Discussion on Cyber Issues

As teachers in a highly technological country, we are going to face highs and lows when working with technology in our classrooms. With technology comes freedom to students and the opportunity to get into danger. How can we as teachers prevent students from getting into situations that can be harmful? What ides do you guys have about teaching and implementing internet safety? Bullying has been a widespread epidemic that has not only hurt the education system but also students. What are your experiences with prevention interventions for cyber bullying? Was it prevalent in the schools you attended? Monitoring what our students internet use within  the classroom and school setting is important. Do you think teachers should go beyond the classroom and not monitor but be aware of their students use of other internet and technology related things? Cyber bullying can be very serious and something that can hurt students severely. Getting aware and becoming in charge can help students and teachers to open communication and gain respect for others.

Cyber Bullying

Cyber Bullying is a form of bullying that occurs on electronic technology. In the education system, technology is becoming more and more prevalent and allowing students an abundant amount of access. Cyber bullying can occur in text messages, emails, on websites, and social media networks. This kinds of bullying is mostly embarrassing comments or pictures, harassing, Cyber bullying occurs 24/7 and can have major effects on adolescence and young children. With the extending amount of access to Internet, cyber bullying has become a rising issue in many schools. Being a teacher of several students, it is important to talk with students about cyber bulling and be aware of warning signs and clues that bullying might be happening. In school cyber bullying can affect the learning environment for students and hinder their ability to learn and grow. Preventing bullying within the classroom is something that should occur immediately and be monitored throughout the year. Teachers should create policies and rules, create open communication with their students, get parents involved and aware, and educate students on cyber bullying and Internet safety.

            Students are not always bullied or harassed by their peers. Criminals and predators are crawling the Internet looking for naïve students to take advantage of. Organizing school assemblies and talks is a great way to educate students and make them fully aware of risk factors and dangers on the Internet. With the access to technology comes responsibility to respect peers and be safe. Getting students more educated about the technology they will be using and the risk factors of internet safety and cyber bullying, will prevent the outbreak in the classroom and help students respond to problems they might face.

Kids Health- Parents and teens both need an outlet to learn more about cyber bullying and what should be done about it. Kids Health has a website they exclusively discusses cyber bullying, what it is, and how to get a hold of the issue.  

Stop It Cyber Bully- Stop It is a school program that implements school wide bully preventions for students to get involved in. With an app that can be downloaded on student's phones, they will be able to report cyber bullying on social media. 

Teen Online- This website is an informational website that discusses cyber bulling in detail and its effects on teens. This website also serves as an outlet for teens to go to in order to discuss problems they are having and relate with others. 

Feedly Account

This is my Feedly Account with added information of Food, Education, and My Blog

Using Blogs in the Classroom

Blogs can be a useful tool in many ways for teachers. First they can be used for teachers to share their lessons, classroom management skills, opinions, and experiences of their own with other teachers around the country. This can be a way for teachers to not only evaluate their own work and lessons throughout the year but also others work and learn through what other blogs are doing/saying. For students within the classroom, blogs can be used to integrate technology and improve writing skills. I would plan to implement blogs within the classroom with several goals in mind. A blog could be used as a management for the whole class. It can be a portal for the teacher to inform students of homework, handouts, and class requirements. It could also be used to manage the class’s questions using a question/answer board. Within the classroom blogs can be used most effectively as a discussion outlet. The blog can facilitate class conversations, opinions, and inquiries about various lessons and topics. The teacher can create a classroom community that feels comfortable expressing their thoughts online to one another. Lastly, I think that blogs could be a great way for teachers to organize and display students’ work. The work done by students can be digitally protected allowing the teacher, parents, and students to see student’s progress throughout the year. Blogs are active, fast, and allow students to build relationships through discussions, comments and participation.

Blogs From Educators

Great Educational Blogs: 

• http://coffeecupsandlessonplans.blogspot.com- Michele is a classroom teacher who provides several lesson plan ideas for students in reading, writing, and mathematics. Her blog is visually appealing and provides detailed descriptions and pictures within her posts. 
• http://www.teachpreschool.org- Deborah Stewart shares several lessons, instructions, and information within her blog geared toward preschool students. She provides information in various subjects like math, science, and reading, along with sensory and motor engaging activities. Although she is a preschool teacher many of her ideas can easily be extended for young elementary school students and classroom ideas! 
• http://blog.cathyjonelson.com- Cathy's blog is a great outlet for teachers to learn more about integrating technology in an effective manner. Its geared for teachers and library media specialists and has received several awards for best library blog and best ed tech support blog!
• http://learningismessy.com/blog/?page_id=2- Brain Crosby is a noted upper elementary teacher who prides himself and students on their community service projects and making connections with blogging. His blog has STEM lessons and activities along with examples of his student's work. 
• http://nepc.colorado.edu/blog- National Education Policy Center is known as the Best Education Blog because it combines blogs from various educators. The content stems from teacher unions, curriculum, technology, and even teacher evaluations. 
• http://www.techsavvyed.net- The Tech Savvy Educator is a respectable guide to technology within the classroom. There is SO much information on this blog in every subject and including using iPads, digital storytelling, and watching videos. The owner and author of this blog is also originally a fellow Michigander. 
• http://www.principalspage.com/theblog/- The Principals Page is a blog that discusses issues with school administration. The blog includes tips, anecdotes, and philosophies on education. 
• http://polkadottedteacher.blogspot.com- The Polka Dotted Teacher blog is a vibrant and whimsical blog that allows teachers to get ideas to liven up their own classroom. This blog also honors Dr. Seuss in many ways and gives some creative lesson ideas. 
• http://www.edwize.org- Edwize is a blog that gives opinion and news about education. Most of the blogs are around schools in New York but definitely apply to education in general and in other places!
• http://www.thecurriculumcorner.com/thecurriculumcorner123/blog/- The Curriculum Corner is run by two classroom teachers. It is a blog that gives lesson plans that aline with common core standards. The lessons are engaging for students and can be used with various subjects and ideas. 

Quality Resources and People on Social Media

Social Media has become increasingly important and prevalent in our day to day lives. Rather than just for socializing, social media can be used as a resource for learning. I have found several important organizations and people that could be beneficial in several sides of education.

Twitter: 

• @rweingarten- Randi Weingarten is the president of American Federation of Teachers often tweeting about the improvement of schools, public institutions for children and great activist for families and institutions. 
• @NEAToday- The National Education Association is the largest professional employee organization and a great access to information about improving all aspects of public education. 
• @mbteach- Mary Beth Hertz is a specialist in integration of technology that tweets about her classroom experiences involving a range of topics from gender gaps to student engagements. 
• @disabilitygov- Disability.gov is a twitter account that is used to get more information on disability policies, useful services, and programs for those with disabilities. 
• @tomwhitby- Tom Whitby is a High School/Middle School teacher and founder of #Edchat. He tweets about important education issues and topics with throughout provoking questions.
• @RWTnow- Read Write Think is a quality website and twitter account that gives teachers and parents helpful materials and ideas for improving readings and language art instructions. 
• @coolcatteacher- Vicki Davis is a classroom teacher who has won awards for her blog and often tweets about classroom projects, tips, and current educational research. 
• @TeacherToolBox- Ben Bache is the managing editor or teacher toolbox tweeting about deals for teachers along with apps and resources to use in the classroom. 
• @TeachaKidd- Lee Kolbert tweets about Edtech providing teachers with ways to implement technology in an effective way. 
• @flourishingkids- Joan Young is a teacher and author who creatively shares ways for all young students to learn. 
• @ASCD- a global community that puts effort into providing worthwhile information about learning, teaching, leading, and promoting success for students.  
• @EducationNext- Education Next is a journal that regularly tweets about the major change and reform for the education system. Many intriguing questions and topics are found here!

Instagram: 

• Teaching Special Thinkers- Ms. Dixon is a special education teacher who posts pictures about multiple ways of teaching and education resources. 
• The Pinspired Teacher- Run by a tech-savy teacher, this account encourages teachers to get involved in photo challenges and ways to inspire other teachers. 
• Learning in Wonderland- This account shares several very creative lesson ideas, activities, worthwhile books, and classroom organization. 
• EducationWeek- An inspiring account that joins photography and education
• What The Teacher Wants- An account run by a current teacher mainly for other teachers or parents that gives lessons and actives for elementary age and motivation to create a great classroom environment. 
• Seusstastic- An instagram account full of bright colors and motivation for teachers and students to on creative art projects and examples of student's work. 
• Teaching is a Royal Adventure- This account is from a special education teacher that provides helpful ideas on reading (blending, fluency, comprehension) along with fun classroom activities for young students.
• Scholastic Inc- The instagram of Scholastic is wonderful for teachers to find worthwhile books to implement within the classroom and share with their students and others! 

I was so excited to follow these people and organizations on my own twitter and instagram accounts

Educational Organizations

Getting involved in organizations and networking with others is always an opportunity to learn more and something that is beneficial in any career field. The Learning Disabilities Association of Michigan is an organization geared to advance the well being of individuals with learning disabilities along with improving the education for these individuals. This association helps those with learning disabilities to be more understood and involved within the communities. LDA of Michigan has a website and blog attached to their website. They can also be connected through email, however they do not have any other social media sites. Although the website on LDA is currently under renovation and not showing much information I have been researching it for several months. Before the cancellation of their annual conference, I was scheduled to attend. Although I was not a member, I received a discounted price to attend because I was a student. The conference was scheduled for the beginning of May and cost $40 for students and up to $170 for non members. Being a member of this organization means discounted prices on the annual conference, along with emails and information to keep learning and growing in the Learning Disabilities Association community. On a larger scale, the National Association of Autism is a nation wide organization that gives information, support, and involvement to the Autism world. The Association's website gives various facts about what autism is, signs of autism, causes, research, family supports, safety tips, and ways to be involved within the organization. The NAA has a blog along with a twitter account. The twitter account provides positive research articles, important reminders, and mostly spreading autism awareness. There are several membership options to this organization from free to $200. The free membership provides members with a regular NAA newsletter. As membership cost go up more rewards and opportunities are available such as discounts at the online store and on nutritional supplements, pharmacy discount, car stickers, and more membership cards. NAA also has local chapters that provide conferences and allow people to be more involved locally. The National Autism Association annual conference is scheduled for November 5-8 in Florida. The cost of this conference is between $125-200. Both of these organizations are something that I would like to become more involved in as I continue my journey as a Special Education teacher!

"About Me"

My name is Mackenzie Aaron and I am about to start my Senior year at Grand Valley State University. I am studying Elementary Education and Special Ed. with a minor in Psychology and couldn't be more excited to begin the journey into teaching. I am a very outgoing person that loves to dance! I have been a part of the Laker Dance Team at Grand Valley for the past three years and have enjoyed the experiences and accomplishments I have made with the team. I attached a photo of or part nationals experience in April where we were awarded first place in our division for jazz. This team has become my family and best friends that I will have with me for the rest of my life. I plan to continue to implement my love for dance throughout my life even when teaching. During the times I working within classrooms technology has been something that I see students enjoy and benefit from. When I tutored at Hope Academy in Grand Rapids, technology was not very prevalent in the student's day to day schedule. Because of financial restraints it was difficult for the school to provide students with many technological outlets. I often saw teachers using their own electronics and technologies to work with the students and have them take turns using them. I also observed at Jamestown Elementary in Hudsonville. This school had a very different experience with technology they often went to a computer lab where each students used a large computer, and had iPads available within the classroom. Both of these schools saw the importance of technology within the classroom and for students. My experience with planning lessons with technology has been slim. I feel that I am confident in using technology, however I haven't gotten as comfortable with adding it into lesson plans.