Technology+Report

Technology in today’s classroom involves more than just instructing students the components of the computer, basic keyboarding, and how to write papers. Today’s classroom teachers are now in charge of embedding technology instruction into the lessons. Classroom teachers need to be aware of the need to teach cyber ethics, safety, and cyber bullying prevention.
 * Cyber Ethics, Internet Safety, and Cyber bullying **

In today’s culture, one cannot depend on the parents or family members to be responsible for teaching cyber ethics. “Parents may not know or follow the rules, either. In fact, a recent Ipsos survey found that one-third of adult Internet users admit to downloading commercial software without paying for all the copies they made.” (Kruger, 2003) Based on this survey, one might assume one-third of our faculty and staff would admit to illegally downloading software. Our faculty, staff, parents, and students need to be aware of the consequences of this behavior. Kruger states, “Stealing software has direct consequences for the user, Illegal downloads, bootleg copies, and software borrowed from a friend can expose one’s computer to viruses and worms, which are harmful hidden programs that can destroy files or ruin a computer’s hard drive permanently. (Kruger, 2003) This could be harmful to our district’s computers and could result in expensive repairs which may or may not be more expensive than the original price of the software copied. Students definitely need to be taught the ethical reason s for not copying software besides it’s wrong. Students must realize that this will eventually harm the economy and could cause loss of jobs, decrease in retail sales, decrease in sales taxes, and even the closure of the software developing company.

The internet is safe but everyone should be made aware of the various safety procedures and materials that are available. “Founded in 1998, i-SAFEAmerica provides Internet safety information and knowledge to students, parents, and the community in a variety of ways.” (Joseph, 2007) I-SAFE provides free materials for classroom educators, parents, and businesses to use to inform the steps one should take to establish safety procedures while on-line. In education today, educators must not only embed technology into their lessons, but they must make every effort to embed safety awareness activities as part of their lessons. If we can establish safety routines as part of our routines, just maybe, students will establish them routinely.

Schools must begin cyber bully prevention awareness programs just like they have established drug and alcohol prevention awareness programs. “Bullies have gone online, predators are lurking everywhere, and MySpace is a nightmare for kids and teens.” (Hitchcock, 2007) Students used to fear the face to face physical bullying that would go on between classes, on the playground, and after school. Now students could be faced with cyber bullying anytime they turn on the computer and log on any of the social networks. Teachers and counselors need to make students of the signs and provide a system for the students to make reports and notify authorities. Social Networking sites are not the only place, but students need to be aware of texting, instant messaging, and on-line chat rooms could provide potential arenas for this negative behavior.

Any measure of prevention is worth more than repairing damages after the fact. The school district should establish clear procedures for teachers to teach and enforce cyber ethics, safety, and bullying. References Hitchcock, J.A. 2007. Cyberbullies, online predators, and what to do about them. //MultiMedia & Internet@Schools.// 14(3), 13-15. Joseph, Linda C. 2007. Keeping safe in cyberspace. //MultiMedia & Internet@Schools.// 14(1), 17-20. Kruger, Robert. 2003. Discussing cyber ethics with students is critical. //Social Studies.// 94(4), 188-189.