Cyberbulling can take place on blogs. Kids can post mean and degrading things about others in their blog (which can be made public). It can be hurtful when the victim reads it, but it can also be hurtful when others read it (could embarrass the victim or the readers may even lash out at the victim).
I could actually see cyberbulling happening on scholastic blogs. I think the best strategies to overcome this as an instructor is to have all students use pseudonyms on the blog. Another precaution to protect one's students from outside cyber bullies would be to make the blog private so that only the class has access and posting abilities on the blog. I think it is also important for the teacher to monitor interactions on the class blog for any sort of cyberbulling. If it is occurring, the teacher could take away a student's blog posting ability and hopefully discipline the cyberbully.
I agree that cyberbulling probably occurs on blogs just like these in classes. Although these are a great tool to have the students interact and share their ideas and thoughts on different topics, these blogs are also presenting the students with the opportunity to become a cyberbully. Even if pseudo names are used, the students may still make mean remarks to other users (even if they don't know who they are talking to). Even if the victim knows that no one else is aware of their pseudo name, they can still find it very hurtful to read about themselves.
ReplyDeleteWith this being said, I feel that a class discussion would be just as effective while having the ability to avoid cyberbully situations all together. As a teacher, having a classroom blog sets you up for way more work than it is to have a discussion in the classroom. Monitoring the blog must be done multiple times a day, a contract must be made and signed by all of the participants and their parents, and all responsibility for everything that goes wrong is on your shoulders. With the unpredictability of the students' actions, this is a lot to add to your plate.
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DeleteI agree that monitoring is an immense responsibility. I like your idea in regards to contracts for the blogs. This may help some....
DeletePseudonyms are a good idea, but I agree that it doesn't eliminate the possibility of cyberbullying. If you're going to use forums, blogs, wikis, or other online resources, you have to take responsibility for what goes on in these arenas, just as you have to take responsibility for what kind of language is and is not accepted in classroom discussions.
ReplyDeleteI think leading a classroom discussion on cyberbullying (as well as including a specific definition and consequences in your class syllabus) is a good way to prevent it before it happens. If you notice an instance, follow through with what you say you'll do. It certainly does add a lot to your already full plate as a teacher, but in my mind, it's worth it to protect your students' well being.
A class discussion may be helpful, but I do have some reservations about this. I feel like sometimes discussions like these may give students "ideas." Including something in regards to cyberbullying on the syllabus is a great way to document that it is unacceptable.
DeleteI was thinking about what you said about pseudonyms. You are right, pseudonyms may not be enough. I recognize that someone with a pseudonym could post stuff about someone either using their real name or somehow making it obvious who they are posting and bullying. I also think that students are likely to share their pseudonyms with their friends which compromises the nature of their hidden identity.
DeleteWhile pseudonyms can be useful - and in my opinion, should be used for scholastic websites/blogs/wikis in secondary education - we have to remember that kids will tend to say things that reveal who they are.
DeleteMany of the kids will be able to figure out who their classmates are, even if they don't publically (deliberately) reveal their identities.
For the college level, it may be helpful to encourage students to use their real names, depending on the course, and whether the class website/wiki/etc. is public or private. I can think of exceptions, however. There are liable to be topics that are controversial or personally difficult, in which it is best to encourage anonymity.
My rule of thumb has always been: Don't say anything online that you would not be happy if your mother, your boss, your pastor (if you are religious), or your next door neighbor (who just happens to be a police officer) were to read. Don't say anything online that you would not be happy having appear on the front page of tomorrow's newspaper.
I like your rule of thumb!
DeleteI am not sure what I think of pseudonyms at the college level. I think in someway it makes a blog feel impersonal, but I do agree how identity should not be revealed if a class takes on a controversial topic (I am thinking of a philosophy class or a discussion on creationism.
A written agreement and close monitoring perhaps could curb cyberbullying. If a teacher identifies each student with their pseudonym, then he/she can monitor each student's post for unacceptable comments. If a student does post an unacceptable comment and has signed an agreement to not do so and understands the consequences, then that student can be reprimanded.
ReplyDeleteI agree. That signed agreement can serve as both a warning and provides terms for reprimanding. It is important that "unacceptable comments" be well defined in the agreement and that the consequences be spelled out. Teachers must be willing to enforce the consequences and to be consistent.
DeleteI really like the idea of written agreement and close monitoring. The agreement builds a trust bond between teachers and students; students will feel the sense of responsibility when signing the agreement, thus they will take their words on the blog seriously. Close teacher monitoring renders the agreement to be effective, rather than a ritual. Close monitoring is so important that it prevents possible bullying from happening. The cyber bullying agreement is such a good idea that I want to use agreement for other disciplines, for example, homework agreement and attendance agreement.
DeleteI think what has happened, as with much of "new" technology, is that the technology is up, running, and being heavily used before any of policies are in place.
ReplyDeleteExcellent point, one that is widely applicable to copyright law as well.
DeleteIt is going to take a decade or more for this to get sorted out. And given that there are widely differing views on politics, religion, culture, diversity, multiculturalism, etc., it is liable to take a number of Supreme Court cases to clarify matters.