ensure the safety of the facility before allowing youth to be there.  Depending on the age of the youth, an adult should be in the vicinity, just in case something unexpected happens.  Children should be careful when talking to strangers and immediately share with an adult if there is anything that seems uncomfortable. Treat others with kindness and respect. Don’t mislead others about your intentions.  Be aware of someone seems out of place or just not right.  Report that to an adult too.  It is really the lessons we’ve been aware of for a long time.  


The difference is that when it comes to online environments, I’ve often heard adults saying and believing they don’t belong there.  Take Facebook for example.  What on earth is going on there.  Parents don’t think they have the right to be their child’s friend.  Educators are being banned from interacting with children for fear that the medium will turn them into some sort of inappropriate molester.  Where has the common sense gone.  We have become a confused society that is banning communication on certain mediums which have no intent, rather than addressing the behaviors we are trying to prevent.  

When educators and students are empowered to use online tools her are some of the terrific things that happen.  

• Students have the opportunity for their work to be authentically published and celebrated for consumption by real audiences.  
• Teacher - student relationships are strengthened.
• The home - school connection is strengthened.
• Students learn to create a respectable digital footprint of which they are proud.  Visit this link and this link and this link.

Think about it.  Have you ever known someone who acted appropriately online who ended up in danger?  If your answer is yes, is this really a function of the medium or the behavior which could occur online or offline?  The fact is that if we were really concerned about keeping children safe we wouldn’t be worrying about what they are doing online.  Instead we’d start with the home which is where most cases of child maltreatment occur.  As the below chart from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children & Families Child Maltreatment Report indicates, 81% of those responsible for the maltreatment of children are indeed the child’s parents (http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/pubs/cm08/table3_15.htm, 2009)



David Finkelhor, from the Crimes Against Children Research Center sheds some light on this issues during an interview with SafeKids.com (http://www.safekids.com/2008/05) stating:  

"It's not primarily having a social networking profile or giving out  personal information that puts kids at risk. What puts kids at risk are things     like having a lot of conflict with your parents, being depressed and socially isolated, being hyper, communicating with a lot of people who you don't  know, being willing to talk about sex online with people that you don't know."  

Similarly, the Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory Committee explains it this way:

It’s not giving out personal information that puts kid at risk. It’s not having a blog or a personal website that does that either. What puts kids in danger is being willing to talk about sex online with strangers or having a pattern of multiple risky activities on the web like going to sex sites and chat rooms, meeting lots of people there, kind of behaving in what we call like an internet daredevil.

Over at The Island View blog Tom Whitby says it well in his post The Blame Game. He says that given the hard facts it is clear our best defense for our children is education, not banning. Just as we should we would not ban family reunions, picnics, block parties, or other such functions, the Internet is also something we should not keep away from our children. The internet in general and social media in particular have the ability to not only start a revolution, but revolutionize the world.  It is a tool necessary not only for knowing about politics and elected officials, but one that is necessary if today’s children want to become one.  It is something that enables our children not to just publish for an audience of one (the teacher) or even some (the class), but a tool to connect with, communicate, with and create with others around the world who share their passions, interests, and talents.  


It’s time for adults to stop holding today’s youth in your past and instead join them in their worlds and empower and support them in discovering and developing effective ways to harness their future.  

Clicking with Caution Internet Safety Video

Clicking with Caution is a series of educational videos, created by kids for kids, to raise awareness of internet risks and teach preventive measures. The series was made in collaboration with the NYC Dept of Education’s Office of Instructional (now Educational) Technology and the Mayor’s office in partnership with Reel Works Teen Filmmaking and Microsoft. Students will enjoy these videos even more when they discover they were produced by twenty young ReelWorks filmmakers who drew from their own experiences online and worked with professional directors to create these powerful messages. The series features introductions by “Gossip Girl” star Jessica Szohr and contains two narrative pieces and two documentaries, covering the following topics:

Online Sexual Predators:
Young people must be cautious when using chat rooms or social networking sites. This video shows children how to protect themselves from people they meet on these Web sites who may be dangerous.

Cyber Bullying:
Students often do not realize that the Internet—through Web sites, blogs, social networking, e-mail, and instant messaging—can escalate bullying behavior. This video shows students the consequences of cyber bullying and how they should handle these situations.

Maintaining Anonymity:
Teenagers tend to reveal personal information online without realizing it. Watching this video will help children avoid accidentally sharing personal information with strangers that could put them at risk.

Online Gaming:
Internet gaming has become a popular hobby for students, but it is important to remind kids that excessive gaming can be harmful.

“In today’s digital world, one online mistake can have a dramatic impact on your future,” said Fred Humphries, Microsoft’s Managing Director, U.S. Government Affairs. “These videos help teens understand the real-world consequences of the choices they make while using social networking sites, visiting chat rooms or gaming online.”

While it’s certainly important to ensure students are safe online, it is equally important that we teach the benefits of being online and establishing a purposeful digital footprint.

You can view the video by clicking on the “Clicking with Caution” image on this post.

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Related Reading:
HOW DO I HELP MY CHILD LEARN TO USE THE INTERNET WISELY?

Ten Innovative Ideas for Getting Started with 21st Century Teaching and Learning

I’m often asked for advice on how to get started with using 21^st century tools to enhance teaching and learning. The mistake some people make is believing educators instantly need to become producers of websites, blogs, wikis, podcasts, social networks etc. Most educators need to become comfortable and familiar as participants in these environments before they can feel successful as creators in these areas. To follow are ideas that educators who want to get started with educating innovatively can explore.

10 Ideas to Begin Educating Innovatively

1. Equipment

In order to get started on your road to success, you need a laptop, projector, and internet access. As an innovative educator, I could not survive or teach effectively without these three things. If my school could not provide these basic pedagogical tools, I would invest in them myself, apply for a grant or write to http://www.donorschoose.org/. Next, I recommend investing in low cost laptop carts so students also have devices. For information on these options read Low Cost Computing Options That Will Enable More Educators to Consider 1-to-1 Environments and Bridging The Digital Divide in NYC. If you begin on the path to creating a 21st Century environment for students and educators, you will also want to consider Starting a Student Support Team in Your School.

2. Innovation Integration Plan
The use of 21^st century tools must be planned for and integrated into the day to day work of teachers and their students. Channel 13 has put together an Action Plan Template and gives advice for Writing an Innovation Plan that will help schools do just that. To help with planning across subjects in each curricular area consider using the Content Area Innovative Integration Plan Template which supports teachers in looking at what they are currently teaching, reviewing the standards, and then determining how what they can teach more innovatively.

3. Standards
You can’t plan without knowledge of the technology standards and ideas for infusing technology into the curriculum. Become familiar with ISTE's Educational Technology Standards which serve as guides for teachers, students and administrators to help them focus on the skills and expertise needed to teach, learn, and lead more effectively in an ever changing global community. Teachers can use the standards to facilitate student learning and creativity, create digital work and assessment, model good digital citizenry and pursue personal growth and leadership.

4. Curriculum
You need ideas about how to enhance the curriculum with technology. A great place to start is with the Information Communication Technology Literacy Maps. In collaboration with several content area organizations, the Partnership for 21st Century Skills developed a series of ICT Literacy Maps illustrating the intersection between Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Literacy and core academic subjects including English, mathematics, science and social studies (civics/government, geography, economics, history). The maps enable educators to gain concrete examples of how ICT Literacy can be integrated into core subjects, while making the teaching and learning of core subjects more relevant to the demands of the 21st century. The download the maps below to get started.

• ICT Literacy Map - Geography - Map
• ICT Literacy Map - Math - Map
• ICT Literacy Map - Science - Map
• ICT Literacy Map - Social Studies - Map
• ICT Literacy Map - English

5. Professional Development
Of course, effective integration of technology into the curriculum also takes a well thought out professional development plan and if possible onsite support and coaching. Check with your local school district to determine what offerings they provide for teachers and work to schedule a plan across the year based on the goals of your technology plan. In New York City many schools use this Professional Development Resource for Innovative Educators which is a site that provides professional development materials in the areas of literacy, science, social studies, math, fitness, cyber safety, interactive whiteboard training and more. To see some of the elements for a successful curriculum and professional development rollout read The Power of 21st Century Teaching and Learning Brought to Life at Bronx Middle School CIS 339’s Open House.

6. Social Networking
Join social networks. It is no longer acceptable for innovative educators not to be involved in social networks. It is crucial that educators begin learning how to function in these environments which have tremendous potential for enhancing teaching and learning. Despite what you’re kids or students may have told you, YOU'RE NOT TOO OLD FOR FACEBOOK. Must joins are http://www.facebook.com (for everyone), http://www.classroom20.com (for educators interested in using web 2.0 tools), http://iteachilearn.ning.com (for NYC educators in tech-rich classrooms), and http://www.futureofeducation.com (self explanatory). To get started read Why Every Parent and Teacher Should Learn Facebook.

7. Blogs
Find some great education blogs to read. You probably want to find blogs that are written by a teacher for a student audience (Techbrarian), blogs written by educators for other educators (Techomnivore), blogs written by students (Newly Ancient), blogs written by parents (NYC Public School Parents) and blogs written by principals (Practical Theory and Greg's Weblog). Subscribe to these blogs (Google Reader is a great tool for this). Once you get to know them, begin commenting on the blogs. Commenting on blogs is one of the most important things innovative educators can do. Vicki Davis, an excellent, well-respected, and widely read blogger explains how to comment effectively in her post How to comment like a king (or queen!).

8. Wikis
Wikis are an amazing and transformative tool for educators and Wikispaces » for teachers let’s you get started for FREE. You can see what educators are doing with wikis over here. You may also want to check out the Wiki Walk-Through from TeachersFirst. The Cool Cat Teacher blog post How I use wikis. What do you do? identifies these 5 uses of wikis in education.
1 - Lesson Summaries
2 - Collaboration of Notes
3 - Concept Introduction and Exploratory Projects
4 - Dissemination of Important Classroom Information beyond the Classroom
5 - Individual assessment projects

9. Online Safety
Make sure you are aware of online safety concerns. There are some useful resources at HOW DO I HELP MY CHILD LEARN TO USE THE INTERNET WISELY?. At the NYC DOE we partner with i-Safe, but there are many organizations providing free materials. Visit TIE's Internet Safety for ideas.

10. Assessment
It is important to have a method to assess how you’re doing. I’ve listed quite a few at Tools Innovative Educators Can Use to Assess the Infusion of 21st Century Skills Into Instruction. The post includes ideas for assessing teachers, classrooms, and administrators.

These are ten ideas to get innovative educators started with 21st century teaching and learning. Of course, there are an endless number of ideas and technologies to consider. Start with a few of these that make sense to you, and build upon these ideas to accomplish your goals.

YOU'RE NOT TOO OLD FOR FACEBOOK

Facebook has surged in popularity not only as a social ground for students, but also as a meaningful networking tool for innovative educators. Joining a social network is becoming less of an option and more of a necessity for success in the 21^st century education arena. However, I’m sure like me, many of you know a few holdouts who hesitate to accept your Facebook me! invitation for fear that others (colleagues, students, mom, etc.) will be able to peer into their lives. The non-adapters, resistant to hop aboard, unfortunately, may have another fear to confront as the tide moves ahead without them.

Here's why....

Innovative educators and leaders understand that a digital existence and savvy-ness is moving on the pendulum from novelty to requisite. The inability to operate in the digital environments in which our students (and a growing number of peers) flourish is being seen more and more as a weakness. Individuals without a digital presence and literacy who are unable to interact and navigate these waters are considered, by some, "washed up,” “out of touch,” “irrelevant.” For innovative educators, our clients include our students and not being in touch with how our clients operate is career suicide. Furthermore, Facebook provides educators with an amazing window and communication vehicle into the lives of our kids.

Because social networking sites like Facebook have a learning curve, those without a developed network and fluency with apps, settings, etc. are seen by many as already behind. Being digitally illiterate and lacking the ability to successfully navigate the 21^st Century social and professional environment is quickly becoming an insurmountable liability. Innovative educators who are savvy networkers know it takes some time to learn the ins and outs, develop friends, grow your network, find the right groups, and learn appropriate procedures, practices, and protocols. Furthermore innovative educators understand and take on the responsibility of their moral obligation as an educator to serve as a role model and begin setting acceptable standards and practices for students and their colleagues.

That said, there are some viable fear factors. We've all heard of people being fired for emails, texts, or blog posts. It is also true that people have been Fired for Facebooking, MySpacing, Blogging, etc. However, closer investigation reveals that these outcomes could have been avoided with a little bit of common sense sprinkled with some savvyness thrown into the mix on both sides – There are unfair punishments by the digitally illiterate employers and educators such as Student Faces Academic Charges for Using Facebook Groups for his Class. However, with those key ingredients (common sense and savvy) allow users to stay connected, while keeping their livelihood safe and serving a role model for colleagues, students and family. The key is being responsible and creating a purposeful and respectable online presence.

Here are some recommendations to keep in mind…

Facebook makes you an online celebrity.

• Yes, you are now being watched and are accountable for your actions. Do not post anything on Facebook that you would feel uncomfortable having others see or write about. Recently a friend and colleague had his Facebook Page posted when receiving a new career appointment. The page was clean and represented who he would want his public self to be. It is important to realize that anything you post online becomes part of your digital footprint and is a historical record of you. While there are privacy settings that you should use, ultimately like anything online, Facebook is public. Anything you post could end up anywhere. Be professional, responsible, and considerate.
• If someone does post inappropriate information on your wall, you can and should delete it and politely ask them to refrain in the future.
• If there is someone who you friended, but realize is just not the type of person you want to be publicly associated with, you can block this person usually, without their knowledge (see Friends, Until I Delete You). If that seems too harsh, use your privacy settings to control how they can interact with you and what they can see.
• Be familiar with the 10 Privacy Settings Every Facebook User Should Know.
• If you join a club or group that you do not want others to know you are a part of, don’t do so on Facebook. It is right their on your info page for all to see. Not only will others know about this potentially secret hobby, it may end up resulting in inappropriate posts to your wall, where friends, family, students, will be reminded of your membership.

Professional work practices.

• Don't tie your Facebook account to your work email. You don't want to have your professional email box flooded with Facebook notifications giving the appearance of a barrage on possible non-work related activity.
• Do remember that social networking has valuable and important professional networking benefits. From the obvious opportunity to have a group of colleagues process, interpret, and make meaning from a recent news clipping or article shared, to the ability to find a common bond between colleagues, to the forming and/or joining of groups and causes. Remember to create lots of those kinds of interactions.
• Balance is key to a happy and productive workforce. It is okay for your employer and colleagues to see the whole person. Just make sure you're not spending an unreasonable amount of time during the day on non-work related updates and comments. Think about how you may treat personal calls during work hours. A post or two, like a personal call or two, is fine.
• Do remember that social networking is an excellent and time-efficient way to keep up with colleagues. How many of people work in large departments often unfamiliar or out of touch with what colleagues are up to. Facebook provides a way to combat this.

Connecting with students, colleagues, friends, and family.

• Do realize Facebook is an extremely powerful networking tool that allows you to access, collaborate, and share ideas in ways never before possible. Commenting on others posts provides a virtual way to develop bonds, connections, commonalities, and relationships never before possible with such great ease.
• A social networking tool like Facebook enables employers, family, and friends to see the balance of the whole person that you are. Use good judgment and you’ll be in good shape with getting and giving the whole picture of who you and your Facebook friends are.
• Both person al and professional information can help build bonds and develop deeper relationships with those in your life. For instance, I often post news clips about issues of great interest to colleagues on which they can comment and reflect. I also come across great resources that I think others would find useful or join groups or sign up for events that colleagues would be interested in, but would perhaps never know of, if not for this tool.
• Facebook has great features to help users set up events and groups that would be of interest and beneficial to you and your friends. Organize events and invite friends. Start groups. Join groups. Invite others.

Ultimately if you are an educator, parent, student, or employee who stands behind what they are doing Facebook is place to proudly set a strong model for online networking, If you’re not sure what that looks like my best advice for learning more is to become friends with other educators using Facebook and see what they’re doing. My suggestions for people to “Friend” include an invitation to Facebook me! or connect with some of the innovative educators I’m friends with like (alphabetical order) Paul Allison, Vicki A Davis, Lucy Gray, Mike Hasley, Bud Hunt, Chris Lehmann, Angela Maiers, Sylvia Martinez. Kathy Schrock.

Related posts

Why Every Parent and Teacher Should Learn MySpace and Facebook and A 30-Day Guide To Losing Your Digital as a Second Language (DSL) Accent

Keep Your Students Connected This Summer with A Social Network

New Technology Helps Keep Kids Safe on Cell Phones

As an advocate of technology in the classroom in general and cell phones in particular, I’ve often argued that a phone is no longer just a phone. Kids can do anything on a cell phone that can be done on a computer. Banning what is perhaps our country’s most ubiquitous technology just doesn’t make sense as cells can be a powerful answer to providing all kids with equity and access to a powerful technology that enables collaboration, information, sharing of resources and creation never before possible. However, in addition to the fear of a cell as a distractor that can be used inappropriately, there are also safety issues.

Today, Dr. Phil shared a technology that addresses this concern called My Mobile Watchdog which allows adults to monitor text messaging to help keep kids cyber safe. Dr. Phil makes a smart observation saying the problem is not the use of technologies but rather the misuse. This is an extremely interesting and powerful technology leaving me with many questions. As an advocate of using mobile phones and technologies in education, I wonder how schools and districts interested in using cells might be able to utilize this type of technology to help mitigate some common fears such as using cells for cheating, or other inappropriate use.

I also wonder how I feel about adults having the ability to read student’s messages and reflect upon my own adolescent years and my yearning for privacy. However, after a bit a thought and investigation, I think that a K-12 child's parent or school should have the right to monitor a minor's use for a few reasons. First, this not spyware because the students/children are aware they are being monitored. Additionally, the adults can discuss with children what will be monitored so a child could negotiate unmonitored conversations of those who parents trust. Additionally, just knowing adults are in this world acts as a deterrent to inappropriate behavior and several kids admitted to liking the fact that a trusted adult was watching out for them.

My Mobile Watchdog offers special programs to assist law enforcement across the United States, and awareness programs for school, church and youth groups which educators may be interested in investigating further. This is a promising technology that has potential for helping bring us closer to being able to safely prepare students for the 21^st century. The cost is $9.55 a month.