CYBERBULLYING

Stand up and speak out!

 What is Cyberbullying?

 “Cyberbullying is using technology to deliberately and repeatedly bully someone. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere and can leave you feeling unsafe and alone.” Commonwealth of Australia ( 2013)

What does cyberbullying include?

• Abusive texts and emails
• Posting unkind messages or images
• Imitating others online
• Excluding others
• Inappropriate image tagging
• Inappropriate discussions

Below is a short clip of an example of cyberbullying 

As a future educator I have become aware of how important it is to educate students on the effects bullying and cyberbullying has on people. With the internet developing and improving each year, new social networks are created, for example, Facebook. Some victims can’t escape the bullying even when they leave home.

Educating students about the harms of cyberbullying is extremely important. Being aware of the dangers and effects of cyberbullying will prevent it from happening. It is an important

Below is link to a twitter page; End Cyberbullying

According to the Commonwealth Government (2013) research has been proven that students will avoid reporting cyberbullying incidents to parents or teachers as they feel fear that adult intervention will make the situation worse.

Below are five points of the similarities of face to face and cyberbullying. Commonwealth Australia (2013)

http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/Home/Schools/Cyber%20issues/Cyberbullying.aspx (schools, cyberbullying)

• it can give the person doing the bullying a sense of being anonymous, so they may behave in ways they wouldn’t offline
• it can occur 24/7 and be difficult to escape
• it is invasive, impacting students’ social worlds at school and home, online and offline
• it can have a large audience—readily shared with groups or posted on public forum
• it is very difficult to delete bullying comments and images.

There are professionals available to help to combat cyberbullying; Kids Help Line and The Cloud are helplines, free for students to contact when in desperate need.

It is important teachers and parents understand that the internet has become a crucial part of a child’s education and lifestyle. Therefore, parents need to be aware of their child’s online activity and understand the effects bullying has had on youth culture thus far.

Reference List:
Commonwealth of Australia. (2013). Cybersmart. Retrieved from http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/Teens.aspx

SOCIAL- CONSTRUCTIVISM

What is Social-Constructivism?

Social constructivism is an educational theory designed by Lev Vygotsky. Students construct their own knowledge through the social interaction with others. Students construct the knowledge through group interactions and activities; they become the central target in their learning.

Vygotsky believed that “children actively construct their own knowledge and that social interaction is the means of such construction, saying that children grow into the intellectual like of those around them” (Vygotsky, 1978, p.88)

How can technology enhance the application of these theories?

The classroom has a number of social attachments necessary for learning in Vygotsky’s theories. Using technology tools such as computers and interactive whiteboards in the classroom can enhance the social dynamics of Vygotsky’s theory. Teachers can create lessons that allow students to work in groups with task related interaction to allow higher order thinking.

Social- constructivism is an increasingly popular teaching and learning method. Theorist Vygotsky believes that creating an environment with social interaction such as group activities will benefit students perform at their best. After watching the YouTube clip above you understand how important a student centered classroom is, creating lessons that will benefit students to gain knowledge and understanding.
From experiences in the classroom, on practical immersion, the social-constructivism theory was put in to place. The teacher created lessons that promote social interaction with other class peers. The teacher split the class up in to four even groups and participated in a maths lesson. Each group was engaged and motivated in the activity. Students had clear instructions and were constructing their own knowledge and understanding of the task through interaction with others.

 

Here is a link to explain Social-Constructivism and the effects it has on the classroom

Reference List: 

White, F., Hayes, B., & Livesey, D. (2010). Developmental psychology: From infancy to adulthood (2^nd ed.). Frenchs Forest, NSW: Pearson Australia.

eLearning

What is eLearning?

E Learning refers to using any electronic device for example computer to gain knowledge and understanding.  eLearning allows mobility, flexibility and new opportunities for learning. Teaching and learning at school will go beyond the classroom and broaden their research beyond the school.
According to Park,  (2011) mobile learning is a useful component to teaching students, broadens their research skills and engaging resources.

Below is a short clip on the Advantages of eLearning 

Advantages for eLearning.

• Self directed/Self paced
• Efficient
• Flexible
• Consistent interactive and collaborative
• Accessible and convenient
• Less expensive
• Reduces travel time
• Students can study any where
• Successfully complete online or computer-based courses- build self knowledge and self confidence
• Teaches responsibility for their own learning

From my own experiences at university, myself and students rely on eLearning programs and devices to do assessments and gather information. Laptops, desktop computers and interactive whiteboards are just a few resources that are used either by myself or lectures at university.  At university we gather important notices and specific information for us to keep up to date with what is happening, for example blackboard and Outlook emails.

Although eLearning is a way of the future and a convenient way to gather information and complete work, it can be expensive for schools to supply the students with particular facilities and it is important that students are not disadvantaged. In saying that it does not mean technology is not available. Public libraries and particular public areas have access to the internet.

Reference List

Park, Y. (2011). Categorizing educational applications of mobile technologies into four types. A pedagogical framework for mobile learning, 12(2), 1-11. Retrieved fromhttp://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/791/1699.

PROMOTING INTELLECTUAL QUALITY WITH AN IWB

In the 21^st century technology has advanced dramatically and is making a difference in today’s schools. For some teachers using tools such as interactive whiteboards can be a challenging experience as they are not use to change in the classroom. During my last 2 years at school interactive whiteboards were introduced in the classrooms. Teachers would use them to display YouTube clips, PowerPoint presentations and interactive class activities. It is important teachers are up to date with technology in today’s ever changing society. Interactive whiteboards are an effective teaching method that engages and motivates students in the classroom to promote learning.

According to Kent (2010) introducing interactive whiteboards in the classroom will promote higher order thinking and enhance overall student learning.

Benefits of using Interactive Whiteboards

Promote individual and group interactions
Creating links with existing knowledge
Lead discussions that probe student understanding
take their learning in personally relevant directions

All teachers have a job in the classroom to create an environment that actively supports students with their learning. Kent (2010) quotes “Integrating technology in to schools is a journey; it’s like climbing a mountain. Enthusiasm is a great start but alone it is probably not going to get you to the top” (p12).  It is possible to teach a class the curriculum but for students to be engaged and motivated in the activity, using interactive whiteboards will promote positive engagement within the classroom so that students can benefit from their learning.

Here is an example of an activity using an Interactive White Board

Retrieved from: http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en/Resources/Item/152378/water-and-the-water-cycle#.UV5146Kmhvp

On my immersion, last year, I noticed interactive whiteboards used in the classroom to engage and motivate students. Students were interested and actively involved in the activities and enjoyed coming up to the board to write and move objects.

Interactive whiteboards are a great technological advancement in schools around Australia; they promote and enhance the learning of students and are a great teaching method for teachers to use.

Reference List: 

Kent, P. (2012). Interactive whiteboards: a practical guide for primary teachers. South Yarra, Australia: Sharn Dalgleish. (Original work published 2008).