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Group B: Scenario #1

=Elementary Language Arts Blog Scenario =

Your fourth grade class has been blogging for about two months now. They have shared several writing projects on their class blogs, including revisions of some short stories with illustrations. To protect your students’ identities, all students use only their first name and first letter of their last names (e.g., Kayla F., Joseph R.)

Your students have commented on each others blogs, and a few parents and other teachers have added comments as well. Your students have become accustomed to this feedback from your internal audience.

Today, one of your students, Aaron, asked you about a comment on his blog. Someone complimented him on his story but Aaron doesn’t recognize the name. You review the comment and the link provided, and it appears to be someone from Canada doing educational research. Aaron asks what he should do next.

Denise's thoughts:
Because this is a 4th grade classroom the teacher should double check the security settings of the blog. Make sure that all blog settings protect the student and the teacher should be monitoring comments. Teacher should have a class discussion about the purpose of blogs, remind students that other people from across the world can read their work. Share with the rest of the class about what happened with Aaron's blog. Use this opportunity to ask students for their thoughts.

Lindsey's thoughts:
Along with Denise, I think there should be a short class discussion on internet safety. The teacher should make sure that students understand that whatever is posted on the internet is for everyone to see, unless specified on your blog security settings. The teacher probably had reason for NOT having the security settings set so only the people in the class could see, so she could explain why. The class could discuss why someone may or may not have security settings on their blogs.

Julie's thoughts:
The teacher's first response to Aaron should be that because he does not know the person who responded, he should not respond. There is information missing from the scenario: did the teacher set up a blog that required passwords for those who are entering the site to blog? Are students blogging in the classroom? Did the teacher send invitations for others to join the blog? What is the security profile setting at? These questions need to be answered by the teacher. This should also be something the teacher explains to the students, at their level. Fourth grade is pretty young for too much information, but the teacher should explain about security and safety, such as to not respond if you do not know the person you are resounding to. This brings up another good point. Just because you recognize a name in the post, does not mean that person actually wrote the post. Students at this age, I would hope she is protective of the blog site, that it is done within the safety of class, and check the filters the district provides.

Kelly's thoughts:
I feel several things should have happened prior to this event. First, I would have thought there would have been security settings in place to prevent "outsiders" from posting on a student's blog. Second, the students should have received information on what to do if someone they don't know responds to their blog. That information should have had something along the lines of delete the post and don't respond to a stranger online. Since it did happen, jump on the teachable moment and discuss with the class the importance of online privacy and information sharing. Turn it into a role play, discuss acceptable and unacceptable responses from the students and evaluate possible outcomes of suggested responses. I personally would instruct the student not to respond to the comment posted.

__ Internet Safety Resources: __
[|Kid Friendly Internet Safety Site] (Lindsey) **A site we use with our students to teach about internet safety and cyberbullying.

Blog on Safety
(julie)

ERIC Research on Internet Safety
(julie)

~ Offers parents tools and downloads to protect their children at home while online. (Kelly)
 * McGruff SafeGuard: Family Safety Software**

~This website contains a variety of tools and information for adults to help kids be safe and responsible on the internet. This website gives information about cyber bullying, social networking, wireless devices, gaming, and more. There is even a section for tweens speaking out to other tweens. (Kelly)
 * bNet S@vvy**

~Offers a curriculum to teachers for teaching internet safety topics like cyber bullying, privacy, and digital citizenship. Lessons can be found by topic or grade level. (Kelly)
 * CyberSmart! Student Curriculum **

~ Interactive website for young children that teaches digital citizenship, online safety/security, and many fun activities like jokes, games, and videos. (Kelly)
 * NetSmartzKids **