Cyber-Bullying: What Can We Do?

In an environment where more education is needed in schools to combat cyber-bullying, how can we keep children safe at home and in the community whilst using technology, and what threats does the use of technology bring? How can we help the 10 per cent of Australian students who suffer from sustained cyber bullying? These are some of the questions we posed as a team of Grade 5/6 teachers at Manor Lakes College. Having seen the dominant role that technology plays in the lives of young people, we identified the necessity to explicitly teach cyber safety strategies to our students.
Our students were involved in a rich and relevant Inquiry unit that sat close to their hearts, and as teachers we made tremendous discoveries about our very own net generation. By immersing students in a cyber environment, we armed them with strategies to identify and manage cyber-situations where their safety could be jeopardised. Throughout the Inquiry, students were involved in a range of web-based applications from the Australian Communications and Media Authority and were given opportunities to create their own school-based cyber safe Wiki and parent expo afternoon. Gail, Kate and Andrew will share their students’ learning, the challenges and the successes of this inquiry.

References

http://www.watoday.com.au/breaking-news-national/time-to-fight-cyberbull... accessed: 27/07/2009

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/07/23/2633775.htm accessed 27/07/2009

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