I have a budding videographer in my family. She has tripods, cameras, sets, lighting, and props. She has her own YouTube channel. She is a middle schooler. So I was very interested in this article about Instagram and Vine from Common Sense Media. Instagram is a photo and video sharing app. Vine is a video only app. In keeping with the techno trend for ever more compact content, Instagram videos are up to15 seconds long and Vine videos are up to 6 seconds.
Some of us over 30 don't quite understand all the issues with many of these new social networking sites.I didn't realize you could share video with Instagram. Nor did I know that Vine is owned by Twitter - makes sense - 6 seconds is so Twitterish. I hear the middle schoolers around me talking a lot about Instagram. I know one twelve year old who has an Instagram account, but her mom won't let her have a Facebook account yet.
That brings up the issue of appropriateness. Technically, twelve year olds aren't allowed to have Instagram or Vine accounts according to their user agreements. However, we all know that doesn't stop tweens and younger kids from joining.
Just like YouTube, there are videos on Instagram and Vine that will make you blush. There is content you wouldn't really want your young teen watching. I recommend having an open conversation with your child. If they are under 13, consider telling them 'no' for now. Take it from a middle school teacher, there is a difference between 12 year olds and 13 year olds. Regardless of your decision, talk to them about privacy. You wouldn't invite the world into your home, so don't invite them to see your personal footage. Talk to them about cyberbullying. They should tell an adult if it happens and block the offending 'friend'. Stay involved and ask to see what they are sending and watching.
Today's teens relate to each other largely through electronic media so as today's parents we have to actively participate and guide them.
Showing posts with label cybersafety. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cybersafety. Show all posts
Friday, August 30, 2013
Friday, March 30, 2007
Stop Cyberbullying
According to iSafe, 43% of the youth population report being bullied online. Wherever kids gather the potential for bullying exists. Adults who care need to learn about these new gathering places and help kids learn to protect themselves. What can you do?
- Watch this great video about cyberbullying.
- Ask a teen you know to explain MySpace or Facebook.
- Learn how to help kids stay safe online, 11 tips from Vicki Davis.
- Join the StopCyberbullying network. (invite me to be your friend)
In honor of Stop Cyberbullying day, Friday March 30th 2007.
Cartoon reprinted with permission from Cathy Wilcox.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
MEGA fun!
About twenty educators gathered in the Friday Institute yesterday afternoon to network and share ideas and experiences. Our group is called MEGA. It used to stand for Middle Educators Global Activities. We are so diverse now that we have moved beyond the "middle" part. There were elementary and middle school teachers there along with representatives of the Department of Public Instruction, NC State University, and private industry.
Joselyn Todd presented a jaw drapping session on Wikis. She teaches 7th grade science at Cary Academy. Get this - if she has to be absent, she creates a screencast for her students to watch so they don't lose any instructional time. She gives wiki homework. The students are divided into groups and each group is given a subtopic on chemical reactions, for example. They have one night to make their contributions to the chemical reactions wiki. And wow!! These kids create some compelling content. Joselyn said she loves teaching middle schoolers because they are naive enough to believe that they can do just about anything. And she motivates them to do just about everything! They are working on a Periodic Table of Podcasts. Listen to Krypton. It is great!
I got to lead a discussion of cybersafety in the 21st century classroom. The conversations were remarkable! We all agreed that turning off Web 2.0 sites for schools is not the answer. That would be like telling students that they can never use scissors because they could get cut. Yes, there is potential danger in Web 2.0 from predators and cyberbullies, but our students are out there. They are not going to give up these tools! We need to be out there with them learning and creating an environment that is somewhat protected. We give them rounded kindergarten scissors. Teach them how to cut and they slowly graduate to the big, pointy scissors. Start them off on imbee and class blogmeister, where the teacher or parent controls access and student sites are protected from the general population. Teach them how to protect their privacy. By the time they are in high school they will be ready to use MySpace responsibly.
We recorded the conversations so they may be available in the future as a podcast. Until then you can visit some of the links (look at MEGA_1 through 4 and cybersafety) that we used as resources. The links and my Powerpoint presentation will all be posted soon in the MEGA archives!
Our next meeting is May 2. Beckey Reed and Lisa Grable, our group facilitators, always make it interesting. I can't wait!
Joselyn Todd presented a jaw drapping session on Wikis. She teaches 7th grade science at Cary Academy. Get this - if she has to be absent, she creates a screencast for her students to watch so they don't lose any instructional time. She gives wiki homework. The students are divided into groups and each group is given a subtopic on chemical reactions, for example. They have one night to make their contributions to the chemical reactions wiki. And wow!! These kids create some compelling content. Joselyn said she loves teaching middle schoolers because they are naive enough to believe that they can do just about anything. And she motivates them to do just about everything! They are working on a Periodic Table of Podcasts. Listen to Krypton. It is great!
I got to lead a discussion of cybersafety in the 21st century classroom. The conversations were remarkable! We all agreed that turning off Web 2.0 sites for schools is not the answer. That would be like telling students that they can never use scissors because they could get cut. Yes, there is potential danger in Web 2.0 from predators and cyberbullies, but our students are out there. They are not going to give up these tools! We need to be out there with them learning and creating an environment that is somewhat protected. We give them rounded kindergarten scissors. Teach them how to cut and they slowly graduate to the big, pointy scissors. Start them off on imbee and class blogmeister, where the teacher or parent controls access and student sites are protected from the general population. Teach them how to protect their privacy. By the time they are in high school they will be ready to use MySpace responsibly.
We recorded the conversations so they may be available in the future as a podcast. Until then you can visit some of the links (look at MEGA_1 through 4 and cybersafety) that we used as resources. The links and my Powerpoint presentation will all be posted soon in the MEGA archives!
Our next meeting is May 2. Beckey Reed and Lisa Grable, our group facilitators, always make it interesting. I can't wait!
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