Internet Safety & Cyber Ethics: Net Banging

Description:

Net Banging is a new way gangs are trying to attract and recruit a new generation of members. Gangs are taking advantage of an increasingly technology reliant generation of kids, including their targeted group of those aged 11-14 years old. Of the more than 21,000 gangs in the U.S., many are posting information online that glorifies gang lifestyles and activities, thereby luring kids in. The National Crime Prevention Council compared gang to businesses, stating, “…the reality is that street gangs continue to expand with a businesslike acuity and often boast the same tactics to influence the masses. Just as commercials attempt to sell cars or other products, gang members are now attempting to sell the gang lifestyle via one of society’s most popular media: the internet.”

Impact:

Not only is this dangerous and frightening because gangs are targeting such young children on the most popular social media sites, but Net Banging is also frightening because of its’ ability to stimulate violence among rival gangs. According to the NCPC, “a random search on MySpace revealed a number of alleged gang member’s pages that were seemingly created just for the purpose of inciting conflict with their rivals, one even going so far as to display a burning blue bandana, the symbol of another gang, and another making a threat of violence toward a particular person in the title of the page.”

Integrating into Classrooms:

I think this is a topic that should be introduced early on in a child’s introduction to technology. Rather than talking about Net Banging, which can seem like quite a scary topic, children should be introduced to the overall safety precautions that should be used when online. For example, children should know not to share personal information with strangers over the internet. Additionally, they should have sufficient supervision when online. As the youtube video below explains, internet parental controls do not and should not take the place of parental supervision.

Students should be limited to specific sites that are age appropriate and that will not subject them to gang-related or inappropriate content. For example, it is quite obvious that elementary school students should not be on MySpace or Facebook, but rather visiting educational and fun kid-friendly sites.

CommonSenseMedia.org has a lot of safety tips for kids and parents (or teachers) to follow, such as:

• Not giving out private information online
• Behaving responsibly and respectfully towards others
• Understanding the difference between ads and content
• Limiting the amount of time kids spend online
• Remembering that staying safe is about a child’s entire online experience, not just “stranger danger”

If parents/teachers follow these guidelines and remain involved, the hope is that students will know which sites to be wary of or to avoid altogether, and when  they are older, more topic specific information can be given about the dangers of Net Banging.

Additional Links:

http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=2886482&page=1

References:

http://www.ncpc.org/programs/catalyst-newsletter/catalyst-newsletter-2008/volume-29-number-6/net-banging-street-gangs-answer-the-digital-craze

http://www.commonsensemedia.org/advice-for-parents/internet-safety-elementary-school-kids-tips

Web 2.0 Blog Assignment

Sometimes I catch myself grumbling about how difficult it is to get used to technology used in today’s classrooms… But then I stop myself, because as annoying and time consuming as it may be for me to have to learn and become comfortable with using the new high tech stuff, it can make the student’s learning experience so much more enriched and engaging. With the start of this class, I have tried to be open minded, and it’s working! I am so excited to use these Web 2.0 tools in lesson plans and classrooms, and I know students will love how hands-on they can be!

I plan on using Web 2.0 tools in everyday activities in my classroom, so that lessons are more interactive, and so that students become used to using technology and see how much they can do with it. I think the Web 2.0 tool that allow students to see each other’s projects are a great way of changing up often boring presentations (not to mention how much paper they’ll save). There are so many great tools that can really capture students attention and help them learn.

Also, I think Web 2.0 tools are a great way of getting parents involved in students’ school life. I think this is very important, and there are a lot of tools that will enable me to communicate what the students are currently learning, what big projects or events are coming up, and extra resources they can use if their child is struggling with a certain topic. Additionally, on-line sign-up sheets for volunteers can be posted, contact information can be found, and so much more.

Right now, technology in the classroom is a fairly new concept, as not all teachers and schools are on-board with this idea. However, in 5-10 years, I think classes will be very technology reliant. I foresee Web 2.0 tools (among other technologies) being a staple in classes everywhere!

Web 2.0 RPR Activity

http://280slides.com/Viewer/?user=95844&name=undefined&fullscreen

UDL Module Discussion Questions

1. I agree with the view that often curriculum is disabled, inflexible, and often poses barriers rather than support optimal learning. From the view of a person with very little experience teaching, I find curriculum daunting and overwhelming, wondering how on earth I’ll cover all of the material with my students. In my opinion, teachers (especially new ones) become so bogged down in all the other responsibilities of being a teacher that they may be simply focusing on the content and not the quality or way in which the information is being taught.

2. I think that analyzing the curriculum for strengths and weaknesses is highly beneficial, and a great alternative to analyzing student strengths and weaknesses. I believe that a strong, optimal curriculum, created with UDL in mind, can allow for all students’ strengths to become evident and create well-rounded learners. The challenges for this approach will include the progress of students who don’t do well, regardless of how they  are being taught. I think it is just important to remember that there are always exceptions and students who may need extra assistance.

Jean Lave’s Situated Learning Theory

Jean Lave is a social anthropologist. In other words, she basically studies how humans act and behave in social groups. Her work has had a significant impact on thinking in regards to cultural studies, sociolinguistics, organizational studies, human geography, and education. Lave’s impact on so many different disciplines goes to show just how big of an influence she has been.

 

 

The most well known of Lave’s contributions and ideas is her theory of Situated Learning. Along with Etienne Wenger, she wrote a book titled Situated Learning, introducing two new major concepts: “legitimate peripheral participation” and “communities of practice.”

Situated Learning could not be further removed from direct instruction. Instead, it is closely associated with constructivism, as they both share the idea that knowledge and meaning come from interactions and experiences.

I personally feel that this theory is very strong, because like Lave, I think the world and environment in which we live in is hugely educational, and that much can be learned through our society, culture, daily activities, and interactions. The only weakness of this theory is that it is not actually an educational form, and therefore, sometimes difficult to implement.

The following video demonstrates a way that technology can be integrated into a classroom using the Situated Learning theory. It describes a computer program that is currently being explored and worked on, designed to help teach students English and Language Arts in a non-traditional way. This hands-on activity is a tool that could be very beneficial to students needing a more hands-on approach to a discipline that is normally not taught in a very constructivist way.

A classroom that uses and follows the Situated Learning Theory would provide enriched learning experiences for students by allowing them interactive and hands-on learning activities. Computer based activities would fit in well in this classroom because they allow for authentic interaction amongst the students. This also fosters skills that students will benefit from outside of the classroom. The following ways to incorporate Situated Learning theory were listed on wikipedia:

• Workshops, kitchens, greenhouses and gardens used as classrooms
• Stand-up role playing in the real world setting, including most military training (much of which, though, takes a behaviourist approach)
• Field trips including archaeological digs and participant-observer studies in an alien culture
• On the job training including apprenticeship and cooperative education
• Sports practice, music practice and art are situated learning by definition, as the exact actions in the real setting are those of practice – with the same equipment or instruments

As you can see, this is a theory that can be applied to practically every grade or age group, from kindergarteners all the way up to adults.

Sources:

http://www.learning-theories.com/situated-learning-theory-lave.html

http://www.education.com/reference/article/lave-jean-1939-/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Situated_learning

My Technobiography

 

My earliest technology use involved things like this:

And this:

But I really wanted this:

(Sadly, I never got one.)

 

Back in the day, I listened to Michael Jackson on my Walkman (Inspired by

my “Free Willy” obsession) and would type random things on the computer (in

the brightest colors, and most illegible fonts).

 

I eventually evolved, getting a CD playing Walkman (probably solely to hum

“Mmmbop” along with), and started playing games on the computer (anyone

remember The Sims?)… Technology played a very limited part in my

childhood, especially in comparison with how reliant I am on it nowadays.

With an iPhone and a laptop, I’m never cut off from internet access and in

constant communication with friends and family. I use the internet daily:

for online banking, school (via BlackBoard), social networking, news

sources, shopping… Every time new technology comes around, I think that

it’s unnecessary and frivolous, but when I finally come around to using it,

I don’t know how I ever lived without it!